How to Make Sure Your Driving Instructor is Qualified and DVSA-Approved

DVSA approved Driving Instructor

When you’re ready to start learning to drive, it’s essential to make sure your driving instructor is qualified to teach you. Only DVSA-registered instructors are legally allowed to give driving lessons and charge for them. Learning from someone who isn’t properly qualified can put you and others at risk. Here’s why checking your instructor’s qualifications matters and how to do it.

Why Does It Matter to Learn from a DVSA-Approved Instructor?

The Law
A driving instructor must be either an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) or hold a trainee licence. If not, they’re breaking the law by charging you for lessons. Only ADIs are allowed to take payment for their services.
Proper Qualifications
To become an ADI, an instructor must pass several tests and complete a rigorous training program. They also undergo regular checks to ensure they meet DVSA standards.
Safety
Qualified instructors are vetted by the DVSA, including criminal record checks. They follow strict safety rules, ensuring you learn how to drive safely. Your driving instructor is responsible for your safety during lessons and for preparing you to take to the roads unsupervised. If they’re not properly qualified, they could end up passing on their bad habits to you. If you’re not taught the right skills, you could not only fail your driving test, but also end up endangering yourself and other road users.
Insurance Risks
If your instructor is unqualified, they may not have the necessary insurance, which could put you at even greater risk while learning. if you’re learning with an illegal instructor, odds are, they’re not properly insured.
If you’re taking lessons with an unqualified driver, they won’t know the standard of driving required to pass the driving test, so your chances of getting your licence is greatly reduced.

How to Check if Your Instructor is DVSA-Approved

Check the DVSA’s Instructor Database
Use the DVSA’s “Find your nearest driving instructors” tool to search for qualified instructors in your area. This database is a great way to see if your instructor is registered, along with their contact details. You’ll also be able to see if an ADI has committed to a voluntary Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme and if they have agreed to abide by the ADI Code of Practice (CoP). Can’t find your instructor on the list? Don’t start to panic, the database is purely voluntary. In other words, ADIs choose whether or not they want to be included on the list.
Look for the Instructor’s Badge
Qualified instructors will display a badge in their windscreen. A green octagonal badge means they’re a fully approved ADI, while a pink triangular badge indicates they’re a trainee instructor.
Ask Directly or Contact the DVSA
If you can’t find your instructor’s name in the database or they don’t have a badge, you can always contact the DVSA directly to confirm their status. Using the following contact details: DVSA Customer Support adireg@dvsa.gov.uk Telephone: 0300 200 1122 Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm

What to Do If Your Instructor Isn’t DVSA-Approved

If you suspect that your instructor isn’t properly qualified, it’s important to take action. You can report unqualified instructors to the DVSA’s counter-fraud team.

Feel like you’re going a bit overboard? The DVSA takes this matter very seriously and looks into every report. So, if you’re reasonably sure, you should definitely get in touch:

DVSA Counter-fraud and Integrity Team cfi@dvsa.gov.uk Telephone: 0300 123 3248 Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

How to Avoid Unqualified Instructors

To make sure you learn with a qualified instructor, ask for recommendations from family and friends. You can also search the DVSA database or check online reviews to ensure the instructor you’re considering is properly qualified.

By following these simple steps, you can rest assured that you’re learning from a professional instructor who will teach you the right skills for passing your driving test and staying safe on the roads.

The easiest way of making sure you’re learning with qualified instructors is to use a driving school like Elite, or a trusted online booking platform like book driving lessons.

If you have any questions please email support@elite-driving-school.co.uk