The DSA launched a consultation about the compensation scheme in March last year, which will operate alongside the new power to suspend driving instructors.
The process, at present, of removing approved driving instructors (ADIs) from the DSA’s register takes a minimum of 42 days, during which time the instructor can continue to give tuition, even if they have been convicted of an offence.
The DSA will be able to immediately suspend instructors who have committed a serious offence or whose driving tuition is considered dangerous under the Driving Instruction (Suspension and Exemption Powers) Act 2009.
The 2009 Act also requires a compensation scheme to be available for ADIs in cases where their registration has been suspended, but is not consequently revoked. This could occur either because the Registrar decides that removal or revocation is inappropriate, or because the ADI successfully appeals the decision.
The DSA wrote to over 950 individuals and associations for the consultation. The Consultation Paper was posted on the DSA website, an email alert was sent to ‘DSA Direct’ subscribers and a poster was placed in driving test centers.
The DSA would like to thank all those who responded to the consultation. Ministers have now considered the responses, and the DSA has published a response to consultation report on its website.
From April 2012, the DSA plans to introduce the scheme.