Paul Henry Simms v The Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors

Facts

The appellant, Paul Henry Simms, was an approved driving instructor of some 25 years' standing whose name the Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors decided to remove from the Register. The Registrar's reasons were that the appellant had accrued penalty points for speeding, the decision referring to offending on 4 June 2025 and 12 June 2025, and that the offending was serious such that allowing him to remain on the Register would undermine public confidence in it. The appellant's notice of appeal, dated 16 December 2025, explained that he had not provided details earlier because he had been abroad attending upon his mother, who was unwell. His grounds appeared to refer to three offences. He did not accept that he had been exceeding the speed limit on the first two occasions, both recorded at the same time of day a few days apart and at the same speed of 35mph; his challenge was not upheld, and he undertook a speed awareness course for one and received three points for the other. He accepted the third offence, travelling at 24mph in a 20mph limit in an unfamiliar area, as a momentary lapse of concentration, for which he received three further points. He contended that removal was disproportionate and would have an enormous impact on his livelihood. Although listed for an oral hearing, the appellant did not attend and asked for a paper determination, the Registrar adopting a neutral stance.