Tank crushes learner driver's car in Germany, causing almost £9,000 worth of damage

The driver didn't see the convoy of tanks before a vehicle crushed her car

A British 'Challenger 2' tank after it rolled over a car's front in Lippe, Germany (EPA/POLICE DEPARTMENT LIPPE / HANDOUTPolizei Lippe)

Learner drivers have a lot to be nervous about when they first hit the road – but having their car crushed by a tank is unlikely to be high on their list of worries.

But an 18-year-old in Lippe, west Germany was faced with this unusual problem, after she inadvertently drove into the path of a convoy of British tanks.

Lars Risserbusch, a spokesman for Lippe police, said the teenager had not seen the fleet when she turned left in front of it.

Luckily, the 62-ton tank leading the group was able to stop in time to save her life, but not before it destroyed the front of her Toyota hatchback.

The tanks, which are stationed at the British base in nearby Paderborn, were making their way to a training exercise though a military manoeuvre area that is also open to the public.

Police estimate 12,000 euros' (£8,700) worth of damage was done to the woman's car.

Unsurprisingly, the tank was unscathed.

A British army spokesperson told BBC's Newsbeat: “Our driving crews go through a very vigorous process before being allowed on the roads and both crews and vehicles are checked regularly.

"It is something we do take very, very seriously, especially with beasts of that size travelling on public roads."

Additional reporting by AP