First Advantage

Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency

We are the appointed provider to process Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Enhanced Disclosure applications for Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and Potential Driving Instructors (PDIs).

Help and Support

For help and support during the criminal record check application process contact the First Advantage DBS administration team

Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency

Enhanced Disclosures are used by the DVSA Registrar as part of a ‘fit and proper’ assessment for the roles of ADI and PDI and to ensure the integrity of the ADI Register. This also gives the public safety reassurance when learning to drive.

ADI’s are required to obtain a new disclosure certificate prior to the renewal of their registration. To do this, please use the Application form, opposite.

DIRECTIONS

  • Details of how to apply are included in a letter sent by the DVSA approximately six months before the expiry of an ADI’s registration period. If you have not received this letter five months before the expiry of your current licence you should contact DVSA for advice.
  • Applications are made online, or on paper in exceptional circumstances.

Disclosure certificate form for ADIs

FAQs

Driving instructors are training young people and are eligible for an Enhanced Disclosure. This is part of the DVSA’s process to ensure all driving instructors are ‘fit and proper’ people and to protect young learners

ADIs: All ADIs are required to complete an application prior to the four yearly licence renewal. You will receive a letter from DVSA six months prior to your renewal advising you on how to apply.

PDIs: Contact us 0845 251 5000* (option 3) requesting an application for a PDI.

*Calls cost 3p per minute plus your telephone company’s network access charge

A bespoke package created for driving instructors electing to apply via the traditional paper-based application form. It contains all you need to get an Enhanced Disclosure.

We strongly recommend you have your identity documents verified at a Post Office branch.

Online applications include an integrated Post Office ID verification option.

If you apply using the traditional paper application form you will receive a Post Office ID checking service form in your application pack. If you elect to have your ID verified by us, we recommend you use a secure means of sending it to us, such as Royal Mail’s Recorded or Special Delivery service. Your documents will be handled with care and returned to you on the day of receipt by recorded delivery. If you wish to have your documents returned by any other service, such as Royal Mail Special Delivery, you must provide a pre-paid envelope that can be purchased from a Post Office.

You do not have to pay for the criminal record disclosure but you will have to pay the costs involved in having your identification documents checked at the Post Office or posting them to us.

Once a completed application is received by Online Disclosures an administrator will check your application for accuracy, verify ID, countersign and submit to the DBS.

A correctly completed application will be processed by us, countersigned and sent to DBS for processing within two working days of receipt. The DBS aims to process 90% of checks in 28 days. Online Disclosures progress chases all disclosures on your behalf to ensure there are no unnecessary delays. Online applications are quicker, 80% are returned in less than 10 working days.

The final confidential checking stage by local police forces may cause delays. The fact that a disclosure is taking longer than normal does not necessarily mean that there is any cause for concern. Visit: www.gov.uk/dbs, search for Police Performance to check out the performance of individual police forces.

You can monitor the progress of your disclosure using the DBS online tracking service: www.gov.uk/dbs, follow links for online tracking. You can apply online and receive email updates.

You must contact us as soon as possible. If your application is in process with the DBS it may not be possible to change the address and your copy of the Enhanced Disclosure will be sent to the address as detailed on the application form. We will endeavour to assist you wherever possible in such cases.

This is called a ‘dispute’. Follow the instructions on the reverse of your disclosure and register your dispute with the DBS. If you need additional help, contact us and we’ll help you with the process.

You have 28 days to appeal against the Registrar’s decision through the Transport Tribunal.

Each disclosure will show the date on which it was printed. Disclosures do not carry a pre-determined period of validity because conviction or other matter could be recorded against the subject of the disclosure at any time after it is issued. Because of this the Registrar will only accept a disclosure when considering applications for a maximum of 6 months from the date of issue.

The Registrar requires all driving instructors to complete a new application when they renew their registration every four years.

Yes. The DVSA has taken advice on this and at present driving instructors will need to have a DVSA Enhanced Disclosure specifically for the role of a driving instructor.

The DBS provides access to a range of different types of data including the following information:

  • Held on the Police National Computer (PNC) such as convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings in England, Wales and those recorded from Scotland. There is also some Northern Ireland conviction data held on PNC
  • Held by local police forces relating to relevant non-conviction information
  • From the Government’s Children’s Barred List
  • Held by the Department for Education (DfE) under Section 142 of the Education Act 2002 (formerly known as List 99)

Having a criminal record does not automatically mean that you cannot be a driving instructor. The DVSA will follow the DBS Code of Practice. This means they will only act on ‘significant and relevant’ information.

KnowYourPeople:
In writing to
Service and Operations Manager,
KnowYourPeople,
1 Wilford Business Park,
Ruddington Lane, Nottingham,
NG11 7EP

DBS:
In writing to
CRB Customer Relations Manager,
PO Box 110,
Liverpool,
L69 3EF

DVSA:
In writing to
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency,
The Axis,
112 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham,
NG1 6LP

The DBS issues one copy of the disclosure. This is sent to the applicant at their home address as detailed on the application form.

Your copy of the disclosure will come to your home, addressed to you. The envelope will be marked Strictly Confidential – For the Addressee Only.

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