Ramzan Choudry Muhammad v The Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors

Facts

The appellant, Ramzan Choudry Muhammad, wished to be admitted to the Register of Approved Driving Instructors maintained by the Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors. In applying to begin the approved driving instructor qualification process, he disclosed a motoring offence. By letter dated 23 April 2026 the Registrar told him that it was highly unlikely that any application would succeed until such time as he had only three penalty points on his licence, and invited him to apply again nearer the time when that would be so. On 17 July 2026 the appellant lodged an appeal with the First-tier Tribunal by way of form GRC1, attaching the letter and stating that the outcome he sought was for the Tribunal to allow his appeal and direct the Registrar to admit him to the Register. The Registrar applied on form GRC5 dated 27 July 2026 to strike out the appeal under rule 8(3)(c) on the footing that the letter was not a decision carrying a right of appeal to the Tribunal, the Registrar's practice being to give applicants direction before they spend money on qualifying. Judge McMahon directed the appellant to make representations on the strike-out application by 2 September 2026. None was received.