Criminal record checks for driving instructors

How the Approved Driving Instructor Registrar deals with criminal records

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) uses the services of the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Disclosure Scotland to obtain criminal record disclosures which DSA uses to assess the suitability of people applying for inclusion on the Register of Approved Driving Instructors. DSA will consider the various factors related to any offences and convictions, and the circumstances surrounding them.

This means that if you do have a criminal record, you may still be able to become an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI). In order to judge whether or not you are 'fit and proper' to join the ADI Register, the DSA will assess the risk that you're likely to pose to your pupils. They will consider factors such as:

• whether your conviction is relevant
• the seriousness of the offence
• the length of time since the offence occurred
• whether there is a pattern of offending behaviour
• the circumstances surrounding the offence and any explanation or defence

However, your application is unlikely to be successful - regardless of when the offences were committed - if you have been convicted of any of the following offences:

• serious
• violent
• sexual
• financial
• drug

The DSA is also unlikely to accept applications if your name is - or has been - on the Sex Offenders' Register, or if you are or have been banned from working with children.

Subjects covered in this guide

• Introduction
• Applying for your driving instructor criminal record check
• How to obtain a criminal record check when renewing and re-registering your Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) registration
• How the information in your driving instructor criminal record report is used
• How the Approved Driving Instructor Registrar deals with criminal records
• Making criminal record report disputes and appeals

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