Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Not all instructors are fully qualified ...

A trainee instructor has to pass an exam before they can claim to be fully qualified, but the pass rate is only 30%. The majority never make the grade or continue with their 'career'.

More than one in seven instructors are in the trainee stage according to the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

You should be wary of phrases such as 'DSA approved' as this doesn't guarantee that they have passed their exam.

However, the law requires driving instructors to display their qualifications in the windscreen of their car. A green badge shows that the instructor is fully qualified whilst a pink badge shows that they are still a trainee.

If you are being taught by a trainee, are you paying trainee rates or 'full price'?