Thousands of Brits unknowingly use unlicensed driving instructors – how to spot a dodgy on-road teacher
THOUSANDS of Brits are unknowingly using dodgy driving instructors when going for their licence. Taking lessons from a dodgy on-road instructor could endanger your life and mean you won’t be covered by insurance in case of an accident. Freedom of Information data from the DVSA reveal 961 reports for illegal driving instructors were made over […]
THOUSANDS of Brits are unknowingly using dodgy driving instructors when going for their licence.
Taking lessons from a dodgy on-road instructor could endanger your life and mean you won’t be covered by insurance in case of an accident.
Freedom of Information data from the DVSA reveal 961 reports for illegal driving instructors were made over the past five years.
But only 18 of these reports secured a conviction, as it can be difficult to prove that money has changed hands between a learner and instructor.
Section 123 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 states driving instruction for payment can only be given by registered or licensed persons.
More than 40,000 instructors are currently regulated by the DVSA, with every instructor forced to display an in-date badge on their windscreen.
How to spot a dodgy driving instructor
- All driving instructors must display an in-date badge on their screen.
- A pink badge indicates a trainee (a Potential Driving Instructor) who can teach for six months while gaining teaching experience.
- A green badge shows an instructor (Approved Driving Instructor) is fully qualified and undergoes DVSA checks
- The badge should carry the instructor’s photograph, a unique reference number and an expiry date
- You can check for a licenced driving instructor here
- If suspicious, you can report your driving instructor by calling the DVSA on 03001233248 or emailing cfi@dvsa.gov.uk
A pink badge indicates a trainee instructor, otherwise known as a Potential Driving Instructor, who can teach for six months while acquiring experience.
An instructor displaying a green badge, an Approved Driving Instructor, is someone who is fully qualified and regularly undergoes DVSA checks.
In a bid to stamp out the behaviour, the DVSA began prosecuting alleged illegal driving in its own-house counter fraud and investigations team last financial year.
Tom Preston, managing director of Hippo Leasing, said: “Due to the nature of driving lessons, learners are in a particularly vulnerable position, alone in a car with a stranger for long periods of time.
“If a driving instructor isn’t approved by the DVSA, there is no guarantee of personal or vehicle safety.
“The DVSA heavily relies on witnesses coming forward to prevent illegal driving instructors from operating.”
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Andy Rice, head of counter-fraud and investigations at the DVSA, said: “It’s essential that all drivers demonstrate they have the right skills, knowledge and attitude to drive safely and the result of their test is entirely dependent on their performance on the day.
“Illegal driving instructors pose a threat to learners and the general public alike. They often use uninsured vehicles, lack the proper training or are otherwise unfit to instruct the next generation of drivers.
“We have stringent measures in place to detect fraud and bring offenders to justice, and DVSA will always seek the strongest possible punishment.”
Last month, we revealed a record number of learners had been cheating on their driving test using stand-in replacements.
If caught using an impersonator or sitting a test for another driver, you can be hit with a driving ban, community service order or even a prison sentence.