# Check the licence or approval

Lesson 1 of [Check a driving school before you book](https://drivingschools.fyi/academy/check-a-driving-school-before-you-book.md), 15 minutes.

Rules for driving schools and instructors differ by country, and often by state or province. A listing does not show whether a school or an instructor holds the licence or approval that applies where you live. You check that with the official source.

## Ask the school first

Ask the school: Do you hold the licence or approval to teach driving where I live? Ask the same question about the instructor who will teach you. Write down the name of the licence or approval and any number the school gives you.

## Then check the official source

The site guides cite these official pages, checked on 2026-10-20. Rules change, so read the current page.

- **Ontario**: a Beginner Driver Education course is a ministry-approved course. The Ontario government publishes a list of approved driving schools.
- **Ireland**: the Road Safety Authority publishes the Essential Driver Training requirement for learner drivers. An approved driving instructor gives the training. Ask the school whether its instructor is approved for it.
- **Elsewhere**: check the official register in your state or country. If you do not know who regulates driving instruction, ask your licensing authority.

Compare the name on the official record with the name of the school you will pay. If the names are different, ask the school to explain in writing.

## What does not prove approval

- a listing on this site
- a Verified badge, a Featured label or a Sponsored label, which come with paid plans
- a logo or a statement on the school's own website, until you check it with the official source

## When you cannot confirm it

If the school does not answer, or the official source does not show the school, do not pay yet. Ask the licensing authority, or consider another school.

## Sources

- Ontario government: approved driving schools, cited in the site guides updated 2026-10-20
- Road Safety Authority (Ireland): Essential Driver Training, cited in the site guides updated 2026-10-20
- drivingschools.fyi guide: Driving lesson requirements in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and Germany, updated 2026-10-20
- drivingschools.fyi guide: Common driving school mistakes and what to ask before you book, updated 2026-10-20
- drivingschools.fyi guide: How to choose a driving school, updated 2026-10-20

This course is general information, not medical, legal or financial advice.

Also on the [web page](https://drivingschools.fyi/academy/check-a-driving-school-before-you-book/check-licence-or-approval).