Police crackdown on illegal driving instructors in York

Officers worked with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) examiners on the operation on Tuesday (April 14).

They checked instructor credentials, vehicle insurance and compliance with licensing requirements.

North Yorkshire Police said a “small proportion” of vehicles were found to be operating without the required approved driving instructor (ADI) licence and/or appropriate insurance.

“Enforcement action was taken immediately, and those involved were prosecuted for the relevant offences,” a force spokesperson said.

They said the “majority” of vehicles stopped were linked to instructors correctly qualified, licensed and insured to the required standards.

Matt Harvey, from North Yorkshire Police’s road safety team, said the operation was “about protecting learner drivers and the wider public”.

“Becoming a qualified ADI is not optional – it requires formal training, testing, licensing and proper insurance,” he said.

“Anyone attempting to bypass that process is putting learners at risk and undermining the system. We will continue to work with the DVSA to identify illegal instructors, enforce the law, and take action where standards are not met.”