Muhammad Afzal v The Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors [2026] UKFTT 924 (GRC)
Background to Appeal
[1]This appeal concerns a decision of the Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors (“the Registrar”) made 12th December 2025 to refuse to grant the Appellant a third trainee licence.[2]The Appellant was a trainee driving instructor who was granted a trainee licence under s.129 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/part/V/crossheading/licences (‘the Act’) for a six-month period, and then another, but was refused a further licence at the end of the relevant period.[3]The Registrar’s reasons for refusal, in summary, were that the Appellant had not passed the final part of the ADI qualifying examination within the relevant period and as insufficient evidence of loss of training time was supplied that the Appellant had had long enough to progress, and the application to issue a third trainee licence was therefore refused.[4]The Appellant appeals the Registrar’s decision.Appeal to the Tribunal
[5]The Appellant’s Notice of Appeal, dated 22nd December 2025, relied on grounds that he needed to travel abroad to see relatives and a bereavement had significantly affected his ability to train. He also said delays getting test dates had not helped.[6]The Respondent submitted a Response indicating that the decision letter sets out their position.[7]Latterly, via GRC5 form, the Appellant points out that he failed his final test on 8th June 2026 and therefore seeks his appeal be struck out.Mode of Determination
[8]The case was determined on the papers, after the Appellant’s admitted failed third Part 3 attempt. The Tribunal considered the papers and came to the conclusion that such a determination was fair and appropriate, and in accordance with the Tribunal Rules and the wider interests of justice.Conclusion
[9]The Tribunal considered carefully all the papers before it.[10]The Appeal fails as the Appellant has failed his Part 3 examination three times. Regulation 14(b) of the Motor Cars (Driving Instructor) Regulations 2005 makes it plain that trainee instructors have 3 attempt to pass their Part 3 examination and having failed in that regard the licence then issued ceases to have effect. Accordingly the appeal is struck out as having no merit.[11]The Appellant is thanked for his assistance in contacting the Tribunal and asking that this matter be resolved.[12]This appeal is struck out. (Signed) HHJ David Dixon 13. DATE: 18th June 2026