Zakya Bi Sadeeq v The Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors

Facts

The appellant, Zakya Bi Sadeeq, was an approved driving instructor whose name appeared on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors. On 30 November 2025 she used a mobile phone while driving a car and in consequence accrued six penalty points. On 19 March 2026 the Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors removed her name from the Register on the ground that she was no longer a fit and proper person to be on it, taking the view that the offending was serious and that allowing her to remain would undermine confidence in the Register. The appellant appealed to the First-tier Tribunal by a Notice of Appeal dated 6 April 2025. She accepted the offence but contended that removal was disproportionate: she had a clean record before the event, save for one traffic offence ten years earlier, and had learnt from what had happened. She explained that she had been travelling on a red route in a courtesy car which was not connecting properly to her phone, and had picked up the phone to enter a sat nav location. Character references spoke of her in high regard. The Registrar's response was that the offence was serious, that instructors teaching often young people bore particular responsibilities, and that a clear message had to be sent. The appeal was determined at an oral hearing held by CVP on 13 August 2026, the appellant appearing unrepresented and the Registrar being represented by Mr Ahtiq Raja of the DVSA Appeals team.