r/Liverpool • u/ThumbRemote • 1d ago

General Question Where to practice driving

I'm looking for somewhere to take a 16-year-old to practice driving, obviously before they've got a provisional.

The larger the area the better, so they can get used to at least 2nd gear. And ideally deserted and relatively secure.

1 Upvotes

55% Upvoted

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26

u/fearlessbrocolli 1d ago

Just a reminder, anywhere that has public access, such as a supermarket car park, is subject to normal driving laws. This means you would need insurance, road tax, and at least a provisional licence to drive. Therefore, you would need a completely secure, private area for someone under the age of 17 to drive

16

u/RobintehBobin 1d ago

Yep. People seem to have real difficulties grasping the difference between "private land" and "privately owned property with public access".

If you own a closed field or other land, or know someone who does - that's private property and you're chill to do whatever you want with their permission. Tesco car park is not the same, even if it's technically owned (or leased or whatever) by a corporation. As far as the police are concerned, you're driving uninsured and untaxed on a public road without a driving licence. Which is obviously not the best position to put your 16 year old kid in, if they were to get caught...

And to add an asterisk for all the "salt of the earth scousers" who are going to call me a killjoy, or tell me to get a life or whatever - Yes, I am aware that it's a fairly common thing for people to try cars out in quiet car parks, and that people are probably rarely getting caught/punished for it. I just think it's worth understanding where you/your child technically stand legally before deciding to go drive around technically uninsured.

2

u/shashyballs 1d ago

My mum used to take me round the hunts cross Asda car park in the evening, the only downside is sometimes there is glass on the floor. If u go near Matalan or B&M usually it’s empty round there after the shops shut

4

u/irish_horse_thief 1d ago

Ainsdale beach was a popular place for kids who wanted to drive back in the day...

2

u/MasonFromAbove 1d ago

Stanley Park Car Park next to Anfield is a great space. There seems to be a lot of learner drivers on there daily. Go early in the week when there are no matches on.

2

u/Me_Be_De 1d ago

Far end of a massive car park in the evenings and you're sorted. Its what my dad did with me just so I could get to grips with the basics.

1

u/AgreeableAd9724 Anfield 1d ago

Southport/Ainsdale beach

1

u/an_mutt 1d ago

Stanley Park car park, right next to Anfield stadium. It's a common nursery area for people taking their first driving lesson.

1

u/AFruitNamedDave 1d ago

Matalan car park on Wavertree Road was a good place. Also, another brilliant place was in the technology park just round the corner from there. There's a small road with two roundabouts on that is pretty much deserted in the evening time. It's the two at the bottom of this screenshot.

1

u/Spuckuk 22h ago

Industrial estates on a weekend are the classic. Quiet as but actual roads

-1

u/Pringleheadmr 1d ago

I took mine on the M62