PART A – TERMS & CONDITIONS

 

1. Eligibility to Take Lessons

 

To undertake driving lessons, you must:

• Be aged 17 or over (or 16 if receiving the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment).
• Hold a valid UK driving licence (provisional or full).

You must present your driving licence when requested.

Failure to do so may result in the lesson being cancelled and charged in full.

 

2. Paying for Lessons

 

Payment Methods

Lessons may be paid for via:

• Bank transfer
• Learner app
• Credit or debit card (where accepted)
• Secure payment link (where applicable)

 

Payment Deadline

All lessons must be paid at least 48 hours before the scheduled start time.

Unpaid lessons may be cancelled and reallocated.

 

Prepaid Lesson Terms

Prepaid funds are recorded and allocated once lessons are delivered.

Missed lessons or late cancellations may be charged in full.

You remain responsible for any unpaid balances for lessons already delivered.

Any interest accrued on held funds is not payable to you.

 

Payments by Third Parties

If a third party pays on your behalf, the payment is treated as being made by you.

Refunds or access to lessons will not be granted to the payer without your written permission.

 

2A. Interpretation of Notice Periods

 

Where these Terms require a minimum notice period of forty-eight (48) hours, this means forty-eight (48) clear hours before the scheduled start time of the relevant lesson or appointment.

For example, a lesson due to commence at 3:00pm on a Wednesday must be cancelled or rearranged no later than 3:00pm on the preceding Monday.

Notice received after the required deadline shall be treated as a late cancellation and may be charged in accordance with these Terms.

 

3. Refund Policy

 

Refunds for unused prepaid lessons may be requested subject to the following conditions:

• Refunds apply only to payments made directly to the Instructor or Driving School.
• Refunds will be made to the original payment method wherever reasonably possible. Additional identity verification may be required before a refund is processed.
• Prepaid lessons and account credits must be used within six (6) months of the original payment date. After this period, any unused lessons, credits, or account balance will expire and cannot be redeemed for lessons, transferred, exchanged for cash, or refunded, except where required by law.
• The Instructor may, at the Instructor's discretion, extend the six (6) month period in exceptional circumstances, including serious illness, injury, bereavement, or other circumstances beyond the learner's reasonable control.
• All refund requests must be submitted in writing.
• Where a refund is approved, the value of any lessons already provided shall first be calculated using the standard lesson price applicable on the date each lesson was delivered, unless otherwise agreed in writing. Any promotional discount, prepaid package discount, or introductory offer may be withdrawn when calculating the refund. Any lessons forfeited under these Terms, together with any reasonable costs properly incurred by the Instructor, may also be deducted before the remaining balance is refunded.
• Approved refunds will normally be processed within fourteen (14) days of receipt of the refund request and any required verification information. The time taken for funds to appear in your account may vary depending on your bank or payment provider.

 

Nothing in this Agreement affects your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 or any other applicable consumer protection legislation.

 

3A. Consumer Cancellation Rights

 

Where lessons are purchased online, via an app, by email, telephone, payment link, or any other distance means, you may have cancellation rights under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.

 

By booking driving lessons to commence within any applicable cancellation period, you expressly request that the service begins immediately.

 

If you exercise any statutory cancellation rights after lessons have commenced, you may be required to pay for any lessons or services already provided up to the date of cancellation.

 

Nothing in these Terms affects your statutory rights.

 

4. Lesson Booking, Driving Tests & Use of Vehicle

 

Lesson times, locations, and durations are subject to mutual agreement.

Whilst every effort will be made to accommodate preferred lesson times and maintain regular lesson slots, Instructor availability cannot be guaranteed.

Prepaid lesson rates are fixed at the time of purchase. Future lessons booked after any prepaid balance is exhausted may be charged at the Instructor's current rates.

 

Driving Test Bookings

The booking, management, amendment, postponement, and cancellation of all theory and practical driving tests are solely the responsibility of the learner.

Prior to booking a practical driving test, learners should confirm the Instructor's availability for any required pre-test lesson and use of the tuition vehicle. The Instructor cannot guarantee availability unless this has been confirmed in advance.

