Tatjana Hain v Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors

Facts

The appellant, Tatjana Hain, was a trainee driving instructor seeking registration as an approved driving instructor. To qualify, an applicant must pass a three-part examination — the written examination, the driving ability and fitness test, and the instructional ability and fitness test — under regulation 3(2) of the Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) Regulations 2005, and a trainee licence may be granted under section 129 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 once the driving ability and fitness test has been passed. Such a licence permits instruction for payment before qualification. The appellant held a trainee licence valid from 11 August 2025 to 10 February 2026, subject to the condition in regulation 15(3) of the Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) Regulations 2005 requiring 20 hours of supplementary training within the first three months. Her record of training was signed only on 26 January 2026. On 27 January 2026 she applied for a second licence. The Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors notified her on 4 February 2026 that refusal was under consideration, received her representations, and refused the application by email dated 16 March 2026, citing non-compliance with the training condition and her failure to reach the qualifying standard. She appealed to the First-tier Tribunal, asking that the appeal be determined on the papers.