Robert Graham Tearle 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, together covering twelve months from 17 March 2025 to 16 March 2026. A trainee licence enables its holder to instruct for payment while seeking to qualify, and qualification requires passing a three-part examination under the Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) Regulations 2005. He failed the Part III instructional ability and fitness test twice, on 18 July 2025 and 16 October 2025. On 2 March 2026 he applied to the Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors for a third licence. After considering his representations, the Registrar refused the application by correspondence dated 21 April 2026. Because he had applied before the second licence expired, section 129(6) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 meant that licence remained in force pending the appeal. In his notice of appeal, dated 22 April 2026, he explained that he had sat the first attempt too early, changed training provider, and sat the second attempt under financial and family stress, and said that further training had since improved his teaching. He asked for the appeal to be decided on the papers. He did not take part in the remote hearing, and the Registrar was not represented. The appeal came before the First-tier Tribunal (General Regulatory Chamber).