Beware of unlicenced driving instructors - what to look out for...

On 26 February 2008, the BBC programme "The One Show" highlighted the fact that there is a growing problem with unlicenced instructors giving driving tuition illegally. These instructors are more often than not, untrained and their vehicles are frequently uninsured for the purposes of driving tuition which could mean serious consequences in the event of an accident...

To read a synopsis of the programme and to see an online video of the report featured on the show please click the following link - BBC - The One Show - Driving Instructors.

A driving instructor MUST have their name entered on the register of driving instructors held by the Driving Standards Agency. It is illegal for anyone other than a DSA licenced driving instructor to give driving instruction in exchange for money.

A fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) must display their licence (green octagon) on the windscreen of his/her tuition vehicle at all times when giving driving tuition in exchange for payment.

If the instructor is a trainee (Potential Driving Instructor/PDI), they must display their licence (pink triangle) on the windscreen of his/her tuition vehicle at all times when giving driving tuition in exchange for payment.

IF THERE'S NO LICENCE DISPLAYED ASK TO SEE IT - the instructor may simply have forgotten to stick it back on the windscreen after washing the car...or it may mean that the person you are paying to teach you is acting illegally...

You can check if someone offering driving tuition is registered at the ADI branch of the Driving Standards Agency:
Email: ADIReg@dsa.gsi.gov.uk
Phone: 0115 901 2618