How do I check if my driving instructor is qualified in the UK?

All qualified driving instructors must display a green ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) badge or pink PDI (Potential Driving Instructor) badge in their windscreen. The badge shows their photo, name, ADI number, and expiry date. You can also verify their badge number on the DVSA's Find an Instructor database at gov.uk.

What is the difference between a green badge and a pink badge driving instructor?

A green badge (ADI) means the instructor is fully qualified — they have passed all three parts of the ADI qualifying exam. A pink badge (PDI) means the instructor has passed Parts 1 and 2 and is working towards Part 3. They are legally allowed to charge for lessons while gaining experience. Both are registered with the DVSA.

What should I check before my first driving lesson?

Before your first lesson, make sure you have a valid provisional driving licence, check the instructor's car has L plates displayed, look for the ADI or PDI badge in the windscreen and check the photo matches, tell someone where you are going and who your instructor is, and save your instructor's phone number in your phone.

What is a DBS check for driving instructors?

A DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check is a criminal record check. The DVSA requires all ADI and PDI applicants to have a DBS check as part of the qualification process. It helps ensure people working with the public, including under-18 learners, do not have relevant criminal convictions.

PassReady

Staying safe when learning to drive

Q: How do I report a bad driving instructor in the UK?

Contact the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) directly. Email: cfi@dvsa.gov.uk. Phone: 0300 123 3248 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). You can also report instructors online via GOV.UK. In an emergency, call 999.

Everything you need to know before and during your lessons. Plain English, no jargon.

What is an ADI badge?

Anyone charging you for driving lessons in the UK must be registered with the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). They must display a badge in their windscreen at all times during lessons. There are two types:

ADI

Green badge

Fully qualified. They've passed all three parts of the ADI qualifying exam. The green octagonal badge shows their photo, name, ADI number, and expiry date.

PDI

Pink badge

Trainee instructor. They've passed Parts 1 and 2 and are working towards Part 3. The pink triangular badge means they're legally allowed to charge for lessons while gaining experience.

Both green and pink badge holders are registered with the DVSA. If someone is charging you for driving lessons without either badge, they are breaking the law.

How to check your instructor on GOV.UK

You can verify any instructor's ADI registration yourself. It takes 30 seconds.

1Go to the DVSA's approved driving instructor register:
www.gov.uk/find-driving-instructor
2Search by their name or ADI badge number. If they're on PassReady, you'll find their ADI number on their profile page.
3If they appear in the search results, they're registered with the DVSA. Check the details match.

Note: The DVSA register is voluntary — not all qualified instructors choose to be listed on it. But they must still display a valid badge in their windscreen during every lesson. If you can't find them online, check the badge in the car.

DBS checks — what they are and how to check

A DBS check (Disclosure and Barring Service) is a criminal record check. The DVSA requires all ADI and PDI applicants to undergo a DBS check as part of their qualification process. This helps ensure people working with the public — including under-18 learners — do not have relevant criminal convictions.

What you can check

✓Ask your instructor when their DBS check was last done. Most instructors are happy to tell you.
✓On PassReady, instructors can display their DBS check date on their profile. Look for it in the verification section.
✓The DVSA checks DBS as part of the ADI qualification. If someone has a valid ADI badge, they passed a DBS check during their training.

Important: PassReady displays the DBS date your instructor has told us. We have not independently verified it. The DBS check is carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service as part of the DVSA's instructor qualification process — not by PassReady. If you have concerns, contact the DVSA directly.

Your rights during lessons

You are paying for a professional service. You have the right to feel safe, respected, and supported throughout your learning.

