BY AUSTIN LYNCH
Learner drivers in Fermanagh have been warned to be aware of the dangers of taking driving lessons with illegal driving instructors.
The warning came from Environment Minister Arlene Foster who called into the Enniskillen Driver and Vehicle Testing Centre on Friday to launch an awareness campaign for learner drivers.
Mrs Foster said she was alerted to the problem of illegal driving instructors by local members of the Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) who told her about a number of illegal driving instructors operating in Fermanagh.
"There are a few in the county at the moment", commented Minister Foster.
Although it is not illegal to teach someone else how to drive, if they are paid for the instruction then they must be registered with the ADI. Otherwise they are acting illegally.
"Illegal instructors," the Minister said "don't have the necessary qualifications to teach and may not have proper insurance. Most alarmingly, they may not have undergone the rigorous repute checks that driving instructors must pass before they are able to teach on a one-to-one basis,"
Mrs Foster said that seventeen year olds are still considered children in the eyes of the law. And, she explained, when these young people are out on a driving lesson they are very much on their own in the car with their instructor, and they are vulnerable.
To become an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI), potential instructors have to go through a long process comprising three rigorous tests, including their testing their ability to give instruction to learner drivers.
And, although illegal instructors may appear legitimate, they may not be officially registered and, therefore, may not have relevant insurance to cover driver instruction.
Minister Foster outlined a number a number of steps learner drivers could take to make sure their driving instructor is approved and authorised to give lessons - the first one being to ask the instructor for their ADI certificate.
A learner driver can also check if an instructor is registered by contacting ADI (028 90547933) or by checking on 'www.dvani.gov.uk'.
And, although all approved instructors may not be on the website, the Agency should be able to tell you if a driver instructor is an ADI licence holder.
