To report driving instructor to police

How did you find out? Like who showed you the video or told you about the video? And if they have the video get the video from them surely? Or record it onto your phone. If he’s doing this to your son he’s likely doing it to other people..the police need to know. He was being mentally and physically abusive to a disabled person. I’d imagine this could be classed as a hate crime? I totally get if you’re scared of the family though. There may be other families of victims you could find to support bringing a case to the police - what do his reviews say?

@AdeptTiger
I would email Ashley Neal the driving instructor from YouTube for advice.
https://youtube.com/@ashley_neal?si=--yHqGpPQcU1iegx
There an email there.

He sometimes takes about bad driving instructor practice.

Get the video. Then name and shame all over social media.

Failing that

Maybe the instructor will wake up one morning to find his car keyed or similar and wonder why anyone would do such a thing.

This man is abhorrent, I have an autistic DS and if anyone behaved this way towards him, especially a service-provider I had actually paid for, I would hit the roof in every possible way.

It doesn't matter what the other diriving instructor or your friend the examiner said. Fine, they're not bothered, you ARE! And they are not the arbiters of this sitation. Luckily there is a registration body that is...

The ADI - Approved Driving Instructor - Registry is, which is part of the DVSA run by Department of Transport. You have to be a fit and proper person to be a Driving Instructor, this guy ain't. The keeper of the Register, i.e. the Registrar of the ADI can have bad'uns struck off.

See link
www.gov.uk/government/publications/whats-involved-in-being-a-driving-instructor/approved-driving-instructor-adi-register-guide

He must be a registered driving instructor and he deserves to be struck off for this. Doesn't matter you don't have the video, you have compelling evidence from someone who has seen it. (And maybe there is 'in car' video installed which the ADI could request)

So,write to the ADI with a complaint. While you're at it, write your MP, your local councillor and your local Trading Standards department at the council - they should be told there is a rogue operator in their area.

And you should be able to get your money back. Consider going to the small claims court.

You must take action to get him off the roads - God knows what he might do to other vulnerable clients!

Definitely report to police, even if it's not the right way to go, they should point you in the right way to go. The previous instructor should have a DBS, I would follow this up and report to them also. You said there were other reasons that he doesn't have a good reputation? I would publicise his behaviour somehow, a review or similar. You have no idea what he might be doing to other vulnerable students. Also see if there's a regulatory body for driving instructors that you can report him to.

Report this excuse of a man. He is despicable. I'm so sorry for your DS. I'd speak to citizens advice to see if you can get some of the lesson money back too.

The new instructor may not be minimising things in the way you suggest, they may be saying the impact on learning to drive isn't massive and things will be OK. I'd accept that and move on. Just make sure your DS knows he can tell you everything so you can help him deal with any future bullying.

Good luck to your DS. Driving will be a huge benefit to him.

There’s video evidence.

The data breach- showing footage of your son to others in the pub for a laugh - can be reported to the ICO. (Information commissioners office, he's a data controller for business purposes so should be registered with them)

You can report the bullying to the DVSA as it is a breach of their code of conduct: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/driving-instructor-code-of-practice/approved-driving-instructor-adi-code-of-practice#personal-conduct

This has absolutely broken my heart. Please give your son an extra big hug if he'll let you.

Men like that DI deserve a violent de-bollocking.

You may have already done this but definitely do a google review (and as PP said, stick to the facts)

That is absolutely bizarre behaviour from the driving instructor. My DH is an instructor and would never dream of this. Driving instructor’s r self employed so I’d be sharing this info far and wide as he deserves his business to tank: he should be doing all he can to make his pupil comfortable and safe

disgusting behaviour.

however, when driving he will encounter unexpected situations. will he be able to deal with that without becoming a unattentive/dangerous driver?

Aaaannndddd….. people have already suggested this! I apologise, I never read the comment threads until it’s too late😂

I hope your son gets the support he deserves with the new instructor and that this doesn’t dip his confidence.

This is vile behaviour from the driving instructor and the thought of it has made me feel sick. Your poor son. Is he a private instructor or does he work for a company? Definitely report it to someone, I’m not sure the police could do much though.

I’ve checked the Gov website and you can complain about a driving instructors behaviour on this email: [email protected]

Agree. I’d complain. His behaviour was highly unprofessional, leaving aside the ND. If he’s capable of surreptitiously filming clients, then showing the films to others, that’s a huge breach of professional trust., whoever the client is.

But to do this to someone who has a disability may be a breach of the Equality Act or Disability Discrimination Act.

You could also consider a civil action for damages on basis of the above. You could ask a specialist solicitor via an ND charity) about the chances of success.

DI shouldn't be using phone during a driving lesson anyway. (You'd have to Google the exact wording but to do with the DI actually being in charge of the car as your son is only a learner - believe it is equivalent to driving and using your mobile.)
Also, as your DS could be classed as a vulnerable adult due to his disability, this is a safeguarding issue which does need reporting to local LADO.
I think if you have concerns about this instructor you would need to report to the licensing team for DI. Only thing you can report to the police is use of mobile phone.

Oh my God, that is just AWFUL. What a cunt of the highest order. He needs a serious shaming; I would definitely report him and leave bad reviews everywhere.
I hope your boy is ok x

Is it a hate crime to bully, mock, cause physical discomfort to someonecwith a classified disability and share videos of doing so? I'd at least ask the police. Can your friend verify the videos were shared?

My blood is boiling for you. Not sure I'd be responsible for my actions if I found out someone had been doing this to my DS ( also autistic).

I hope you can find a new teacher for him, and that your friend will help shop him to the driving school authorities. Use factual, unemotional language when you inform them and refer to any hate crime guidelines that are applicable. And name and shame on review sites. I hope he never works again.

This! There’s a lot this man is doing that is possibly illegal. Let the police decide and advise who should deal with this even if they don’t

If he did this while your son was driving he must be guilty of a criminal offence by distracting your son and therefore more likely to cause a crash

If he’s filming videos then he’ll be publishing them somewhere, either TikTok or Facebook! You need to get those videos deleted!

OP how robust is your witness? It's not your word against his if the witness is happy to say they saw it.
Awful.

But the CCTV would back up your story, show him messing with the controls? Also it would show the instructor filming DC.

Yes report him. I don’t know how you held yourself back I would’ve felt an overwhelming urge to punch him in the face shout at him. Bullying and seeking pleasure of tormenting someone and laughing about it to any degree is evil. Report him (I’m sure there’s a company you flag them up to), is there anyway for you to get a hold of the video as proof? I really hope your DS is ok and can find a better driving instructor.

It’s illegal to use a mobile phone when supervising a learner. Same punishment as if driver was using a phone. He should be in full control if the vehicle.

despatch.blog.gov.uk/2017/06/14/think-put-your-phone-away-during-driving-lessons/