The Driving Standards Agency’s Fraud and Integrity Team has in February carried out an operation against illegal driving instructors operating in Burton on Trent, Staffordshire.
Two marked police cars were used to stop several vehicles displaying L-plates or other driving school-style decoration.
Candidates were asked if they had paid for instruction and instructors were asked to provide evidence of their entitlement to charge for giving lessons. Only Approved Driving Instructors are legally allowed to take payment.
During the operation, 21 vehicles were stopped and the instructors’ accreditation checked. All the driving instructors stopped had the correct documents.
DSA’s Chief Executive Rosemary Thew accompanied members of the Fraud and Integrity Team and Staffordshire Police officers on the operation, which began at 8am.
Rosemary Thew said: "Operations of this nature are a vital part of our attempts to halt illegal driving instruction and I was delighted to see at first-hand this valuable work being carried out.
"I would like to thank all the approved driving instructors and members of the public who continue to give us information about illegal instruction.
"It is largely through their efforts that we are able to continue our effective work in bringing illegal driving instructors to justice."
DSA Deputy Head of Fraud and Integrity Michelle Moston added: "Illegal driving instructors potentially put other road users at risk, as well as the people they are teaching.
"They have often not undergone any background checks, or an assessment of their ability to drive or teach. Their car insurance may also be invalid."
Before an individual is allowed to register as an Approved Driving Instructor they are assessed by DSA to ensure that they are ‘fit and proper’ and that they have a high standard of driving and instructional ability. This includes criminal record checks.
Qualified driving instructors should display an in-date licence in their windscreen during lessons.
A green badge shows that they are fully qualified and are subject to regular checks by DSA to ensure their continued competence and suitability to give instruction.
A pink badge indicates that they have trainee status and are entitled to give paid instruction while acquiring practical experience.
Pupils should also ensure that the photo on the badge matches that of the person providing the instruction.
If you have concerns that a driving instructor may be teaching illegally, the DSA Fraud and Integrity Team can be contacted on 02920 581155 or by emailing [email protected]
