Primary position

Have emailed the DSA asking for guidance on what I should be saying to instructors. Highway code point 61 & 63 are the key:

"Use of these facilities is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer."

&

"Use of cycle lanes is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer"

^good work - look forward to hearing their reply/stance.

Update, a response:

Thank you for your email of 25 July.

This Highway Code applies to England, Scotland and Wales and it is important that all road users are aware of the Code and are considerate towards each other.

Rules 61 and 63 make it clear that use of cycle facilities or lanes is not compulsory.

All Approved Driving Instructors (ADI’s) must be registered with the Driving Standards Agency. Instructors are subject to ‘check tests’ every so often. Their instructional ability is assessed and graded. It would be expected that an ADI would have a wide ranging knowledge of the code.

If this should happen again we can only suggest that you politely remind them of rules 61 and 63 and if this should lead to a similar situation occurring you can ask for their details.

A fully qualified ADI must display a green badge on the windscreen of the car while teaching. Some trainee driving instructors are given a trainee licence so they can get experience before their qualifying test. They must display a pink badge on the windscreen.

If this is not forthcoming you should make a note of the vehicle details and any other helpful information and send this with details of your complaint to us at the above address. We will then look into the matter.

In the case of any threat of assault or abusive behaviour you should also consider reporting this to the Police.

I hope this is of assistance.