ADI Code of Practice

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SKILL4LIFE DRIVER TRAINING

APPROVED DRIVING INSTRUCTOR (ADI) CODE OF CONDUCT

Updated: 8 October 2026

Our Commitment to Professional Standards

At Skill4Life Driver Training, professionalism, integrity, transparency and road safety are fundamental to the way we operate.

We are committed to meeting the professional standards established by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), including the requirements of its revised Driving Instructor Code of Practice.

Our objective is to provide a safe, respectful and effective learning environment while maintaining the highest standards of professional conduct and business accountability.

This document explains the standards customers can expect from Skill4Life Driver Training.

It complements, but does not replace, the official DVSA Code of Practice or our Terms of Business.

1. Professional Integrity and Conduct

Skill4Life Driver Training is committed to:

• Acting honestly, fairly and professionally at all times.
• Complying with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
• Treating every customer with dignity, courtesy and respect.
• Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Avoiding discrimination, harassment, intimidation and inappropriate behaviour.
• Protecting the reputation and integrity of the driver training profession.
• Demonstrating responsible conduct both during and outside professional duties.

We recognise that Approved Driving Instructors occupy a position of trust and must maintain public confidence in the profession.

2. Safeguarding and Customer Welfare

The safety and welfare of customers are paramount.

Skill4Life will:

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries.
• Avoid inappropriate physical contact, language or personal relationships with customers.
• Respect individual circumstances and vulnerabilities.
• Take safeguarding concerns seriously and respond appropriately.
• Maintain confidentiality, except where disclosure is necessary or legally justified to protect an individual or comply with the law.
• Provide a supportive learning environment free from harassment, intimidation and discrimination.

Where safeguarding concerns arise, appropriate advice or assistance may be sought from relevant authorities.

3. Professional Driving Instruction

Driving tuition will be delivered in accordance with the DVSA National Standard for Driver and Rider Training.

Skill4Life is committed to:

• Providing structured, client-centred driving tuition.
• Establishing clear learning objectives.
• Adapting instructional methods to individual learning needs.
• Encouraging independent decision-making and risk awareness.
• Maintaining a safe and effective learning environment.
• Providing constructive, accurate and meaningful feedback.
• Reviewing progress and identifying further training requirements.
• Promoting safe and responsible driving beyond the practical driving test.

Tuition will be conducted with reasonable care and skill.

4. Driving Licence and Eyesight Requirements

Before tuition begins, Skill4Life will check that customers hold the appropriate driving entitlement and meet the applicable legal eyesight requirements.

Further checks may be undertaken during training where appropriate.

Customers must inform their instructor of any changes affecting their entitlement or fitness to drive.

5. Vehicle Safety and Roadworthiness

Skill4Life will ensure that vehicles supplied for tuition:

• Are appropriately insured.
• Meet applicable roadworthiness requirements.
• Are maintained to a safe operating standard.
• Display the required learner plates.
• Have the additional interior rear-view mirror required for instruction.
• Display the instructor’s official DVSA registration badge as required.
• Are maintained in a reasonably clean and safe condition.

Safety concerns will be addressed promptly.

6. Instructional Standards and Continuing Professional Development

Skill4Life recognises the importance of maintaining professional competence.

We are committed to:

• Keeping instructional knowledge current.
• Remaining informed about changes to road traffic legislation and DVSA guidance.
• Reflecting upon instructional performance.
• Maintaining professional driving standards.
• Undertaking appropriate continuing professional development.
• Using recognised instructional and coaching techniques.
• Responding constructively to professional feedback.

Our commitment extends beyond preparing customers to pass a driving test and includes developing responsible drivers for life.

7. Customer Progress and Training Records

Skill4Life will maintain appropriate records of tuition delivered and customer progress.

Customers will receive clear and constructive information about:

• Skills already developed.
• Areas requiring improvement.
• Progress towards independent driving.
• Driving test readiness.
• Further tuition requirements.

Training recommendations will be based on professional assessment rather than unnecessary commercial considerations.

Customers may request relevant information about their progress and completed tuition.

8. Driving Test Readiness and Professional Judgement

Skill4Life will provide professional guidance concerning driving test readiness.

Recommendations will take account of:

• The DVSA driving test standard.
• The customer’s ability to drive safely and independently.
• Consistency of driving performance.
• Hazard awareness and risk management.
• The ability to respond appropriately to unfamiliar situations.
• Current DVSA test-booking arrangements and waiting times.

Customers remain responsible for booking and managing their driving tests in accordance with DVSA rules.

Skill4Life will not cancel or rearrange a customer’s driving test without their knowledge and agreement.

Use of a Skill4Life tuition vehicle for a practical driving test requires the instructor’s prior agreement.

The instructor may decline to provide the vehicle where there are reasonable concerns about safety, competence, vehicle suitability or compliance with DVSA requirements.

Where vehicle use is withdrawn, reasonable notice will be given wherever practicable, particularly where this may affect the customer’s test fee.

Customers remain free to use another suitable vehicle that meets DVSA requirements.

9. Transparent Business Practices

Skill4Life is committed to fair, transparent and responsible business practices.

Before tuition commences, customers will be provided with access to clear information concerning:

• Tuition prices and lesson duration.
• Payment arrangements.
• Discounted block bookings.
• Cancellation requirements.
• Refund arrangements.
• Early termination of tuition.
• Use of the tuition vehicle for driving tests.
• Complaints procedures.
• Personal data handling.

Our full contractual conditions are published separately.

Read Our Terms of Business

10. Customer Payments and Financial Accountability

Skill4Life will maintain accurate records of customer payments, prepaid tuition and lessons delivered.

