Ruth Haddock v The Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors

The Appellant filed a GRC1 to appeal against a refusal by the Respondent to grant a further trainee license.

On 11th February 2026, the Respondent filed a GRC5 inviting the Tribunal to strike out the appeal under Rule 8(3)(c) on the basis that the appeal has no reasonable prospect of success.

The Respondent stated that Regulation 14(b) of the Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) Regulations stipulate that a trainee license expires the day following the trainee’s third unsuccessful attempt at the instructional ability test and that, according to his records, the Appellant had failed that test for the third time on 10th February 2026.

By an email of 1st April 2026 the Appellant confirmed that she had failed the test and was expecting the appeal to be struck out. She referred to a previous email, dated “2/10/26”. I assume the date referred to was 10th February 2026.

Under Rule 8(3)(c), the Tribunal may strike out a case where the Tribunal considers there is no reasonable prospect of the Appellant's case, or part of it, succeeding.

As Regulation 14(b) does not provide for any extension of the trainee licence further to a third failure, there is no prospect of the appeal succeeding.

I am satisfied that, pursuant to Rule 8(4), the Appellant has had the opportunity to respond to the strike out application. Indeed, she has done so.

The test under Rule 8(3)(c) is met and the appeal is therefore struck out.