Why “illegal immigrants receiving free driving lessons” is factually incorrect

Lately, there have been claims circulating that our driving school provides free lessons to “illegal immigrants,” or that some people are being taught unlawfully. These claims are false—and potentially harmful. Here, we explain clearly and factually why someone living in the UK without legal status cannot lawfully access standard driving lessons or licences, and how our practice complies with UK law.

1. The requirement of lawful residence to hold a UK driving licence

Since 2014, the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is restricted from issuing a driving licence (provisional or full) to individuals who are not lawfully resident in the UK. Migrants' Rights Network
Under the Immigration Act 2016, additional powers exist for authorities to revoke or seize licences held by individuals without legal status. GOV.UK
In practice, this means that to apply for a driving licence (or provisional licence) in Great Britain, a person must prove they have permission to reside or otherwise satisfy immigration conditions. GOV.UK+1

Thus, someone with “no legal status” would ordinarily lack the necessary permission to be issued a licence.

2. The necessity of a provisional driving licence to take lessons

To take formal driving lessons (or even to book a theory or practical test), one must hold a provisional driving licence. GOV.UK+1
Applying for a provisional licence requires meeting certain eligibility criteria, including proof of identity, immigration/residence status, and in many cases, supplying a National Insurance number if one has it. apply-provisional-driving-licence.service.gov.uk+1
The DVLA states that in order to apply for a first provisional driving licence, an applicant must have been “given permission to live in Great Britain for at least 185 days” (i.e. a lawful status) as one of the requirements. GOV.UK

If an individual cannot fulfil these eligibility requirements, the DVLA is unlikely to approve their provisional licence application, which blocks the route to legal lessons or driving.

3. The role of a National Insurance (NI) number & eligibility

A National Insurance number is required to engage in many formal activities in the UK, such as employment or paying taxes. GOV.UK
While having an NI number is not always strictly mandatory for a licence application, many identity checks and resident status checks by government agencies will include or refer to NI data as part of verifying a person’s legal standing. GOV.UK+2Uswitch+2
But crucially: illegal immigrants, by definition, lack the legal permission to reside, work, or integrate fully into the system—so obtaining a legitimate NI number (or the right to use one in employment) is generally not possible.

In short: without lawful residence, the path to holding an NI number, and thus participating fully in formal registrations, is blocked.

4. Government funding or support for driving lessons is only for eligible residents

The UK government does not provide free driving lessons for illegal immigrants. Driving lessons are typically a private service paid for by the learner or via private funding or loans.
There is no legal scheme that subsidises or grants free driving lessons to people without lawful status.

Therefore, the claim that “illegal immigrants are getting free driving lessons” contradicts both how licences are regulated and how driving instruction is funded.

5. What this means in practice

Because of the legal and regulatory framework:

Someone without lawful status cannot legally hold a valid licence or provisional licence.
Without a provisional licence, the person cannot legally book theory/practical tests or take legitimate driving lessons under UK law.
The claims that a driving school is offering free lessons to illegal immigrants are inconsistent with how licences are issued and how immigration status is enforced.

6. Our practice: how we comply and why allegations are false

We require that each pupil holds a valid provisional licence before lessons begin.
We verify identity and legal status (e.g. proof of residence, NI, licence documentation) before providing instruction.
We are fully compliant with DVLA and UK law in all our operations.
As we have noted elsewhere, we hold verifiable documentation relating to the pupil in question, which confirms his legal status (NI number, licence, residence) and demonstrates that the allegations floating online are factually incorrect.