§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on policy regarding the reinstatement of driving instructors found guilty of sex offences; what is the present policy on such reinstatement; and what recent changes have been made. [29971]
§ Mr. NorrisFollowing a recent case, the matter was taken up by one of the national associations that represent approved driving instructors and by a local instructor.
Under part V of the Road Traffic Act 1988, the registrar of approved driving instructors has to be satisfied that an instructor is a "fit and proper person" to be an ADI. A conviction of the sort referred to would be viewed most seriously by the registrar, leading potentially to removal from the ADI register. He might well also decide that such a person could never again be a "fit and proper person". As a matter of administrative law, the registrar's discretion under the Act cannot be fettered so that he is committed to any specific course of action in every case and he cannot refuse to consider any fresh application on its merits.
There have been no recent changes in how these matters are dealt with.