Case of illegal driving instructor not unusual (From Enfield Independent)

Case of illegal driving instructor not unusual

3:52pm Thursday 3rd September 2009

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THE case of Deekan Vig who made thousands of pounds giving illegal driving tuition is not unusual, according to the Driving Standards Agency.

Vig, 40, of Southgate, conned three pupils out of £3,300 in driving tuition fees, though is likely to have made thousands of pounds more from the four years he gave lessons illegally, Wood Green Crown Court heard today. Under the Road Traffic Act, it is against the law to take money for driving tuition unless you are a qualified instructor.

The Head of Fraud and Integrity at the DSA, Andy Rice, said the case was about average in severity compared with the 600 cases of suspected illegal driving instructors currently being investigated across the UK.

He said: “There are all sorts of dangers if you don’t regulate tuition. We have to ensure roads are safe for drivers and pedestrians. We also do things like Criminal Records Bureau checks on the instructors to ensure they don’t pose a risk. If you have a driving lesson from someone you are alone with them for an hour at a time.”

He said: “Approved driving instructors charge an average of £20 to £25 per hour and illegal ones tend to charge less, which is why it is attractive to some people.”

Vig was investigated after DSA examiners raised the alarm at driving test centres in Winchmore Hill, as well as Barnet, and Chingford.

DSA’s registrar of driving instructors, Charles Morton, said: “Our message is clear: if you are not an ADI or a Trainee Licence holder and teach for money or monies worth, you can expect to face ever-increasing penalties.

He said: “It is very simple to check that a driving instructor is qualified. Ensure they display an in-date pink or green badge in their windscreen during lessons and that the photo on the badge matches the person providing the instruction.

“The pink badge indicates that they have trainee status and are entitled to give paid instruction whilst acquiring practical experience. The green badge indicates their name is on The Register of Approved Driving Instructors, they are fully qualified to give paid instruction and are subject to regular checks by DSA.”

To report illegal tuition call the DSA on: 02920 581155

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