Driving: instruction
This briefing paper summarises the law surrounding Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs), changes affecting them since 1997 and current proposals for further reform.
The major changes to driving instruction instituted under the Labour Government were the introduction of the Hazard Perception Test in 2004 and new rules to allow for the suspension of ADIs who are awaiting removal from the Register. This latter change followed a Private Member’s Bill in 2009 on the back of a sexual assault case.
The Coalition Government legislated to level the playing field for ADIs with a disability, but other proposed reforms since 2013, such as replacing the current three qualifying tests with a vocational qualification; improving the current tests; and replacing the trainee licence with a requirement for trainee instructors to be accompanied by ADIs when providing paid instruction, have yet to be implemented.
Other papers on driver licensing and training can be found on the Roads Topical Page of the Parliament website.