The learner is responsible for ensuring that the Instructor is informed promptly of any test booking, amendment, postponement, cancellation, or rescheduling.

The Instructor accepts no responsibility for losses, fees, or expenses arising from test bookings made without confirming availability.

 

Use of Vehicle for Practical Driving Tests

Use of the Instructor's vehicle for a practical driving test is entirely at the Instructor's discretion.

As a condition of using the Instructor's vehicle for a practical driving test, the learner must successfully complete a mock driving test conducted by the Instructor to a standard considered suitable for the practical driving test.

Successfully completing a mock driving test does not guarantee a pass in the DVSA practical driving test. Failure to successfully complete a mock driving test will normally result in permission to use the Instructor's vehicle being withheld.

 

The Instructor reserves the absolute right to refuse use of the tuition vehicle where, in their professional opinion:

• The learner has not successfully completed a mock driving test to a standard considered suitable for the practical driving test;
• The learner has not reached a safe and consistent test standard;
• The learner is likely to present a risk to themselves, the examiner, the Instructor, or other road users;
• The learner does not satisfy DVSA requirements;
• The vehicle is unavailable due to mechanical, safety, legal, or operational reasons; or
• Any circumstance exists which makes use of the vehicle inappropriate or unsafe.

 

Where use of the vehicle is refused because the learner has failed to meet the above requirements, any associated lesson, warm-up session, vehicle hire fee, or test-day booking may remain chargeable.

 

5. Cancellations, Rearrangements & Non-Attendance

 

Cancellations

A minimum of 48 hours' notice is required to cancel or reschedule any lesson.

Cancellations with less notice may be charged in full.

Repeated late cancellations may result in refusal of further lessons.

 

Learner Arriving Late

Where a learner arrives after the scheduled lesson start time, the lesson will still finish at the originally agreed time unless the Instructor agrees otherwise.

If the learner has not arrived within fifteen (15) minutes of the scheduled start time and no reasonable communication has been received, the Instructor may leave the agreed meeting location and the lesson shall be treated as a non-attendance (no-show).

 

Non-Attendance (No-Shows)

If a learner does not attend a scheduled lesson:

• The Instructor will wait up to 15 minutes from the scheduled start time.
• If no contact is made within this time, the lesson is classed as a no-show.

No-show lessons are charged in full and are non-refundable.

 

6. Instructor Delays or Cancellations

 

If the Instructor is delayed, lesson time will be made up where reasonably possible.

If the Instructor cancels a lesson, no charge will be made and the lesson will be rearranged.

Where delays are caused by events outside the Instructor's reasonable control, lesson time may not always be fully recoverable.

The Instructor shall not be liable for any driving test fees, travel expenses, loss of earnings, compensation claims, or consequential losses arising from lesson cancellations, delays, vehicle breakdowns, or circumstances beyond the Instructor's reasonable control.

 

7. Insurance & Indemnity

 

SA Driving,  maintains appropriate public liability and professional indemnity insurance in connection with driving tuition services.

Learners may be asked to complete an insurance acknowledgement form before their first lesson.

Booking lessons confirms your agreement to complete this form.

Lessons cannot proceed until the form has been completed if required.

 

7A. Lessons Conducted in the Learner's Own Vehicle

 

Where lessons are conducted in a vehicle supplied by the learner, the learner is responsible for ensuring that:

• The vehicle is roadworthy and safe to drive;
• The vehicle is taxed, insured, and holds a valid MOT certificate where required;
• The vehicle complies with all legal requirements;
• The vehicle's insurance policy specifically permits driving tuition and any use for reward where required.

The Instructor reserves the right to refuse or terminate a lesson where any legal, insurance, safety, or roadworthiness concerns arise.

Any lesson cancelled or terminated for such reasons may remain chargeable.