🔒You can stop the lesson at any time. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable for any reason, ask your instructor to pull over and end the lesson. You do not need to give a reason.
👥Your instructor must be professional. Lessons should focus on driving. Inappropriate comments, behaviour, or physical contact are never acceptable.
🚗The car must be safe and legal. Dual controls (a second set of pedals on the instructor's side), L plates displayed, valid MOT, tax, and insurance. The ADI/PDI badge must be visible in the windscreen.
🕐You should get the full time you paid for. If you booked a one-hour lesson, you should receive a full hour of instruction, not including time spent driving to a practice area.
💬You can ask questions. A good instructor will explain things clearly and patiently. Everyone learns at their own pace. There is no such thing as a stupid question.
📝You can change instructor. If you're not happy with your instructor, you can switch at any time. You don't owe them an explanation. Your progress goes with you.

Before your first lesson

✓Make sure you have a valid provisional driving licence. You cannot take a lesson without one.
✓Check the instructor's car has L plates displayed.
✓Look for the ADI or PDI badge in the windscreen. Check the photo matches your instructor.
✓Tell someone where you're going and who your instructor is.
✓Save your instructor's phone number in your phone.
✓Wear comfortable shoes you can drive in. No flip-flops or high heels.

Payments on PassReady

✓You always pay online before the lesson. Card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. You never need to bring cash.
✓A small booking fee (4.2%) is included in the price you see. This is non-refundable if you cancel.
✓If you cancel within your instructor's cancellation policy (usually 24–48 hours before), you get the lesson price back.
✓If your instructor cancels, you get a full refund.
✓All payments go through Stripe. We never see your card details.

What to do if something goes wrong

During a lesson

1If you feel unsafe, ask your instructor to stop the car. You can end the lesson at any time.
2If there is an immediate danger, call 999.
3If you are not in danger but want to leave, ask to be dropped at a safe public place. Call someone to collect you if needed.

After a lesson

1Report it to us at hello@staghillsoftware.co.uk. We will investigate and can suspend an instructor's account while we do so.
2Report it to the DVSA (details below). They regulate all driving instructors in the UK and have the power to investigate and revoke badges.
3If the behaviour was criminal (assault, harassment, etc.), report it to the police as well.

DVSA complaints process

The DVSA is the government body that registers and regulates all driving instructors in the UK. You can report any instructor directly to them.

Report a driving instructor to the DVSA:

Email: cfi@dvsa.gov.uk

Phone: 0300 123 3248 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm)

Online: Report on GOV.UK

You can report anonymously if you prefer. The DVSA investigates all complaints and can suspend or revoke an instructor's badge.

A note for parents and guardians

If your child is under 18 and learning to drive:

Learners can hold a provisional driving licence from the age of 17 (or 16 if they receive the enhanced rate of the mobility component of PIP). If your child is under 18, here are some things to consider:

• Meet the instructor. Before the first lesson, introduce yourself. A professional instructor will welcome this.

• Check the badge. Look at the ADI or PDI badge in the windscreen. Note the instructor's name and ADI number.

• Track progress. On PassReady, you can ask your child to share their progress with you. You'll see what they've covered, their test readiness score, and their instructor's notes.

• Know where they are. Ask your child to tell you the pickup and drop-off locations for each lesson.

• Know how to report concerns. If anything doesn't feel right, contact us or the DVSA. You don't need to wait for proof — concerns are taken seriously.

What PassReady checks

We ask all instructors to provide their ADI badge number when they sign up. We display this on their profile so students can verify it. We also ask instructors to provide their DBS check date.

What we verify vs. what we don't:

PassReady is a booking platform, not a regulatory body. We display the information instructors provide to us. We do not independently verify ADI badge numbers, DBS checks, or driving licence status. The DVSA is the regulatory authority for driving instructors in the UK. If you have concerns about an instructor's qualifications, contact the DVSA directly.

We do verify identity through Stripe's KYC (Know Your Customer) process before any instructor can receive payments through the platform.

PassReady tip: Track your progress in the app after every lesson. Your instructor adds notes on what you covered, and you can see your test readiness score. If someone else is paying for your lessons, you can share your progress with them so they can see how you're getting on.

Questions about safety?

Email us: hello@staghillsoftware.co.uk

We take student safety seriously. If you have any concerns at all, get in touch. Safeguarding concerns are treated as urgent and prioritised accordingly.