Megan Jack v Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors

Facts

The appellant, Megan Jack, was a trainee driving instructor working towards registration as an Approved Driving Instructor. She had previously held two trainee licences covering the period 23 October 2023 to 22 October 2024, and was granted a further trainee licence running from 4 August 2025 to 3 February 2026. On 3 February 2026 she applied to the Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors for a second trainee licence. The Registrar refused that application on 20 March 2026 under s.129(4) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, on the ground that she had not complied with the conditions of her first licence, her training objectives on Form ADI 21AT not having been completed within the first three months. In reaching that decision the Registrar took account of representations received on 11 February 2026 that she had struggled to obtain a Part 3 test date and that her trainer had been diagnosed with terminal cancer during the licence period, so that her training was put on hold until her sponsor could provide a replacement trainer. She appealed by notice dated 25 March 2026, explaining that the replacement trainer was located some distance away and had to fit her around his own commitments, and that she had ultimately completed the required hours. She failed her first Part 3 attempt on 15 June 2026; a second attempt was booked but on hold. The appeal was heard remotely by CVP on 2 September 2026, the appellant attending and giving evidence, with no representative for the Registrar.