FT/D/2025/0576 - [2025] UKFTT 01266 (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 Part 3 examination.

I accept that the Appellant has experienced difficult and stressful personal circumstances involving the health of their child. This occurred at a time that coincided with the period when they had anticipated gaining more teaching experience in readiness for the Part 3 test. I recognise that these personal circumstances will have impacted upon the Appellant’s progress.

However, having failed the Part 3 test twice, the Appellant subsequently cancelled test dates on three more occasions for which no explanation is provided. The Appellant has already had the benefit of a trainee licence for just under 18 months. But for the appeal, a third licence would be about to expire had it been granted. In effect the Appellant has already had the benefit of a third 6-month trainee licence.

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. The trainee license is not a substitute for taking and passing 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 the circumstances, I am not satisfied that the Registrar’s decision was wrong, and the appeal is dismissed.