FT/D/2025/0332 - [2025] UKFTT 01268 (GRC)

The outcome sought in the Notice of Appeal is an extension of the trainee licence until the Appellant’s third and final attempt at the ADI Part 3 examination.

I accept that the Appellant experienced difficulties with gaining the required training with his original sponsor and that this impacted upon his progress. Whilst I note that there were delays in securing Part 3 test dates, the Appellant was offered test dates.

The Appellant has already had trainee licences covering a period of 12 months. Furthermore, the Appellant has had the benefit of a further period of over 8 months up until the hearing date. Had the application for a third trainee licence been granted it would have expired by now.

The overall period in which the Appellant has been able to give driving instruction should have provided a reasonable opportunity to obtain the practical experience envisaged by the Act.

Furthermore, the Appellant’s third and final attempt at passing the Part 3 test is booked for 28 October 2025 i.e. 4 days after the hearing. That being so, I am not satisfied that granting a new licence would serve the required purpose of section 129(1) of the Act of enabling the Appellant to acquire the practical experience required in giving driving instruction to take the test. It is not the purpose of trainee licences to keep renewing them until all attempts at passing Part 3 have been taken.

In any event, should the Appellant be unsuccessful on that final occasion, then a third trainee licence would immediately expire the day after by operation of Regulation 14 of the Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) Regulations 2005.

Having weighed all matters in the balance, I am not satisfied that the Registrar’s decision was wrong. I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.