Guidance

Approved driving instructors: appeal a registration decision

How to appeal to an independent tribunal if you disagree with a decision about your trainee licence or registration as a driving instructor.

• From: HM Courts & Tribunals Service
• Published: 17 November 2014
• Last updated: 31 January 2024 — See all updates

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

What you can appeal against

You can appeal to the tribunal if the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Registrar:

• refuses to give you a trainee licence
• removes your trainee licence
• refuses to extend your trainee licence
• refuses to enter or keep your name on the register
• removes your name from the register

Your case will be dealt with by a tribunal in the General Regulatory Chamber.

The tribunal is independent of the government, and will listen to both sides of the argument before it reaches a decision.

If you or your representative is outside the UK and wants to give live video or audio evidence, contact the tribunal to request it. Tell the tribunal what country you or the representative is in and what type of evidence is being given. You must do this as soon as possible.

Time limits for appealing

You have a limited time to appeal after the ADI Registrar sends you their decision:

• trainee instructors: 14 days
• approved driving instructors: 28 days

How to appeal

Complete the relevant General Regulatory Chamber (First-tier Tribunal) form.

Clearly say why you want to appeal against the decision.

Include any supporting documents, like the ADI Registrar’s decision.

Send the form to grc@justice.gov.uk or:

General Regulatory Chamber
HM Courts & Tribunals Service
PO Box 9300
Leicester
LE1 8DJ

Telephone: 0300 123 4504
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

Tribunal staff can explain how the process works, but they cannot give you legal advice.

What happens next

The tribunal will write to you about the next steps, and tell you if there will be a hearing to decide on your case.

Transport hearings are normally held in London, Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Find out more about General Regulatory Chamber hearings and decisions.

Legislation and rules

You can find rules on driving instructor appeals under the:

• Road Traffic Act 1988
• Transport Act 2000
• Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) Regulations 2005

Read more detailed rules on how your case will be handled:

• General Regulatory Chamber procedure rules

Previous decisions

Read decisions on previous transport appeals.

Published 17 November 2014
Last updated 31 January 2024 + show all updates

1. 31 January 2024

   Updated the how to appeal section with a link to the General Regulatory Chamber (First-tier Tribunal) forms collection.

2. 6 October 2022

   Changed telephone number for GRC and fixed broken link

3. 27 July 2018

   Update email address.

4. 26 September 2016

   New appeal form

5. 26 June 2015

   Removed references to London service permit and postal service appeals, which are now handled by the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber).

6. 17 November 2014

   First published.