 

8. Liability

 

The Instructor and Driving School shall not be liable for:

• Loss or damage not resulting from a breach of legal duty;
• Losses that were not reasonably foreseeable;
• Losses resulting from the learner's negligence, actions, omissions, or failure to follow instructions;
• Delays, cancellations, interruptions, or losses caused by circumstances beyond the Instructor's reasonable control, including but not limited to traffic incidents, road closures, severe weather, vehicle breakdown, illness, emergencies, industrial action, or government restrictions;
• Business-related losses including loss of income, loss of opportunity, loss of profits, or consequential losses.

Where circumstances outside the Instructor's reasonable control prevent a lesson, driving test attendance, or use of the tuition vehicle, the Instructor's liability shall be limited to the value of any prepaid lesson affected unless otherwise required by law.

Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for:

• Death or personal injury caused by negligence;
• Fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or
• Any liability which cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.

 

8A. Force Majeure (events beyond reasonable control)

 

The Instructor shall not be liable for any delay, cancellation, interruption, failure to perform, or inability to provide lessons or the tuition vehicle where such circumstances arise as a result of events beyond the Instructor’s reasonable control.

Such events include, but are not limited to:

• Severe weather;

• Flooding;

• Fire;

• Road traffic collisions;

• Vehicle breakdown or mechanical failure;

• Road closures or major traffic disruption;

• Illness or injury affecting the Instructor;

• Family emergencies;

• Industrial action;

• Government restrictions;

• Public health emergencies; or

• Any other unforeseen event beyond the Instructor’s reasonable control.

 

Where reasonably practicable, affected lessons will be rearranged. Nothing in this clause affects any statutory rights that cannot lawfully be excluded.

 

9. Data Protection & Privacy

 

The Instructor acts as a Data Controller for the purposes of applicable UK data protection legislation, including the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.

Personal information may be collected and processed for the purposes of:

• Managing lesson bookings;
• Maintaining learner records and progress notes;
• Identity verification;
• Fraud prevention;
• Processing payments and refunds;
• Communicating regarding lessons, tests, and services;
• Complying with legal, regulatory, insurance, and professional obligations.

Personal data will only be retained for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law.

Personal data will not be sold to third parties. Information may be shared with service providers, insurers, payment processors, legal advisers, regulators, or law enforcement agencies where necessary and lawful to do so.

Learners have the right to request access to their personal data, request correction of inaccurate information, request erasure where applicable, object to certain processing activities, and lodge a complaint with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO).

 

Any privacy-related requests should be directed to:

Email: drive@sadriving.co.uk
Telephone: 07826 684861

 

10. Code of Conduct (Incorporation Clause)

 

All learners must comply with the Learner Code of Conduct set out below.

The Code of Conduct forms part of these Terms & Conditions.

Failure to comply may result in lessons being refused, terminated, or charged in accordance with these Terms.

 

10A. Termination of Tuition

 

Either party may terminate the learner–Instructor relationship at any time.

The Instructor may terminate tuition immediately where:

• Fees remain unpaid;
• The learner repeatedly cancels lessons at short notice;
• The learner repeatedly fails to attend booked lessons;
• The learner engages in abusive, aggressive, discriminatory, threatening, or inappropriate behaviour;
• The learner presents a safety risk;
• The learner breaches these Terms & Conditions or the Code of Conduct; or
• Continued tuition is no longer reasonably practicable.

 

Where tuition is terminated, any remaining prepaid balance shall be dealt with in accordance with the Refund Policy.

 

11. Governing Law

These Terms & Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of England and Wales.

Any dispute arising from these Terms & Conditions shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

 

PART B – LEARNER CODE OF CONDUCT

 

1. Be Prepared

Learners must:

• Bring a valid driving licence when required;
• Wear suitable footwear and clothing;
• Bring corrective eyewear if required;
• Be on time and ready to learn.

 

2. Respect Lesson Time

If a learner arrives late, the lesson will still end at the scheduled time and is charged in full.

Provide at least 48 hours' notice for cancellations.

Keep mobile phones silent unless agreed otherwise.

Repeated missed or late-cancelled lessons may result in removal from the diary.

