Question regarding joining Flittermouse Grotto

So I’ve been wanting to get into caving more seriously by joining my local grotto but I have a few concerns. 1: I am 15 so I can’t yet drive myself without a parent/guardian present in the car, which may be an issue depending on where and when I need to go to places, and I’m not sure if the grotto even allows minors to join in the first place. My parents are in support of it and would ok with me joining. 2: General lack of knowledge around safe caving or being a burden on the group. 3: Lack of resources and gear. I read a post on here about a grotto instructor who was tired of lending gear to people and wanting to quit because everyone was just kind of mooching off of him for lack of a better word, and I would hate to be that guy who has to borrow stuff every time.

Off topic question at the end: why is soliciting cave locations in the UK and Slovenia allowed? I understand why it’s disallowed in the us and other places but why is it ok in those two countries? Thank you!