If you’ve taken driving lessons before, you may have come across a driving instructor who doesn’t seem like the real deal. The media can often portray instructors in a negative light, showing how some can be “scheming” and take advantage of their customers. However, sometimes the situation can be more serious than this, as some driving instructors may even be teaching people to drive without being properly registered or approved. This can be very dangerous, so we wanted to give you a heads-up on what to look out for when it comes to illegal driving instructors.
Avoid Illegal Driving Instructors
Section 123 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 prohibits drivers from receiving monetary payments for offering driving instructor services, unless they have passed the Driving Standards Agency (DVSA) three-part instructor’s test. When they are legally able to teach, a driving instructor will have a licence to do so, granting them legal permission to be paid to teach others how to drive.
All licensed driving instructors have to, by law, display an appropriate licence clearly in the front windscreen of their car (or your car if you are using it) whilst they are providing paid tuition. If they do not have this clearly displayed, then you have reason to question whether they are qualified to teach you.
Driving Instructor Licences
The licence will be one of the following two:
- A pink licence that has a triangle on it. This shows that the driving instructor is a trainee.
- A green licence that has an octagon on it. This shows that the instructor is fully qualified.
Whether it is green or pink, each will show a valid date and a unique driving instructor number, along with a photograph of the instructor on the other side of the licence.
A professional instructor should always have their licence on show. There can even be a fine, up to £1000, for anyone who does not have it on display for their pupils to see.
Always ensure that you have taken a look at their licence. A friendly face, dual controls, and a roof sign may make someone look professional, but this certainly isn’t always the case.
Dangers Of An Illegal Driving Instructor
Driving instructors and all other national instructors must undergo driving instructor CRB checks, known formally as Disclosure and Barring Service checks, before they are legally allowed to teach learners. These are checks that are carried out to identify if someone has any criminal convictions, cautions, or other history that might make them unsuitable or unsafe to teach others, including children and vulnerable adults.
Driving instructors have an enhanced CRB check carried out regularly, and the DVSA uses them to prevent people who flag up on them from either receiving a PDI licence or joining the ADI register. This prevents you from getting into a car with someone who is deemed “unsuitable” to teach. If you are taking driving lessons with an illegal driving instructor, these checks would not have been made, which may possibly put your safety at risk.
Furthermore, if you are learning to drive with an illegal instructor, you do not know where they have learnt to be an instructor. Both PDI and ADI instructors have to go through long, intensive training before they can teach, from thoroughly vetted trainers, and they are assessed at each step of the way to ensure that their tuition is up to standard. An illegal instructor may not have done any training. They may not be teaching you safe or modern driving methods, and as such, the likelihood of you passing your driving test when you are evaluated is minimal. They may also not be holding suitable instructor’s insurance.
We always follow the saying that “you get what you pay for”. Very cheap driving lessons may indicate a sign of illegal driving instruction, so be very careful when choosing an instructor. Whatever amount you are paying for your lessons, you want to know it is not going down the drain, and that you are receiving quality tuition. Always ensure you are in safe hands.
Ensure You Receive Quality Driving Tuition
At driveJohnson’s, we take great pride in our modern and proven tuition techniques. Our driving instructors are all qualified to teach and have completed a recent standards check, receiving either a grade A or B.
We once had a pupil who came to us for driving lessons in Kettering after having a bad experience with an illegal instructor. The “instructor” had a reliable-looking website, roof sign, and seemed friendly, which led the pupil to believe that they were the real deal. After paying for almost ten lessons and noticing no progress at all, they started to become suspicious as the instructor seemed to have almost no knowledge of manoeuvres or even the UK driving test. The pupil asked to see their licence, which they could not prove, so they reported them. They then came to us, and the instructor we paired them with helped them learn more in one lesson than they had in ten!
What To Do If You Suspect Someone Is An Illegal Driving Instructor
If you suspect that someone may be working as a driving instructor illegally, it is very important that they are reported as soon as possible because they pose a serious risk to you and to others on the road.
The first step is to gather as much information as possible about them. If possible, note down the following:
- Their name
- Contact information
- Vehicle registration number
- The area they are working in
- Any proof that they are charging people for driving lessons
Keep any messages you have received from them, or screenshots of any ads or posts you see advertising their lessons online.
Do not confront them yourself. It is much more effective and safer to go to the relevant authorities.
How To Report An Illegal Driving Instructor
In the UK, you can report an illegal driving instructor to the DVSA online or by contacting their fraud and integrity team at enquiries@dvsa.gov.uk or 0800 030 4103. They will then investigate the instructor and confirm whether they are properly licensed.
You can make a report anonymously, and once submitted, if the instructor is found to be operating illegally, they will face the proper penalties, including fines, bans, or prosecution. They will be stopped from carrying out lessons illegally and prevented from misleading other learners.
Illegal driving instructors are more common than you might think. After 20 years of providing driving lessons in Milton Keynes, even we were shocked to see a recent incident happen right on our doorstep. On 9th October 2025, an instructor was pulled over in Bletchley for giving lessons without the proper qualifications. The pupil had no idea they’d been paying someone who wasn’t licensed to teach.
Final Thoughts On Protecting Learners From Illegal Driving Instructors
Every learner driver should be able to have trust in their driving instructor’s ability to safely and expertly teach them, without being ripped off. Illegal driving instruction is not a victimless crime – they exploit learners and receive payment for teaching skills they have not learnt.
If you suspect someone of being an illegal driving instructor, it is important to report them and keep the roads safer for everyone. If you still have any questions about illegal driving instructors, please feel free to call us on 03301244877, and we will answer any questions.
Written by Anthony Johnson
Grade A - 51/51
ORDIT Registered Trainer
