Key takeaways
- A green badge on the windscreen means a fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI).
- A pink badge means a trainee instructor licensed by the DVSA to give lessons while training.
- Ask about prices, lesson length, cancellation terms and how progress is tracked.
- Be wary of pass-rate claims that can't be explained or evidenced.
Check the badge
Anyone paid to teach you to drive must be registered with the DVSA. They must display their badge on the windscreen during lessons:
| Badge | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Green (octagonal) | Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) — fully qualified |
| Pink (triangular) | Trainee instructor with a DVSA trainee licence |
Both have passed criminal record checks as part of DVSA registration.
Questions to ask
- How much are lessons, and are there any extra fees?
- How long is each lesson?
- What's your cancellation policy?
- How will I know my progress?
- Manual, automatic, or both?
- Do you cover my area and test centre?
Red flags
- No visible badge.
- Prices that change once you've started.
- Pressure to book a test before you're ready.
- Pass-rate figures with no explanation of how they're calculated.
How SQ answers those questions
All our prices are on our website (2-hour lessons £70, 10 hours £350 or £320 with a discount). Your progress is tracked in the free DriveSQ Student Portal, and we only publish genuine reviews — see our review policy.
Learning with SQ? 2-hour lessons £70 · 10 hours £350 (£320 NHS, students, M16/M18/M19) · free DriveSQ Student Portal. Book in 60 seconds →
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a green and pink badge?
Green is a fully qualified ADI. Pink is a trainee licensed by the DVSA to teach while completing training.
How do I know my instructor is approved?
They must display a DVSA badge on the windscreen during paid lessons.
Sources
This guide is general information, checked against the official sources above on 9 October 2026. Rules and figures can change — always check GOV.UK before booking or travelling.