Kevin John Rouse v The Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors

This appeal concerns the refusal by the Registrar to grant the Appellant, Kevin John Rouse, a third trainee licence under section 129 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

The Appellant previously held two trainee licenses between 16 September 2024 and 15 September 2025, providing him with twelve months of supervised practical experience while attempting the three‑part Approved Driving Instructor qualification.

The Registrar refused the Appellant’s application for a third trainee licence on 8 October 2025 on the basis that the statutory purpose of a trainee licence is to provide limited, temporary experience and is not intended to be used indefinitely until a candidate eventually meets the required standard.

The Appellant had already failed the instructional ability (Part 3) test twice, cancelled one test, and had a final attempt scheduled for 19 February 2026.

The appeal was heard on 18 March 2026. During the hearing the Appellant confirmed that he had taken and failed the Part 3 test on 19 February 2026.

The Tribunal find that, as a matter of law and policy, once the final Part 3 attempt has been taken and failed, a trainee licence cannot lawfully be granted. The statutory purpose of such licenses is to provide limited experience in preparation for Part 3, not to allow continued instruction after all permitted attempts have been exhausted.

In those circumstances the appeal cannot succeed and must be dismissed.

The appeal is therefore Struck Out as having no reasonable prospect of success following the Appellant’s confirmation that he failed his final permitted Part 3 attempt on 19 February 2026.