Advance payments will be properly accounted for and protected through appropriate financial and record-keeping arrangements.

Customers may request an explanation of their remaining tuition credit and relevant transactions.

Refunds, cancellation charges and early-termination arrangements will be administered in accordance with our Terms of Business and applicable consumer protection legislation.

Skill4Life will not impose unfair or misleading financial conditions.

11. Lesson Appointments and Reliability

Skill4Life recognises that customers commit both time and money to driving tuition.

We will make reasonable efforts to:

• Attend confirmed appointments punctually.
• Deliver the agreed lesson duration.
• Provide reasonable notice of necessary changes.
• Minimise avoidable disruption.
• Maintain accurate appointment records.
• Offer appropriate arrangements where lessons cannot be delivered.

Customers are likewise expected to respect confirmed appointments and comply with the cancellation requirements explained in our Terms of Business.

12. Confidentiality and Data Protection

Skill4Life will handle personal information responsibly and in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation.

Customer information will be:

• Collected for legitimate purposes.
• Used appropriately and transparently.
• Stored securely.
• Protected against unauthorised disclosure.
• Retained only for as long as reasonably necessary or legally required.
• Deleted or securely disposed of when appropriate.

Where vehicle recording equipment, automated communications or digital systems are used, customers will be informed through the appropriate privacy information.

13. Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology

Skill4Life may use digital technology and artificial intelligence to support administration, appointment management, communications and the preparation of instructional materials.

Such technology will be used responsibly.

We will ensure that:

• AI-generated instructional information is checked for accuracy.
• Learning materials remain consistent with applicable DVSA standards.
• Customer information is handled in accordance with data protection requirements.
• Automated systems do not replace essential professional judgement.
• Customers are not misled about the use or capabilities of digital services.

Responsibility for instructional decisions remains with the instructor.

14. Advertising, Marketing and Social Media

Skill4Life is committed to honest and responsible advertising.

All promotional materials, including website content, testimonials and social media publications, will be fair, accurate and not misleading.

We will:

• Avoid unsubstantiated claims.
• Present driving test results responsibly.
• Respect customer privacy and confidentiality.
• Obtain appropriate permission before publishing identifiable customer information or images.
• Respect copyright and intellectual property rights.
• Use social media professionally.
• Avoid defamatory, discriminatory or inappropriate communications.

Any AI-assisted promotional material will be reviewed for accuracy and compliance with applicable advertising requirements.

15. Gifts, Hospitality and Conflicts of Interest

Skill4Life will maintain independence and integrity in professional decision-making.

Gifts, hospitality or other benefits will not be accepted where they could compromise, or reasonably appear to compromise, professional judgement.

Training recommendations and driving test readiness assessments will be based on the customer’s needs and demonstrated ability.

16. Professional Boundaries and Communication

Communication with customers will remain professional and appropriate.

Skill4Life will:

• Communicate respectfully.
• Maintain appropriate instructor-customer boundaries.
• Avoid inappropriate personal discussions.
• Respect customer confidentiality.
• Use reasonable communication methods and arrangements.
• Address concerns constructively.

Customers will be treated fairly regardless of background, identity or personal circumstances.

17. Complaints and Dispute Resolution

Skill4Life welcomes constructive feedback and is committed to addressing genuine concerns fairly.

Customers are encouraged to raise concerns directly with their instructor in the first instance.

Complaints will be:

• Acknowledged appropriately.
• Considered objectively.
• Investigated where necessary.
• Addressed without unreasonable delay.
• Resolved fairly wherever possible.

Customers retain their statutory rights and may seek independent advice or refer appropriate professional conduct concerns to the DVSA.

Professional conduct concerns may be reported to:

DVSA ADI Registrar

Email: instructorconduct@dvsa.gov.uk

Customers may also obtain consumer advice through Citizens Advice.

18. Regulatory Compliance and Accountability

Skill4Life recognises the authority of the DVSA and the ADI Registrar in regulating professional driving instruction.

We are committed to:

• Maintaining the appropriate DVSA registration.
• Displaying the required instructor identification.
• Complying with applicable regulatory obligations.
• Maintaining accurate registration information.
• Cooperating appropriately with lawful regulatory enquiries.
• Responding professionally to complaints or investigations.
• Maintaining the standards expected of a fit and proper person.

We recognise that serious professional misconduct may result in regulatory investigation and action.

19. Our Commitment to Customers

Skill4Life Driver Training believes that professional driving instruction should be founded upon trust, transparency, accountability and mutual respect.

Customers should expect:

• Professional and competent instruction.
• Honest assessments of their driving ability.
• Clear and transparent business arrangements.
• Fair treatment.
• Appropriate safeguarding.
• Responsible handling of personal information.
• Respectful communication.
• A genuine commitment to developing safe, confident and responsible drivers.

20. Review of This Code

This Code of Conduct will be reviewed periodically and updated where necessary to reflect changes in legislation, DVSA requirements and recognised professional standards.

Skill4Life will comply with the revised DVSA Driving Instructor Code of Practice when it formally takes effect.

OFFICIAL DVSA CODE OF PRACTICE

Customers can read the DVSA’s published Driving Instructor Code of Practice using the following link:

DVSA Driving Instructor Code of Practice — GOV.UK

SKILL4LIFE DRIVER TRAINING

Professional Instruction. Integrity. Road Safety.

Website: https://skill4life.co.uk

Our commitment is not simply to help customers pass a driving test, but to equip them with the knowledge, judgement and skills required for a lifetime of safer driving.