From 1 April 2025, the Scottish Government made it a legal requirement for Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs), Potential Driving Instructors (PDIs) and rider trainers to be part of the Scottish Government Protecting Vulnerable Groups scheme.

The scheme also includes anyone in a regulated role working with children under the age of 18 or protected adults in Scotland.

If you have not already registered, there is a grace period to submit an application, which ends on 30th June.

What training schools need to do

If you are a training school that offers instruction in Scotland and have driver or rider trainers working for the company, the first step is to register your organisation with Disclosure Scotland. A link is then sent to the individual instructors who work for you to complete.

Details on the process for organisations to start a PVG application can be found on the Disclosure Scotland website.

If a trainer works for multiple companies, they will need to be registered with all those they work for.

Self employed trainers

Self employed driver and rider trainers who work in Scotland need to download and complete an application to join the PVG scheme.

If you are already a member of the scheme, you will need to complete an application form for existing members to be in line with the changes.

There is a grace period to register, which ends on 30th June. This will ensure individuals and organisations don’t commit an offence if they are not PVG scheme members but are currently working in regulated roles.

Other considerations       

This process will be in addition to the normal DVSA application process for driver and rider trainers, which includes completing a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check.