Menu
25/04/2008
Illegal Driving Instructor Warning Issued To Learner Drivers
Environment Minister, Arlene Foster, today warned learner drivers of the dangers of taking lessons from illegal driving instructors.
Commenting on the issue, the Minister said: "Illegal instructors don’t have the necessary qualifications to teach and may not have proper insurance. Most alarmingly, they may not have undergone the rigorous repute checks that driving instructors must pass before they are able to teach on a one-to-one basis.
"Learner drivers could be putting themselves at serious risk if they take lessons from illegal, uninsured or potentially dangerous instructors," she added.
The Minister outlined a number of steps that learner drivers could take to make sure their driving instructor is approved and authorised to give lessons. She said: "Illegal instructors may appear legitimate; the instructors may advertise in local newspapers, have dual controls fitted and have their vehicles covered with logos.
"Later this year we will have legislation to require qualified instructors to display their licences but until then, learners can easily check the status of their instructor by calling the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Section of the Driver & Vehicle Agency or ask the instructor for their ADI certificate or Trainee Licence (paying careful attention to the expiry date).
"If none exists, they should not take lessons with this person. It is important to make these checks even if an instructor has taught others that you know. Parents paying for lessons should ask to see the driving instructor’s licence before handing over money for lessons."
(JM/KMcA)
Commenting on the issue, the Minister said: "Illegal instructors don’t have the necessary qualifications to teach and may not have proper insurance. Most alarmingly, they may not have undergone the rigorous repute checks that driving instructors must pass before they are able to teach on a one-to-one basis.
"Learner drivers could be putting themselves at serious risk if they take lessons from illegal, uninsured or potentially dangerous instructors," she added.
The Minister outlined a number of steps that learner drivers could take to make sure their driving instructor is approved and authorised to give lessons. She said: "Illegal instructors may appear legitimate; the instructors may advertise in local newspapers, have dual controls fitted and have their vehicles covered with logos.
"Later this year we will have legislation to require qualified instructors to display their licences but until then, learners can easily check the status of their instructor by calling the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Section of the Driver & Vehicle Agency or ask the instructor for their ADI certificate or Trainee Licence (paying careful attention to the expiry date).
"If none exists, they should not take lessons with this person. It is important to make these checks even if an instructor has taught others that you know. Parents paying for lessons should ask to see the driving instructor’s licence before handing over money for lessons."
(JM/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
31 October 2007
Search Called Off As Body Taken From River
The search for a man believed to have jumped into the River Bann in Coleraine has been called off. Police have indicated the body recovered from the water near Castlerock’s Barmouth yesterday was that of the missing man. They are now no longer looking for the person seen jumping from the Sandelford Bridge in Coleraine on Monday.
Search Called Off As Body Taken From River
The search for a man believed to have jumped into the River Bann in Coleraine has been called off. Police have indicated the body recovered from the water near Castlerock’s Barmouth yesterday was that of the missing man. They are now no longer looking for the person seen jumping from the Sandelford Bridge in Coleraine on Monday.
16 April 2024
Alliance Welcomes Economic Affairs Childcare Review
The Alliance Party has welcomed the news that the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly Economic Affairs Committee will conduct an inquiry into childcare. The committee will seek evidence from a wide range of interested parties as part of a review into the importance of childcare as economic infrastructure across the UK and Ireland.
Alliance Welcomes Economic Affairs Childcare Review
The Alliance Party has welcomed the news that the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly Economic Affairs Committee will conduct an inquiry into childcare. The committee will seek evidence from a wide range of interested parties as part of a review into the importance of childcare as economic infrastructure across the UK and Ireland.
10 July 2012
DVA Stopped Female Driving Instructor From Training Further
A female driving test examiner has been awarded £9,000 in sex discrimination compensation after she was stopped from going on a training course. Frances Colvin, 47, from Moneymore, County Londonderry, said her "stand against unfair treatment" was important for all women.
DVA Stopped Female Driving Instructor From Training Further
A female driving test examiner has been awarded £9,000 in sex discrimination compensation after she was stopped from going on a training course. Frances Colvin, 47, from Moneymore, County Londonderry, said her "stand against unfair treatment" was important for all women.
29 May 2012
Shake-up For Learner Drivers In The Pipeline
The Environment Minister has tabled plans that amount to a radical shake-up of the rules for learner drivers. Teenagers could be able to get behind the wheel at the age of 16-and-a-half, and the 45mph speed limit for new drivers could be scrapped.
Shake-up For Learner Drivers In The Pipeline
The Environment Minister has tabled plans that amount to a radical shake-up of the rules for learner drivers. Teenagers could be able to get behind the wheel at the age of 16-and-a-half, and the 45mph speed limit for new drivers could be scrapped.
19 March 2024
Renewed Appeal For Help Tracing Paula Elliott
The PSNI have issued a fresh appeal for help in tracing the whereabouts of Paula Elliott, who was last seen on Tuesday, 05 March. The 52-year-old was last seen on CCTV cameras leaving the Sprucefield Court area of Lisburn at 5.30pm, before making her way to Warren Gardens at around 5.36pm.
Renewed Appeal For Help Tracing Paula Elliott
The PSNI have issued a fresh appeal for help in tracing the whereabouts of Paula Elliott, who was last seen on Tuesday, 05 March. The 52-year-old was last seen on CCTV cameras leaving the Sprucefield Court area of Lisburn at 5.30pm, before making her way to Warren Gardens at around 5.36pm.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Low cloud, mist or fog at first will clear through the morning to leave a dry day with some prolonged sunny spells through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 21 °C.Tonight:Dry with clear spells for most places through the evening and overnight will allow the odd mist or fog patch to form. Coastal low cloud spreads into northern counties. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
