FT/D/2025/0386/FPP - [2025] UKFTT 01264 (GRC)

The Appellant's case

There is no dispute that speeding offences occurred and the points were incurred and that he did not tell the Registrar about them as required.

In his letter of 23 January 2025 the Appellant said that non-disclosure of the points was an oversight which he deeply regretted. In the appeal he said that he did not realise he needed to report the points. He referred to this issue being caused by "ignorance not wilful neglect."

As regards the speeding offences the Appellant told us about the two incidents that led to the penalty points and also revealed, when questioned, that he had previously been on a speed awareness course.

As regards the June 2024 incident he told us that he was driving on a road that had recently been changed to one with a 20 mph speed limit down from 30 mph. The same was the case for the November 2024 incident where he was on a dual carriageway that had recently been reduced to a limit of 20 mph. He confirmed that he was aware of the June points before committing the November offence.

In his letter of 23 January 2025 the Appellant said that he had been "...struggling to adjust to a reduced speed limit in my local area which changed from 30mph to 20mph. On these occasions I was travelling at 24mph and 26mph respectively..."

In his reasons for appeal he also said "...These were areas where recent speed limit changes had been introduced...Some zones had active enforcement, while others did not, creating uncertainty."

He said that the speeding was brief, involved only very "minor speed variations" and he did not exceed the limits intentionally. As soon as he realised his error he reduced his speed. He was not reckless or dangerous. In his appeal he also said that:-

"Aside from these minor speed-related incidents, I have never been convicted of any criminal offences or been in any legal trouble.

I have never faced complaints or disciplinary action that would call my professional conduct into question.

I take road safety seriously and have always promoted lawful and responsible driving practices"

Other points made by the Appellant included:-

he is committed to ongoing professional development.

these were his only convictions in 25 years.

losing his ADI status would impact him financially.

not being able to teach would impact his pupils who rely on his guidance.

The Appellant produced a number of character references which we noted. These included:-

a pupil who spoke highly of his teaching ability.

the owner of his driving school who spoke of him for example being "the cornerstone of the business" who spoke of the steps all were taking to be better informed in monthly meetings about the changes to speed limits as they occurred. As regards the incidents she said:-

"These were minor excesses and do not reflect Trevor's usual driving behaviour or his commitment to road safety. In over two decades I have known him only as a careful responsible driver who leads by example"

a friend who said for example:-

"During this time Mr Morton has shown remorse and found this a very distressing time with a negative impact on his family life. Mr Morton has a wife, children and grandchildren. To have Mr Morton lose his position as a driving instructor would have a detrimental effect on his family as he is the main financial provider."

a fellow ADI who said for example:-

"..I know that many of us have struggled with the recent and on going speed limit changes which continue to cause confusion and difficulty even for experienced professionals."

a former Police Inspector who was training to be an ADI and had lessons with the Appellant said, amongst other things:-

"...I want to assure you that Trevor is both fit and proper..."

"Whilst two fixed penalty notices in five months for similar offences could indicate a degree of carelessness I seek to persuade you that these are wholly exceptional events when taken in the wider context of 25 years "clean " driving".