We have signed the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor Code of Practice. This is a voluntary agreement that instructors will act in a professional, ethical and respectful manner. The Code of Practice is detailed below.

Introduction
An approved driving instructor who gives lessons in a motor car in return for payment must be on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors (ADI’s). To gain entry to the register prospective instructors must pass a series of examinations administered by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). People training to become ADI’s who have part completed the examinations can obtain from the Agency a licence to acquire practical experience which is strictly limited to six months. Once fully qualified and on the register, ADI’s are regularly tested by the DVSA to check their continued ability to give instruction to the required standards. DVSA and the driving instruction industry place great emphasis on professional standards and business ethics. The code of practice set out here has been agreed between the DVSA and the main bodies representing ADI’s; it is a framework within which all instructors should operate.

Personal Conduct
The instructor will at all times behave in a professional manner towards clients. Clients will be treated with respect and consideration. The instructor will try to avoid physical contact with the client except in an emergency or in the normal course of greeting. Whilst reserving the right to decide against giving tuition, the instructor will not act in any way which contravenes legislation on discrimination.

Business dealings
The instructor will safeguard and account for any monies paid in advance by the client in respect of driving lessons, test fees or for any other purpose and will make the details available on request. The instructor should provide clients with a written copy of there terms of business to include:

• Legal indemnity of the school/instructor with full address and telephone number at which the instructor or there representative can be contacted.
• The price and duration of lessons.
• The price and conditions for use of the school car for the practical driving test.
• The terms under which cancellation by either party may take.

The instructor should check a client’s entitlement to drive the vehicle and their ability to read a number plate at the statutory distance on the first lesson. When presenting a client for the practical driving test the instructor should check that the client has all the necessary documentation to enable them to take the test and that the vehicle is roadworthy. Instructors will advise clients when to apply for the theory and practical driving tests, taking into account local waiting times and forecast of the clients’ potential for achieving the driving test pass standard. The instructor will not cancel or rearrange the driving test without the clients agreement. In the event of the instructors decision to withhold the use of the school car for the driving test , sufficient notice should be given to the client to avoid the loss of the DVSA test fee. The instructor should at all times, to the best of his/her ability, endeavour to teach the client the correct driving skills according to DVSA’s recommended syllabus.

Advertising
Advertising of driving tuition shall be honest; claims made shall be capable of verification and comply with the codes of practice set down by the advertising standards authority. Advertising that refers to clients pass rates should not be open to misinterpretation and the basis for which the calculation is made should be made clear.

Complaints
Complaints by clients should be made in the first instance to the driving instructor / driving school / contractor following the complaints procedure issued.

Failing agreement or settlement of a dispute, reference may be made to DVSA’s Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors who will consider the matter and advise accordingly.

Should the Registrar not be able to settle the dispute he or she may set up a panel, with representatives from the ADI industry, to consider the matter further or advise that the matter should be referred to the courts or other statutory body to be determined.

For further information or advice, write to:

The ADI Registrar
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Stanley House
56 Talbot Street
Nottingham
NG1 5GU
Telephone: 0115-901-2500