Conditions to be an accompanist
B licence held continuously for 5+ years
The accompanist must hold the B licence uninterruptedly for at least 5 years at signature of the AAC contract. A recent suspension or cancellation (even short) resets the 5 years.
No licence withdrawal for serious offence in the past 5 years
No court cancellation, no 6-point withdrawal in a single offence (alcohol, drugs, major speeding). A simple administrative suspension under 3 months is generally tolerated.
Insurer's agreement
The accompanist must be declared to the vehicle's auto insurance. Some companies charge a supplement (€20–50/year), others include it for free. Check before signing the AAC contract.
Who can be an accompanist?
Parents or step-parents
The most frequent case (85% of AAC in 2026). No particular formality, simple parental agreement and signature of the file with the school.
A brother, sister, uncle, aunt
Allowed if the above conditions are met. Warn them they'll need to be available for frequent trips (minimum 3,000 km over 1–3 years).
A close family friend
Allowed. Write a simple agreement (not mandatory, but useful in case of insurance dispute) specifying each accompanist's role and contacts.
Several simultaneous accompanists
Allowed up to 3 accompanists. Very useful if parents work a lot: a parent + an uncle + a friend can take turns.
Duties of the accompanist
Attend an initial 2h meeting
With the school, before accompanied driving starts. Goal: understand the educational role, learn to correct without demeaning, know the learning stages.
Attend the 3 pedagogical check-ins
After 1,000 km, 2,000 km and 3,000 km, the learner returns to the school for a 2h review with the accompanist. Cost included in the AAC package (€500–900).
No alcohol or drugs
The accompanist must be able to take the wheel at any time. Subject to the same rules as a driver: 0.5 g/L max, drugs forbidden.
Mandatory "A" sticker
The "A" (apprentice) sticker must be on the rear of the vehicle throughout the AAC period. Other drivers must respect tighter limits in the AAC zone.
Rights and limits of the accompanist
The accompanist can drive themselves at any time (they hold the licence). But they cannot officially evaluate the learner: only the school issues the favourable exam opinion.
The pedagogical role: keys to success
Positive attitude, patience
Avoid shouting or belittling on small errors. AAC is about building confidence. Best exam results (80% pass vs 55% in classic training) come from AAC with caring accompanists.
Correct without sounding critical
Rather than "you brake too late", say "try to start braking 2 seconds earlier next time". Positive rephrasing works much better.
Vary situations
During 3,000 km: city centre, ring road, country road, motorway, night, rain, bad weather, tolls, complex roundabouts. Examiners spot instantly when a candidate has never seen some situations.
Next step
How to get the right support?
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