To report driving instructor to police

Disgusting. I’d name and shame on every local group. Unfortunately I doubt the police would do much, but it’s still worth reporting incase it forms a pattern of behaviour. Your poor son, absolutely disgusting a ‘professional’ is behaving in this way. I’m glad that you were informed and able to stop it and that you confronted him.

https://www.gov.uk/complain-about-a-driving-instructor

If all lessons are filmed by CCTV, I think you should be able to demand he hands over all footage of your son - possibly citing data protection rules (you’d have to check that). If he refuses, say you’ll report him to his professional body. If he hands it over but there are gaps - i.e he’s deleted some - then it shows some footage was dodgy. I’d also be doing an online sweep of TikTok/reels etc to see if he’s posted any. He shouldn’t be teaching and should be struck off, if that’s a thing.

There is a regulators body for driving instructors as it’s illegal to take money for teaching someone unless you’re accredited by them (DH trained to do it years ago). Will try to find out what they’re called - I’d be reporting to them as they can take his license to teach away.

I wonder if a charity (maybe NAS?) might not support you with how to proceed?

This.
If he is an independent self employed instructor he must surely be under some sort of jurisdiction with a code of practice in place.
But before getting this out on SM I would still be tempted to pay the local police station a visit and get their take on it…….if the instructor is so focussed on piss taking during a lesson they aren’t that invested in safe driving instruction are they?

It’s illegal for the driving instructor to be on their phone at all during lessons - 6 points, because they’re technically ‘in charge’ of the car. They are the responsible full licence holder. So if you don’t want to sound petty or very specific in your complaint so that he knows it’s you, simply report him for being on his phone during lessons. Then it could have been anyone ;)

A couple of things spring to mind for the future.

Firstly that it is probably always best to use a company for driving lessons so there is a defined framework in the event that things go wrong.

Secondly, that parents of vulnerable (or any) young people arrange for a regular debrief regarding progress every 4 to 6 lessons.

In relation to the bullying and harassment suffered by @AdeptTiger's son, I'd report to the DVSA for information, as suggested. I'd also report it to the MASH team. I'm not persuaded that the OP has sufficient evidence for any sort of criminal conviction.

However, there may be a civil angle to this and that may prove more successful. Clearly the DI does not appear to have been rendering his side of the contract. Driving lessons are also very expensive at, what, £65ph? I imagine the op has spent about £2500 over six months for very little benefit although like therapists I think one sometimes has to try few DIs to get the right fit.

However, I wonder if the best course of action might be to see if a local solicitor could write to the a'hole driving instructor, setting out the facts from your perspective and the instructor's contractual and regulatory obligations. The letter could note that your son did not make realistic progress after 26 weeks and this is surprising taking into account the significant progress that has been made with another instructor in a very short time frame. It is also notable that your ds was calm on return from lessons and there was no evidence of stress or discomfort after lessons in the form of profuse sweating which triangulated with a more optimal learning environment being provided without the unnecessary used of heated seats.

It could be gently suggested that matters will have to be reported to the regulatory authorities but that it may be helpful if the clients losses can be mitigated and the repayment of the cost of lessons would be welcomed no later than x

It will put the wind up better than any bad review, may get you some money back and you reserve the right to report.

It will cost you about £500 plus VAT but I'd consider it worth every penny.

This is horrific OP. So sorry your son and you all have gone through this! I’m so disgusted by this man’s behaviour. I know you’re wary of going further with it due to what else this man is involved with, but would you consider reporting it to the police even just so they have a reference point? Your son is a vulnerable adult and he won’t be the last vulnerable person this man interacts with. And then the police might have it as a reference point should something happen down the line with someone else? Could be worth just chatting to the police informally first to see - making it clear you don’t want any immediate action taken.

Is it possible that the other people /"professionals" are minimising as the driving instructor profession is a "small world" where everyone knows everyone and nobody wants to speak up for fear of other unease and consequences?

www.gov.uk/complain-about-a-driving-instructor

The second instructor's reaction is another red flag.

You need to find a specialist. There are instructors who teach only people with disabilities. My eldest had his lessons with one and passed first time.

Be careful and take legal advice before you report anything OP. This man sounds horrible.
Reporting him without any evidence would be difficult. You have your son's testimony and hearsay only.

I'm not saying to let him get away with it, just protect yourself and get advice before you do anything.

If I were you I’d go on every review page and say exactly what happened and then say don’t recommend him. It’s not defamation if you do this

He was using his mobile to film. It is illegal, in his position. He was causing distress (physical and emotional), to a vulnerable, disabled, teen, filming it, and then showing the film to others for kicks. You don't think that's bullying?

That's not a joke, it's an abhorrent invasion of privacy and dignity. I would definitely involve the police, your son might not be the only one he's done it to.

i reported my driving instructor to his company, AA i think, as he hit me when i tried, at the wrong time, to change gear

i would report to the company he works for

Report to dvsa. And doesn't do any harm to report to police though am not sure what it would fall under as a crime

I think deliberately humiliating your son because of his disability is potentially a hate crime and showing his video is a GDPR breach, but the time to report it was before you confronted him as I’m sure he will have deleted Thee idence by now so unless your friend is willing to give evidence you have no proof.
im sorry this happened.

It's fairly standard practice for driving instructors to film inside the car when teaching. It protects them and the student. I'd advise getting the footage before making accusations. He'd have to be pretty stupid to film himself being so awful.

Driving instructors must be registered with the DVSA. I'd report to them.

"Your driving instructor’s behaviour
Contact DVSA if your driving instructor is behaving inappropriately, for example:

• using their mobile phone while you’re driving
• shouting or swearing at you
• using inappropriate language, either in person or in messages they’ve sent to you
• using unnecessary physical contact

I'm so sorry this happened to your son. Help him to understand that he has had an encounter with a mean, abusive person, and most people are not like this. When he encounters people who treat him badly it's a reflection on them, not on him. He has done nothing wrong and most people would have been very confused and uncomfortable in that situation.

I wonder if you can report to the Driving Examiners body ? There must be one surely. Driving instructors have a duty of care to their pupils .try another instructor the latest one is so blasé.

I am seething with anger and total disgust . To film without consent and then sharing is surely a civil matter and no doubt comes under the law as an ‘assault’.
The creep must be stopped and I’d be taking it to the DVSA straightaway who regulate instructors.
The fact that he is taking advantage of and humiliating a young person with autism for kicks is really quite sick and this person needs calling out. This will have been such a hideous ordeal for your lovely son. He’s likely to have done this before .. filming students ugh.. young girls even..
My ds is autistic and has sensory issues with heat and sweating and is very uncomfortable in close proximity to others, therefore I’m teaching him to drive , slowly , but he’s progressing well.
There are instructors who specialise in teaching pupils with autism/ adhd/ ocd etc and understanding of their different learning styles .
I wish him all the luck in the world with his driving and sending you courage to nail the bastard and a big hug xxx

This I am so sorry for your son - how horrific. Yes report to as many people as you can. If you live near slough in the south east please pm me the mostly loveliest driving instructor taught my nd daughter and she was amazing.