Appeal a driving instructor registration decision

Appeal to an independent tribunal if you disagree with a decision about your trainee driving instructor licence or registration as an approved driving instructor (ADI).

What you can appeal against

You can appeal to the tribunal if the ADI Registrar:

  • refuses to enter or keep your name on the register
  • removes your name from the register
  • refuses to give you a trainee licence
  • removes your trainee licence
  • refuses to give you another trainee licence after one has expired
  • refuses you compensation if you were suspended as an ADI

Your case will be dealt with by a tribunal in the General Regulatory Chamber.

The tribunal is independent of the government. It will listen to both sides of the argument before reaching a decision.

Time limits for appealing

You must appeal within a set time of the decision being made. The time limit is:

  • 14 days if you’re a trainee instructor appealing about a registration decision
  • 28 days if you’re an ADI appealing about a registration decision
  • 28 days if you’re appealing about a compensation claim

How to appeal

Use the notice of appeal form and guidance leaflet.

Clearly say why you want to appeal against the decision.

Include any supporting documents, like the registrar’s decision.

Send the form to grc@justice.gov.uk or:

General Regulatory Chamber
HM Courts and Tribunals Service
PO Box 9300
Leicester
LE1 8DJ

Tribunal staff can give you guidance on how the process works, but they cannot give you legal advice.

General Regulatory Chamber
Telephone: 0300 123 4504
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Find out about call charges

What happens next

The tribunal will write to you about the next steps, and whether there will be a hearing to decide on your case.

Transport hearings are normally held in London, Glasgow or Edinburgh.

Find out more about General Regulatory Chamber hearings and decisions.

Legislation and rules

You can find rules on driving instructor appeals under the Road Traffic Act 1988, Transport Act 2000, and Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) Regulations 2005.

More detailed rules on how your case will be handled are contained in the General Regulatory Chamber procedure rules.

Previous decisions

Read decisions on previous transport appeals.