Anyone who is a qualified driver and who holds a current full driving licance can supervise and teach another person to drive a car provided that other person holds a valid provisional licence. What they are not allowed to do is to charge money, or money’s worth, for that instruction unless they are registered to do so under Part V of Road Traffic Act 1988. This provides that

“No paid instruction in the driving of a motor car shall be given unless—
(a) the name of the person giving the instruction is in the register of approved instructors established in pursuance of section 23 of the M1 Road Traffic Act 1962 (in this Part of this Act referred to as “the register”), or
(b) the person giving the instruction is the holder of a current licence granted under this Part of this Act authorising him to give such instruction.”

To become a driving instructor you must qualify as an Approved Driving Instructor with the Driving Standards Agency. This ensures that an acceptable standard of tuition is provided to those who are registered as driving instructors.

The effect of this legislation is that an ofence will be committed by anyone who charges (either money or monies worth) for instruction in driving a motorcar. Indeed, the legislation is drafted so widely that it is an offence even if the money is paid by a third party – that is to say someone other than the person receiving the instruction.

In addition to provisions relating to the need for a licence, Part V of the Road Traffic Act 1988 also makes it an offence to give paid instruction, unless:

“there is fixed to and exhibited on that motor car in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations either—
(a) a certificate in such form as may be so prescribed that the name of the person giving the instruction is in the register, or
(b) a current licence granted under this Part of this Act authorising the person giving the instruction to give such instruction.”

If you have been charged with a driving instruction related offence, contact keepmedriving, either by completing the appropriate online information form which you will find in the Getting Help section, or by requesting a free, no-obligation call-back using the call-back form to the right of this section or by phoning us during office hours on 084 4804 4804