Motorists could be in for a nasty surprise for using their mobile phone while sitting in the passenger seat of a car for making a simple mistake. Offending drivers could be handed a £200 fine and penalty points while in the passenger seat in certain circumstances. The context of why is if they are conducting a driving lesson, according to information on Gov.uk. If you are supervising a learner driver on a lesson then you are legally responsible for the car so can, therefore, land a fine for committing offences.

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This means it is illegal for the instructor to touch their phone while sitting in the passenger seat.

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Research, said: "Supervising a learner actually puts you in the driving seat so legally you must treat it in the same way as if you were behind the wheel.

"Learning to drive is stressful enough without a passenger beside you who is more worried about posting than parking."

Mobile phone driving laws were introduced in December 2003 which saw motorists handed a £60 fine for an offence before rising to £100 in 2013.