A dangerous legal loophole is putting children at risk
Learning to drive is a pivotal moment in a child's life but a dangerous gap in the law is leaving children at risk of being abused.
Under the Sexual Offences Act (2003) the position of trust law, makes it illegal for certain professions to engage in sexual activity with a 16 or 17 year old in their care. Teachers, faith leaders and sports coaches are included in this law but driving instructors and private tutors are not.
We're working with Drive Change to call on the government to urgently reform the law and protect learner drivers.
what we are campaigning for
The Sexual Offences Act (2003) to include driving instructors and private tutors as positions of trust
All driving instructors must receive mandatory safeguarding training
An independent complaints body is introduced for the driving instructor industry
Join us to
call for change
Donate now
help us break the cycle of abuse
Why it matters
In the UK, you can learn to drive from the age of 17 or 16 if you are in receipt of some benefits. For most children, driving lessons will take place in one on one settings, with the child left alone with their instructors for a long period of time. Instructors also have access to the child's personal details including their phone number and home or college address. Although, many instructors provide a safe experience for children, some are using their position to groom and sexually abuse their students with no legal repercussions.
Adults that work with children are expected to undertake safeguarding training, to gain the skills and knowledge they need to keep children safe. Currently, driving instructors do not need to complete any safeguarding training meaning they are not equipped to protect the young people that they teach.
The current complaints procedure asks for children to disclose concerns or complaints directly to their driving school before informing the DVSA. This approach asks for a child to confront an adult in authority, creating a barrier to reporting and increasing the pressure on the child. A trauma informed independent complaints body would ensure that children feel safe and supported to report abuse.
How to report abuse by a driving instructor
If you would like to report abuse, or if you’re feeling unsure about something that happened during your lessons, there are people who will listen and support you. It does not matter how long ago it took place.
Reporting abuse to the DVSA
Other ways to report abuse
- Contact your local sexual violence charity or the national Rape Crisis helpline 0808 500 222. They will talk to you and you can decide if you want to report it to the police or not.
- Contact the police by phoning 101.
Add your voice to our research
Media Spotlight
Explore news and media linked to Emergency Stop below. Please note, some of these articles contain descriptions of abuse.
BBC News
The Instructor Podcast
BBC Look North
Media Enquiries
Emergency Stop is a joint campaign between FearFree and Drive Change. If you are a member of the press, please contact our communications team at media@fearfree.org.uk. Our office hours are 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
Registered Charity No: 1064764; Registered in England, Company Limited by Guarantee No: 3360057
