15 Year Old Driving On Private Land

[HenryFord]

Hello. My daughter (15) is desperate to learn to drive. My father in law is lucky enough to live on a country estate, about 1000 acres (it has public access, but is closed to the public in the evening). He has offered to take my daughter out in a car for a few lessons. Is this legal? Can I get insurance, do I need insurance. Who is responsible if she has an accident? All help much appreciated

[Hopkirk]

I think (but am not sure) that you need to be insured if driving somewhere that the public have access to.

[237SJ]

I don't know if the law has changed (I don't think so) but most of my farmer friends learned to drive on their private land with no problems. It's a good way to learn - my best friend only needed seven lesssons after driving on her farm and passed her test first time.

[Baldric]

I learned to drive on our private land with no problems.
You could not insure a 15 year old to drive.
She has an accident you pay.

[237SJ]

If you are driving around in your own land you don' t really need insurance anyway as there will be no third party involved

[New Judge]

Be very careful if using an area to which other vehicles have "unfettered access". Many sections of the Road Traffic Act (including those covering licence and insurance requirements) apply to roads or "other public places". There is no legal definition of "other public places" but generally if other drivers can drive their vehicles there it will be considered as such.

Even if the area is not subject to compulsory insurance for vehicles, if damage or injury is caused to a Third Party the driver, or owner, or landowner may be liable if neglience is proved.

[Arrods]

.... and there is currently a Dept for Transport consultation on the implications of the (European) Vnuk case which would make it compulsory to have TP motor insurance on private land.