Women Who Were Sexually Assaulted by Their Driving Instructor Call for Tighter Regulation. #BBCNews

Why It Matters

The campaign highlights gaps in safeguarding and reporting for learner drivers and could prompt regulatory changes that impose stricter vetting, oversight, and mandatory reporting responsibilities on driving instructors to better protect minors. Such reforms would have legal and operational implications for driving schools and regulator enforcement practices.

Summary

Two women who were sexually assaulted by their driving instructor as teenagers are campaigning for tighter regulation after their attacker received a suspended prison sentence following reports made more than five years later. The women say the instructor groomed and assaulted them during lessons and that they lacked guidance on how to report the abuse at the time. They are urging the law be changed so driving instructors are designated similarly to teachers and social workers who work regularly with under-18s. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency said it treats complaints seriously and encourages pupils to report inappropriate conduct.