Zara Arif v Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors

Facts

The Appellant, Zara Arif, held a first trainee driving instructor licence issued by the Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors. On 31 December 2025 she applied for a second trainee licence. In representations made on 23 January 2026 she explained that she had suffered episodes of ill-health and a miscarriage on 2 December 2025, which had forced her to take time away from training. By decision dated 24 February 2026 the Respondent refused the application. He relied on the Appellant's failure to provide a training record within three months of the first licence, and on the absence of any completed training hours in that period, which Part 5(15)(3)(a) of the Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) Regulations 2005 was said to require. He added that a trainee licence was not intended to remain available for however long it took to pass the Part 3 test. The Appellant appealed by notice dated 27 April 2026, elaborating on her ill-health and pregnancy loss. The Respondent's Response of 27 July 2026 repeated his reasons. It recorded that she had failed her first Part 3 attempt on 9 April 2026 and that a second attempt was booked but on hold. The appeal was determined on the papers with the parties' agreement.