Last year, the Driving Standards Agency uncovered a deeply worrying statistic – the number of unlicensed driving instructors offering unknowing pupils ‘lessons’ and operating under the pretence of being fully qualified ADIs.
To advertise and work as a DSA-approved driving instructor (or ADI), teachers have to go through a rigorous period of training and examinations to be able to call themselves ADIs. From 2011 to 2013, when the DVSA and the Police carried out a series of 30 roadside checks, more than 123 people were arrested for offences linked to illegal driving instruction. A total of 39 were convicted and a further 31 received official Police cautions, according to the DSA.
Despite the relatively small number of convictions, both the Police and the DSA believe that this is an ongoing problem, and one that could be potentially dangerous for learners. Police warned that learners who get into a vehicle with an unlicensed driving instructor is as dangerous as getting into an unlicensed minicab. Not only has the person not undergone the rigorous training that fully qualified ADIs have to complete, but they have also not been subject to the obligatory criminal background checks either.
Missing out on key driving skills
They also risk missing out on learning key driving skills from a fully trained professional, which could result in the learner not only failing their test, but also potentially – and much more serious – having a road traffic accident due to incorrect training.
The DSA’s Head of Fraud and Integrity, Andy Rice, said at the time: “We urge all learners to ensure their instructor is qualified to teach by checking they display a valid DSA badge in their windscreen. Learners can also use the free ‘Find a driving instructor’ service on GOV.UK to see details of their nearest instructors who are approved and registered with the Driving Standards Agency.
“All approved driving instructors undergo regular assessments of their ability to teach and are also CRB checked.”
His words are still relevant one year later, and although illegal driving instruction scams (for that’s essentially what they are) are rare, pupils would be well advised to double check that any instructor they learn with is properly qualified, carries the appropriate driving instructor insurance and is registered as an ADI.
It is not illegal for qualified drivers to accompany novice drivers out on the road, and indeed the majority of young drivers’ first on-road experienced is supplied and overseen by mum or dad. However, to ensure that they get the correct tuition to both pass their test and, more importantly, to teach them to be safe, responsible drivers, they do need to seek out an experienced, properly insured and fully qualified driving instructor.