The Road Safety Authority (RSA), is warning un-regulated driving instructors that they must comply with new laws, which were introduced recently, to regulate driving instructors in Ireland or face prosecution.

Instructors who are not registered with the RSA as Approved Driving Instructors (ADI) face a fine of up to €2,000 or even six months imprisonment, or both if convicted in a court of providing lessons for reward.

The RSA is advising all learner drivers to only take lessons from full permit holding ADIs - do you want to pay for driving lessons from someone who hasn’t even passed their own tests?
“There are over 1,300 Approved Driving Instructors registered with the RSA and a number who, under the new legislation, have been given 90 days to complete their exam.” Said Mr. Noel Brett, CEO of the RSA, “However, we are aware that there are instructors out there who have not engaged in the regulation process at all and continue to unlawfully charge driving test candidates for driving lessons.”

Since 1st May 2009 it has become an offence to give driving instruction to a learner driver for hire or reward unless the instructor is on the RSA register of approved driving instructors (ADI). Regulation guarantees the quality and skills of those teaching new drivers across the country.

All ADI’s have been through the Garda vetting process and this provides an added layer of protection for young learner drivers.