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First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) |
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You are here: BAILII >> Databases >> First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber) >> Chaudhry v Registrar for Approved Driving Instructors [2025] UKFTT 383 (GRC) (01 April 2025) URL: http://www.bailii.org/uk/cases/UKFTT/GRC/2025/383.html Cite as: [2025] UKFTT 383 (GRC) |
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(General Regulatory Chamber)
Transport
Adjourned on: 11 February 2025 Heard on: 25 March 2025 |
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B e f o r e :
TRIBUNAL MEMBER RAWSTHORN
TRIBUNAL MEMBER SMITH
____________________
ASHAN JAVAID CHAUDHRY |
Appellant |
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- and - |
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THE REGISTRAR FOR APPROVED DRIVING INSTRUCTORS |
Respondent |
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For the Appellant: the Appellant appeared in person
For the Respondent: Mr Russell
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Crown Copyright ©
Decision: The Appeal is Dismissed
Relevant Law
"(1) A Licence under this section is granted for the purpose of enabling a person to acquire practical experience in giving instruction in driving motor cars with a view to undergoing such part of the examination referred to in section 125(3)(a) as consists of a practical test of ability and fitness to instruct"
".....I do not accept that the scope of the "fit and proper person" condition is as narrow as Mr Leviseur contended. Of course, a central question is an applicant's fitness to be a driving instructor – that he has the requisite instructional ability and driving ability and that he does not pose a risk in any respect to his pupils or other users of the road. The "fit and proper person" condition has obvious relevance to that issue, though the more technical aspects are covered by other, more specific conditions relating to tests, driving licence and the like. But the condition is not simply that the applicant is a fit and proper person to be a driving instructor; it is that he is a fit and proper person to have his name entered in the register. Registration carries with it an official seal of approval: those registered are known as "Driving Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructors".
"The Registrar must, on making a decision on an application under subsection (2) above, give notice in writing of the decision to the applicant which, in the case of a decision to refuse the application, must state the grounds of the refusal"
"(2) Where the driver of a vehicle is alleged to be guilty of an offence to which this section applies—
(a)the person keeping the vehicle shall give such information as to the identity of the driver as he may be required to give by or on behalf of a chief officer of police ...and
(b)any other person shall if required as stated above give any information which it is in his power to give and may lead to identification of the driver.
(3)Subject to the following provisions, a person who fails to comply with a requirement under subsection (2) above shall be guilty of an offence.
(4)A person shall not be guilty of an offence by virtue of paragraph (a) of subsection (2) above if he shows that he did not know and could not with reasonable diligence have ascertained who the driver of the vehicle was."
"It's also unlikely that you'll be classed as a 'fit and proper' person if you've been found guilty of...: failing to give information as to the identity of the driver"
Role of the Tribunal
" A person who is aggrieved by a decision of the Registrar—
(a)to refuse an application for the grant of a Licence under this Part of this Act, or
(b)to revoke such a Licence,
may appeal to the First-tier Tribunal."
"(a)for the grant or refusal of the application
or,
(b)for the removal or the retention of the name in the register, or the revocation or continuation of the Licence,
(as the case may be) as it thinks fit."
"45...the proper conclusion....can only be stated in very general terms. It is right in all cases that the magistrates' court should pay careful attention to the reasons given by the licensing authority for arriving at the decision under appeal, bearing in mind that Parliament has chosen to place responsibility for making such decisions on local authorities. The weight which the magistrates should ultimately attach to those reasons must be a matter for their judgment in all the circumstances, taking into account the fullness and clarity of the reasons, the nature of the issues and the evidence given on the appeal."
Evidence and matters considered
Chronology
(a) on 30 November 2023 one of the Appellant's relatives, while driving the Appellant's car (with permission), is alleged to have committed a speeding offence.
(b) on 11 December 2023 the Appellant was accepted as a potential driving instructor.
(c) the Appellant passed Part 1 on 11 April 2024
(d) on 21 May 2024 the Appellant was convicted of failing to identify the driver (20) who had committed the speeding offence.
(e) on 5 June 2024 (18) the Appellant told the Registrar that he had received 6 penalty points.
(f) on 6 June 2024 the Registrar wrote to the Appellant and warned him that while he would not be prevented from taking the qualifying examinations (17):-
"It is highly possible that the Registrar will refuse an application for a trainee licence or to have your name entered onto the Register, when you have passed the instructional ability test (ADI part 3), with 6 penalty points on your licence"
(g) the Appellant passed his ADI part 2 on 1 July 2024 (18).
(h) on 22 August 2024 the Appellant applied for a Licence (19).
(i) on 29 August 2024 the Registrar gave the Appellant notice that he was considering refusing the Appellant's application and invited him to make representation although this step was not a requirement of the Act (21).
(j) the Appellant made representations on 2 September 2024 (22).
(k) the Decision (namely to refuse the application for a Licence) was made and reported to the Appellant by letter of the 13 September 2024 (1 & 23).
The Appeal
The Registrar's position
"However, an applicant with penalty points on their licence must satisfy the Registrar that they are a 'fit and proper' person to be an Approved Driving Instructor. It is highly possible that the Registrar will refuse an application for a trainee licence or to have your name entered onto the Register, when you have passed the instructional ability test (ADI part 3), with 6 penalty points on your licence."
