22/08/2026
PLEASE BE CAREFUL WHEN LOOKING FOR A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR
Unfortunately, there are scammers taking advantage of the current demand for driving lessons, posing as driving instructors or driving schools and taking money from learners for lessons that simply don’t exist.
Driving instructors are in incredibly short supply at the moment, and that creates the perfect opportunity for scammers to target learners and parents who are desperate to find lessons.
So before handing over any money, particularly for a block of lessons, please do a few checks first.
Have you, your family or your friends ever heard of this driving school?
Obviously every business has to start somewhere, but if someone claims to be an established local instructor and nobody locally seems to have heard of them, I would want to investigate further.
How long has their page been running?
If it was created only days or weeks ago, be cautious. Scroll back through their history rather than just looking at the most recent posts.
Do their photos and posts look genuine?
Have twenty “passes” suddenly appeared within a few days, but there’s virtually no other content?
Do the cars, instructors or locations keep changing?
Scammers can use AI or steal photographs from genuine driving instructors and driving schools, so photographs alone aren’t proof.
Where are all these pupils supposedly passing?
Most instructors mention their local test centres from time to time. If there are endless pass photos but absolutely nothing identifying where the instructor actually works, ask yourself why.
Have you ever seen this driving school locally?
Not every instructor has a sign-written car or a roof box, but many of us do. If somebody claims to have been teaching extensively in your area for years but you’ve never seen the car, heard the name or know anybody who has used them, do a little more digging.
Do they have suspiciously good availability?
Most instructors are extremely busy at the moment.
If somebody you’ve never met suddenly has exactly the days and times you want, can start immediately and is falling over themselves to accommodate you, particularly for an imminent driving test, be cautious.
A reputable instructor is also unlikely to agree to take a complete stranger to a driving test without first assessing their driving.
Are they asking for a large amount of money upfront?
Paying for blocks of lessons is perfectly normal, but if you’ve never met the instructor and you’re being pressured into transferring hundreds of pounds immediately to “secure your place”, stop and check who you’re paying first.
Does the bank-account name make sense?
If you’re transferring money and the account name appears to have absolutely no connection with the instructor or business you’ve been speaking to, ask questions before sending anything.
Search for them independently.
Don’t just rely on links or information they send you. Search the instructor’s name and driving-school name yourself. Look for an established online presence, genuine reviews and interaction with local people.
Ask who your instructor actually is.
Ask for their full name. Approved Driving Instructors have a green ADI badge, which should be displayed in the windscreen when they’re giving paid tuition. Trainee instructors may teach for payment under a pink trainee licence.
And most importantly:
Don’t let desperation for driving lessons override your instincts.
I know how frustrating the current waiting lists are, but if something doesn’t feel right, take ten minutes to check before transferring your money.
A genuine instructor isn’t going to object to you making sure that they are who they say they are.
Unfortunately, scammers know that learners are desperate for lessons at the moment — and they’re exploiting it.
