Just received an email alert from the DSA announcing that it has launched a consultation exercise to address the situation where the actions or behaviour of an ADI (or PDI) poses a danger to the public. It emphasises that this is a very rare situation.
The email says:
Suspension of driving instructors: consultation launch
The new Driving Instruction (Suspension and Exemption Powers) Act introduced a power for the Driving Standards Agency to suspend the approval of driving instructors in rare situations where the individual poses a danger to the public.
Before the suspension power can be used, a compensation scheme must be in place for instructors whose approval to instruct is suspended but who are not subsequently taken off the register.
We have today launched a consultation exercise on the compensation arrangements. The closing date for replies is 31 May 2010.
The proposals relate to the system for calculating the level of awards and the procedures for making claims,
This includes timescales, supporting documentation, validation of information and appeals arrangements.
We have posted the consultation paper on our website: dsa.gov.uk. The relevant reply form is also available on the website.
If you are unable to download the documents from our website, you can request hard copies by sending an email to Consultations@dsa.gsi.gov.uk or by calling 0115 936 6098.
We anticipate the suspension power will be used where the instructor is convicted of a serious violent or sexual offence, or is delivering dangerous tuition.
If you go to the website link they give it isn’t immediately clear where the consultation paper is (unless I am being very thick). There is a press release (if you search for it), dated November 2009! But if you click the Consultations link, then Current Consultations , there it is!
I guess it was me being thick – after all, you wouldn’t expect it to be on the front page of the link you provide, would you? And God forbid that the link would be a direct one to the actual consultation page.
Mind you, I’m dying to see how this one is covered on the multitude of web forums out there. This is a consultation exercise, giving people the chance to put their views across on the compensation terms following wrongful suspension. I wonder how long before the usual stirrers start behaving as if it is already agreed?