"The Registrar has now taken into consideration the representations made by you in your email of 2nd September 2024 but, in accordance with section 129(4) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (as amended), I now give you notice that the Registrar has decided to refuse your application on the grounds that you do not meet the condition in Section125 (3)(e), that is, you cannot be considered a 'fit and proper' person to become an Approved Driving Instructor. He came to this conclusion because of the following: Conviction received on the 21st May 2024 (date of offence 30th November 2023) for MS90 -failure to give information as to identity of driver etc for which you received 6 penalty points and a £415.00 fine."
a) The Appellants driving licence is currently endorsed with 6 penalty points having been convicted for failure to give information as to identity of driver etc (MS90). The conditions for entry onto the Register extend beyond instructional ability alone and require that the applicant is a fit and proper person. As such, account is taken of a person's character, behaviour and standard of conduct. Anyone who is an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) is expected to have standards of driving and behaviour above that of the ordinary motorist. Teaching (generally) young people to drive as a profession is a responsible and demanding task and should only be entrusted to those with high standards and a keen regard for road safety. In committing these offences, I do not believe that the appellant has displayed the level of responsibility or commitment to improving road safety that I would expect to see from a potential ADI.
b) The Government increased the payment levels for serious road safety offences such as speeding, the requirement to control a vehicle (including mobile phone use), passing red traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and wearing a seatbelt. These offences contribute to a significant number of casualties. For example, in 2018 excessive speed contributed to 177 deaths, 1,251 serious injuries and 3,224 minor accidents, using a mobile phone contributed to 25 deaths, 92 serious injuries and 306 minor accidents; and careless driving, reckless, or in a hurry contributed to 252 deaths, 3,208 serious injuries and 9,466 minor accidents.
c) As an officer of the Secretary of State charged with compiling and maintaining the Register on her behalf, I do not consider that I can condone motoring offences of this nature. To do so would effectively sanction such behaviour, if those who transgress were allowed entry onto an official Register that allows them to teach others.
d) It would be offensive to other ADIs and persons trying to qualify as ADIs, who had been scrupulous in observing the law, for me to ignore these motoring convictions.
The Appellant's case
"The points were assigned due to a violation that occurred involving a family relative who was driving my vehicle. At the time of the incident, my relative had borrowed my car with my permission. A notice of the violation was sent to him directly, as he was the driver at the time. However, despite my numerous attempts to contact him and encourage him to respond to the notice and take responsibility for the violation, he failed to do so. This lack of response from him resulted in the points being unjustly added to my driving record. I have always prioritized safe and responsible driving, which is reflected in my clean driving license over the past 15 years. This incident was an unfortunate and isolated event that does not represent my driving behaviour or standards. I am committed to upholding the highest standards of road safety, both in my personal driving and in my potential role as a driving instructor."
"My motivation for pursuing this new career path is driven by my desire to better support my family and provide a more flexible and rewarding future for my children. I am confident that my background, skills, and dedication align with the qualities needed to be an exceptional driving instructor. I have already passed my first part of ADI and second part is booked on 1 july 2024."
"The points were assigned to my driving record due to a violation that occurred while a family member was driving my car. At the time, my relative had borrowed my vehicle with my permission, and I was not present in the vehicle when the violation took place. A notice of the violation was sent to me as the registered owner of the vehicle. Upon receiving the notice, I immediately took action by reaching out to my relative, who was the actual driver at the time of the incident, to provide his information to the authorities as required. I made numerous attempts to contact my relative, involving me going to his house to inform him, to ensure he submitted his details to resolve the matter correctly. Despite my best efforts and repeated requests, my relative failed to respond or provide the necessary information to take responsibility for the violation. This lack of cooperation and accountability on his part led to the violation being attributed to me simply because I am the vehicle's owner. It is important to emphasize that I was not the driver at the time of the violation, and I had no control over my relative's actions while he was operating my vehicle. I took all reasonable steps within my capacity to rectify the situation by trying to redirect the violation to the actual driver. Unfortunately, his failure to act in a timely manner resulted in the points being wrongly applied to my driving record. The violation and subsequent points are not a reflection of my driving behavior or actions, but rather the consequence of another individual's failure to fulfill their responsibilities as the driver."
(a) his passion for becoming an ADI and that "this career is a crucial opportunity for me to provide my children with a better standard of living and ensure our family's financial stability"
(b) how being an ADI would help his financial and family life and in practical terms for example by being able to spend more time with his children due to the flexibility the role offers.
(c) his performance as a manager at Currys and his commitment to helping others.
(d) his confidence about becoming a capable and responsible ADI.
(e) how refusal of a Licence would "significantly hinder my ability to move forward in this new career path"
(a) he knew the identity of the driver but did not feel able to reveal that persons name because it was a family member who had done a lot for him in the past.
(b) he did what he could through his family and directly to get the driver to deal with the issue but they failed to do so.
(c) he thinks that had the driver come forward only 3 points would have been given for the speeding offence in question as opposed to the 6 given to him.
(d) he is a responsible person and works as a store manager for Curry's with over 50 people reporting to him.
Review
"It's also unlikely that you'll be classed as a 'fit and proper' person if you've been found guilty of...: failing to give information as to the identity of the driver"
Decision
Signed Tribunal Judge Heald
Date: 31 March 2025.