DSA press release
Bogus driving instructor punished
• Mariam Bibi duped learner drivers
• Fined a combined £215 after pleading guilty
• Driving Standards Agency issues stark warning to fraudsters
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) has delivered a stark warning to bogus driving instructors who flout the law by illegally teaching learner drivers.
Offender Mariam Bibi, of Sheffield, today admitted one charge of fraud by misrepresentation at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court. She was fined £100 and ordered to pay £100 costs towards the case, plus an additional victims’ surcharge of £15.
Bibi, 29, was struck off The Register of Approved Driving Instructors in October 2008 after failing to meet the standard of instruction required. However, she continued to teach illegally, duping learner drivers into believing she was still an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI).
It is against the law to receive money or monies worth in exchange for driving tuition unless you are a qualified, registered ADI.
Suspicions about Bibi were raised by driving test centre staff, who knew Bibi had been struck off and informed the DSA Fraud & Integrity Team that she was still teaching. In a joint investigation by DSA and South Yorkshire Police, Bibi was stopped at Middlewood Road Driving Test Centre as she presented a candidate for test.
DSA’s driving instructor registrar, Charles Morton, said: “Our message is clear: if you are not an ADI qualified to teach learner drivers, but continue teaching for money or monies worth, you can expect to face penalties.
“Illegal instructors are a danger to the public. They have not been assessed by us to ensure they are able to provide driving instruction to required standards.”
Mr Morton continued: “It is very simple to check that a driving instructor is qualified. Ensure they display an in-date pink or green badge in their windscreen during lessons and that the photo on the badge matches the person providing the instruction.
“The pink badge indicates that they have trainee status and are entitled to give paid instruction whilst acquiring practical experience. The green badge indicates their name is in The Register of Approved Driving Instructors, they are fully qualified to give paid instruction and are subject to regular checks by DSA to ensure their continued competence and suitability to give instruction.”
The head of the DSA Fraud and Integrity Team, Andy Rice, added: “We investigate all reported cases of suspected illegal instruction and work closely with the police and criminal justice agencies to identify offenders and prosecute”.
If you have any doubts about whether your driving instructor is teaching you legally, call DSA on: 029 2058 1155
02 September 2009