Bogus driving instructor given suspended sentence

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has delivered a stark warning to bogus driving instructors who flout the law by illegally teaching learner drivers.

Offender Deekan Vig, of Southgate, was today sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court to six months' imprisonment suspended for 12 months on condition that he does 100 hours of unpaid community work. He was found guilty of three charges of fraud by misrepresentation at an earlier trial.

Vig, 40, made up to £4, 000 by conning three learner drivers into believing he was an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). It is illegal to receive money or monies worth in exchange for driving tuition unless you are a qualified, registered ADI.

Suspicions about him were raised by DSA examiners at driving test centres across north London - including Barnet, Chingford and Winchmore - who reported that the illegal instructor was presenting candidates for test, and a successful investigation was launched.

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.

"Illegal instructors are a danger to the public. They have not been assessed by us to ensure they are able to provide driving instruction to required standards."

Mr Morton continued: "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 ensure their continued competence and suitability to give instruction."

The head of the DSA Fraud and Integrity Team, Andy Rice, added: "We investigate all reported cases of suspected illegal instruction and work closely with the police and criminal justice agencies to identify offenders and prosecute."

If you have any doubts about whether your driving instructor is teaching you legally, call DSA on: 02920 581155