Lee Little v Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors

Facts

The appellant, Lee Little, was an Approved Driving Instructor. About a month after his name was entered on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors, he committed a drink driving offence (DR10) on 2 November 2025. He was convicted in the Magistrates' Court in November 2025 and disqualified from driving for 9 months. The Tribunal's reasons give the conviction date as both 18 and 28 November 2025. The disqualification ended on 17 August 2026. The Registrar removed his name from the Register under section 128(2)(b) and (e) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, with regard to section 125(3)(d) of the Act, on the basis that he was no longer a fit and proper person to remain on it. The Tribunal's formal decision dates the Registrar's decision 2 February 2026, but the reasons elsewhere give 20 August 2026. The appellant had also failed to notify the Registrar of the offence, which he put down to depression. He appealed on 20 February 2026, arguing that removal was disproportionate given the full context and his unblemished record. He said he had been the victim of domestic abuse that day and had driven in a panic. He accepted full responsibility, relied on character references, and asked to be reinstated when his disqualification ended. The Registrar pointed out that, once removed, he could not apply to be restored until 4 years after the disqualification expired. The appeal was heard by CVP on 24 August 2026.