Parents who teach learner drivers pass on their own bad habits

Fathers and mothers could turn their offspring into dangerous motorists by passing on their bad habits, a report warns today.

Nearly eight out of ten driving instructors say youngsters taught by their parents can prove a menace on the road because of mistakes they copy.

These include failure to check the mirrors, crossing hands while steering, speeding, 'tailgating' or driving too close to the car in front, and answering a mobile phone while driving.

The research comes from BSM, formerly the British School of Motoring. Its report reveals major concerns about teenagers who receive informal tuition from adult relatives.

Based on a survey of 617 instructors, it acknowledges: "Teaching teenagers can be a frustrating and thankless task for parents as they struggle to prepare their children for a test that bears little resemblance to the one that they took two or three decades ago.

It is therefore not surprising that almost eight in ten instructors believe learners can pick up bad habits when taught by their parents."

It adds: "An additional problem can be the emotional fallout when parents teach their children to drive.' Fifty-nine per cent of instructors say they have given advice to learners who have 'fallen out with their parents while driving'.

However 88 per cent of instructors believe extra practice sessions supervised by parents are beneficial. Almost as many, 84 per cent, accept that learners taken out by their parents learn more quickly.

But 79 per cent say it raises the likelihood of picking up bad habits.

An overwhelming majority of instructors, 88 per cent, say parents should undergo a 'refresher' course before taking children out in their car and more than half (54 per cent) want this to be mandatory.

BSM managing director Mike Hutter said: "The most important thing is that learners are taught to learn to drive for life, not just to pass their test.

This is clearly more challenging for those young people who are facing increased pressure to pass or those that are being taught bad habits by their parents."

The report reveals misplaced confidence among male learners. Sixty-nine per cent of instructors reported that men have more confidence in their ability.

But fewer than a third (29 per cent) believe that men pass their test more quickly than women.

Older learners appear to have better road sense than their younger counterparts, according to 52 per cent of instructors, but 64 per cent say they have less confidence in their ability to control the car.

The report coincides with pressure on the Government from MPs to introduce a minimum 12-month training period for new drivers - effectively increasing the driving age to 18 - and a zero alcohol limit in the first year.

THEORY TEST 'STEALTH TAX' UP 33 per cent

Learner drivers face a 33 per cent leap in the cost of the theory test --with more rises in the pipeline.

It could soon see the full cost of passing a test first time go through the £100 barrier.

The price rise is being seen as yet another Government 'stealth tax', and it is feared it could cause more drivers to take to the road without a licence.

The fee for car and motorcycle candidates taking the written test - using multiple choice questions on a computer screen - will rise by £7 from £21.50 to £28.50 on September 3.

The Government's Driving Standards Agency says the rise reflects the cost of the extra questions the test includes and will improve road safety.

The practical test fee went up by £3 to £48.50 on April 1 last year and will rise another £8 to £56.50 on April 1 next year.

That will make the total cost of passing a test the first time £85.

At present, learners taking the theory test face 35 questions and have to get 30 right.

From September 3, they will be set 50 questions and will have to get 43 correct to pass.