Saadat Ahmad Tahir v The Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors

Facts

The appellant, Saadat Ahmad Tahir, was working towards registration as an approved driving instructor. To qualify, candidates must pass the Qualifying Examination, comprising a written examination (Part 1), a driving ability and fitness test (Part 2) and an instructional ability and fitness test (Part 3), with three attempts permitted at each part and the whole examination to be completed within two years of passing Part 1. A trainee licence granted under section 129 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 allows a candidate to give paid instruction before qualifying. The appellant had been granted two consecutive trainee licences, valid from 9 September 2024 to 8 September 2025. On 3 September 2025 he applied for a further licence. The Registrar wrote on 4 September 2025 indicating that he was minded to refuse, and invited representations, which the appellant made by email of 15 September 2025. By email of 29 September 2025 the Registrar refused the application. The appellant appealed to the First-tier Tribunal, relying on his caring commitments for his mother, assistance given to his father-in-law following surgery, the departure of his trainer and difficulties in finding students. The Registrar, who did not attend, resisted the appeal in a written response dated 15 December 2025.