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PassReady

Staying safe when learning to drive

A few things worth knowing before you book your first lesson.

Check your instructor is qualified

Anyone charging you for driving lessons must be registered with the DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency). There are two types of qualified instructor:

• ●ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) — fully qualified. They'll have a green octagonal badge in their windscreen with their photo, name, ADI number, and expiry date.
• ●PDI (Potential Driving Instructor) — one test away from full qualification. They'll have a pink triangular badge. They're allowed to charge for lessons while gaining experience.

If someone is teaching you to drive and charging you money without either of these badges, they're breaking the law.

How to verify an instructor on PassReady

Every instructor on PassReady enters their ADI badge number when they sign up. You can verify it yourself:

• 1On the instructor's PassReady page, find their ADI number in the verification section.
• 2Tap "Verify on GOV.UK" — the number copies to your clipboard automatically.
• 3Paste it into the DVSA search on the page that opens. If they're registered, you'll see their details.

Can't find them on the DVSA database? Don't panic. The database is voluntary — not all instructors choose to be listed. But they should still have a badge in their windscreen when you get in the car.

Before your first lesson

• ✓Make sure you have a valid provisional driving licence. You can't 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.

During your lessons

• ✓You should always feel safe. If you're uncomfortable at any point, you can ask to stop the lesson.
• ✓Your instructor should be patient and professional. Everyone learns at their own pace.
• ✓Your instructor should have dual controls (a second set of pedals on their side).
• ✓Lessons should focus on driving. If your instructor behaves inappropriately, end the lesson and report it.

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 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.