 

3. Safety & Fitness to Drive

Learners must:

• Follow Instructor instructions at all times;
• Not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or when unwell or fatigued;
• Inform the Instructor of any medical, legal, or personal issues affecting safe driving.

Lessons may be refused if it is unsafe to proceed.

Where a lesson is refused or terminated due to the learner being unfit to drive safely, the lesson may still be charged in full.

 

Illness

Learners must not attend lessons if they are suffering from any illness, medical condition, or symptoms that may impair their ability to drive safely or present a significant risk of transmitting a contagious illness to the Instructor.

Where, in the Instructor’s reasonable opinion, it is unsafe or inappropriate for the lesson to proceed due to the learner’s physical condition or suspected contagious illness, the Instructor reserves the right to refuse or terminate the lesson.

Where reasonable notice has not been given and the lesson cannot proceed for these reasons, the lesson may remain chargeable in accordance with these Terms.

 

4. Behaviour Standards

• Treat the Instructor and vehicle with respect.
• Aggressive, abusive, discriminatory, threatening, or inappropriate behaviour will result in immediate termination of the lesson.
• Learners may be held financially responsible for damage caused deliberately or recklessly.
• Learners should not bring into the vehicle any item, food, drink, substance, clothing, or footwear likely to cause damage, staining, excessive dirt, contamination, or odours.
• Where cleaning, repair, replacement, valeting, or other remedial work is reasonably required due to damage, staining, soiling, contamination, misuse, or excessive odours caused by the learner, the learner may be charged the reasonable cost of restoring the vehicle to its previous condition. This may include the reasonable cost of professional valeting, specialist cleaning, repairs, replacement of damaged items, or loss of use where applicable.

 

4A. Smoking, Vaping, Food & Drink

Smoking, vaping, and the use of e-cigarettes are strictly prohibited within the tuition vehicle.

Food and hot drinks are not permitted within the tuition vehicle unless agreed in advance by the Instructor.

The learner may be charged the reasonable cost of cleaning or repairs arising from spills, stains, burns, damage, or contamination caused by food, drink, smoking, vaping, or similar activities.

 

5. Communication

Learners should communicate openly.

If you feel anxious, uncomfortable, or need a break, inform your Instructor.

 

6. Recording Policy

Audio or video recording by learners or third parties during lessons is not permitted unless the Instructor has provided prior written consent.

The tuition vehicle may be fitted with one or more dashcams capable of recording video, audio, vehicle location, speed, and other operational data.

Recordings may capture both the interior and exterior of the vehicle and may be used for purposes including:

• Road safety;

• Driver training;

• Insurance claims;

• Accident investigation;

• Crime prevention and detection;

• Protection of the Instructor, learner, and members of the public;

• Responding to complaints or legal proceedings.

Recordings will be processed and retained in accordance with applicable UK data protection legislation and will only be disclosed where lawful and appropriate.

 

7. Breach of Code of Conduct

Failure to comply with this Code of Conduct or these Terms & Conditions may result in:

• Immediate cancellation or termination of the lesson (without refund);
• Refusal of future lessons;
• Termination of the learner–Instructor agreement.

 

8. Contact & Complaints

Any concerns, feedback, or complaints should be raised directly with:

Stuart Alsopp
Email: drive@sadriving.co.uk
Telephone: 07826 684861

Complaints Procedure

The Instructor is committed to providing a professional and high-quality service.

Complaints should preferably be submitted in writing and include sufficient detail to allow the matter to be investigated.

Complaints will normally be acknowledged within seven (7) days.

A substantive response will usually be provided within twenty-one (21) days, although more complex matters may require additional time.

Where appropriate, reasonable efforts will be made to resolve complaints informally and amicably.

 

 

These Terms & Conditions and Code of Conduct are reviewed periodically and may be updated from time to time.

Where material changes are made, learners will be notified through the Total Drive App, email, or another reasonable method of communication.

Any updated Terms shall apply to future bookings and lessons following notification.

The latest version will be available through the Total Drive App, on the driving school website, or upon request.