The new Driving Instructor Code of Practice will be mandatory from late 2026, early 2027. Having reviewed the new Code, one small amendment I am making is in relation to the use of photographs and videos I publish.
Earlier this year I became aware of a Facebook page that used driving test pass photographs from across the UK, particularly of women, in a gratuitous way. As a result I tightened up the permissions and usage of my own photographs of your successes.
The new Code now states that all photographs, videos and other material used for publication must have written consent. Previously I only relied on verbal consent.
With your safety in mind, here then is the code within my terms and conditions that I will ask you to sign when commencing your tuition. For existing clients rather than send a new copy of the T&C's if I use your photograph I will obtain indiviudal written consent.
The part highlighted in bold represents the change to my current policy.
Remember, Photographs and Videos will only be used for persons who are 18 years or over.
13.2. Photographs, Videos and Promotional Media
3. Driving-Ed Automatic may, from time to time, ask to take photographs or video recordings of a pupil, including (but not limited to) after a successful practical driving test, during lessons, or at other appropriate times.
4. No photographs or videos will be taken or used without first obtaining the pupil's written consent. Signing these terms and conditions provides that written consent unless you are below the age of 18.
5. By accepting these Terms and Conditions, the pupil acknowledges and agrees that, where written consent has been given, such photographs and/or video recordings may be used by Driving-Ed Automatic for promotional, advertising and marketing purposes. This may include, but is not limited to, the Driving-Ed Automatic website, social media platforms, online advertising, printed marketing materials and other publicly accessible media.
6. Photographs and videos will only be taken and used where the pupil is aged 18 years or over.
7. The copyright and all intellectual property rights in any photographs, videos or other media created by or on behalf of Driving-Ed Automatic shall remain the sole property of Driving-Ed Automatic.
8. The pupil is granted a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free licence to download, share, copy and repost such media for their own personal, non-commercial use, provided that the media is not edited, cropped, filtered or otherwise altered in a manner that removes or obscures the Driving-Ed Automatic name, logo, watermark or branding, or in any way that could reasonably be considered misleading or damaging to the reputation of Driving-Ed Automatic.
9. The pupil agrees not to use any photograph or video created by Driving-Ed Automatic in connection with another driving school, driving instructor, driving tuition business or any competing service without the prior written consent of Driving-Ed Automatic.
10. A pupil may withdraw their consent for future use of their image or video at any time by notifying Driving-Ed Automatic in writing. Withdrawal of consent will not affect material that has already been published or distributed before the request was received. Driving-Ed Automatic will make reasonable efforts to remove such media from platforms and publications under its direct control where reasonably practicable, but cannot guarantee the removal of media that has already been shared, copied or republished by third parties.
11. Driving-Ed and it's representatives will follow the Advertising Codes of Practice enforced by the Advertising Standards Authority.