Parbhuram Pundarikakshan v Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors

Facts

The appellant was a trainee driving instructor who held two trainee licences granted under section 129 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, valid together from 24 March 2025 to 23 March 2026. Such a licence allows the holder to give paid instruction while working towards qualification as an approved driving instructor. The appellant failed the Part III instructional ability and fitness test on 28 January 2026. On 8 March 2026 he applied for a third licence. The Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors invited representations and, by letter dated 29 April 2026, refused the application. The Registrar gave general reasons, namely that trainee licences are not an alternative to registration and are meant to give a limited period of experience. The Registrar also gave reasons specific to the appellant: he had not reached the required standard despite ample time and opportunity, and refusal did not prevent him from sitting the test. The appellant appealed, saying the licence period was too short to develop the necessary competence, that long DVSA waiting times had allowed him only one Part 3 attempt, that he had stayed committed and complied with his licence conditions, and that refusal was disproportionate. The appeal was determined on the papers in his absence, at his request, after he said he had not received notice of the hearing.