Donald Mugisa v Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors

Facts

The appellant, Mr Donald Mugisa, held a trainee licence under which, as a potential driving instructor, he could give paid instruction in driving motor cars from 12 January 2026 to 11 July 2026. He told the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency that unmarked police had stopped him after seeing him with his mobile phone in his hand while in control of his vehicle. He accepted a fixed penalty and six penalty points for a CU80 offence (breach of requirements as to control of the vehicle, including mobile phone use). In emails to the Agency, he explained that he had been driving home on a motorway from an unfamiliar area after his fiancée rang him with a health emergency. His phone had died, and he picked it up to recharge it and reopen the Waze navigation app. On 2 March 2026 the Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors revoked his trainee licence under section 130(5) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, deciding that he was no longer a fit and proper person to remain on the register. The appellant appealed to the First-tier Tribunal. He accepted responsibility, expressed remorse and pointed to his clean record, the stress he was under at the time and the corrective steps he had taken since. He argued that revocation was disproportionate. The Registrar opposed the appeal, relying on the higher standards expected of instructors and the need to maintain public confidence in the register. The appeal was heard by video, and later by telephone, on 9 September 2026.