Terms and Conditions

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Please read these terms and conditions carefully as they are the basis of your contract with me for driving tuition. By booking a driving lesson with me, you agree to these terms and conditions.

In these terms and conditions: “I” or “me” refers to Mick Duncan, Driver and Vehicle  Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor, 143 Coast Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7RQ; and “You” refers to the pupil to receive instruction.

[expand title=”1. Your Licence and Eyesight”]

You must hold a current, valid UK driving licence (provisional or full) and produce it on or before your first lesson. You must be fit to drive. Your eyesight will be checked on your first lesson (you must be able to read a car number plate from a distance of twenty (20) metres with glasses or contact lenses if necessary).
You must inform me of any medical condition/medication that may affect your ability to drive or obtain/retain eligibility to drive.
You must inform me IMMEDIATELY if there is any change in your eligibility for a licence or if you are no longer fit to drive, whether due to a deterioration in your eyesight or otherwise.[/expand]

[expand title=”2. Payments and Cancellation“]

A booking for a first lesson will only become active once payment is made by bank transfer.
Lesson fees are payable forty eight (48) hours in advance by bank transfer.
I will do all I can to ensure that your lessons start and finish on time, but I reserve the right to cancel, postpone or change lesson lengths and start/finish times under certain circumstances (e.g. dangerous weather conditions). In the event of postponement fees paid in advance will be carried forward.
I will make every effort to arrive on time for your lesson. If I believe I may be more than ten (10) minutes late, I will (where possible) send you a text message to inform you. If I am late, I will either make the time up at the end of the lesson or, if that is not possible, the time will be added onto the next lesson by mutual agreement.
If you are late, the lesson will not be extended and will still finish at the allotted time.
If you need to cancel or rearrange a lesson, you must give me at least forty eight (48) hours’ notice for single lessons of up to two (2) hours duration. Longer lessons need a minimum of four (4) days’ notice. If you do not give the requisite notice, you will be charged the full lesson fee and any other lessons booked may be subject to cancellation unless you contact me promptly to confirm the bookings.
If you do not show for your lesson I will attempt to contact you and I will wait fifteen (15) minutes before leaving. If this happens, you will be charged the full lesson fee and any other lessons booked may be subject to cancellation unless you contact me promptly to confirm the bookings.
I reserve the right to cancel a lesson at short notice if I believe you may be unfit due to the effects of alcohol, drugs (prescribed or otherwise) or any other condition that would cause your driving to be dangerous or illegal. In such circumstances you must pay the full lesson fee. I also reserve the right to refuse driving lessons to you if I deem your behaviour to be unreasonable.
Cancellation policy will not apply if the reason for cancellation is Covid-19 related and any monies already paid will be transferred to the next lesson.
If a lesson is cancelled because of a Covid-19 reason no more lessons will be booked for three (3) weeks to allow for self-isolation/quarantine time etc (unless a valid Covid-19 free test result can be produced)
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[expand title=”3. Training Location“]

All lessons will start and finish at the same location unless alternative arrangements are made in advance. I will determine a location for practical lessons which ensures both the your and the public’s safety – this means that I may need to drive you to and from the lesson location; this journey time forms part of the lesson as paid for.[/expand]

[expand title=”4. Training vehicle“]

The training vehicle provided is taxed, insured for the purposes of driving tuition, fully roadworthy and fitted with dual controls.[/expand]

[expand title=”5. Motoring Convictions“]

You must inform me IMMEDIATELY of any motoring convictions and fines you have. You are liable for any motoring convictions and fines gained while driving on a lesson or test.[/expand]

[expand title=”6. Driving Tests“]

  1. Booking
    I will discuss with you test readiness and come to an agreement on when to book a driving test. We will agree upon lessons necessary to ensure you get to a standard that will enable you to pass the DVSA test AND be ready for driving safely without supervision. If you miss any of these lessons, I reserve the right to reschedule the test or to withhold the use of the driving school car for the driving test. I will not do so without giving you prior notice.
    I will normally book your driving test for you at the current DVSA test cost. This service is free of charge; however, you must pay me the DVSA Test fee before I will book the test.
    You may book your own test, with my permission and agreement regarding test readiness & suitable dates and times; however, when booking the test you must use my ADI number (262555) to ensure there is no chance of double booking.
  2. Your Licence
    It is your responsibility to bring your photo card driving licence and theory test certificate with you on the day of your driving test. If you lose or mislay your licence, any test booked (theory or practical) must be cancelled/rescheduled. It is your responsibility to inform me as soon as possible of any lost/mislaid licence. Please see below “Cancellation of a Test” for important information.

c. Using the School Car
Safety is paramount and my decision on your test readiness is final. I reserve the right to refuse use of the school car for test if I consider that your driving standard could cause a risk to public safety or the car. I accept no liability for any loss arising from my refusal to provide the school car in such circumstances.
Where the school car is used for test, the booking period will based upon my normal diary schedule. Depending on the time of the test, this will require a minimum two hour booking and possibly longer.
While I will make every effort to ensure the vehicle supplied for test will be fully roadworthy and comply with all legal requirements at the start of the test, I cannot be held responsible for vehicle failure that occurs during the test and I am not liable for any loss arising out of or in connection with any such failure.
I will make every effort to make the school car you are learning in available for your test. In the event of an accident or mechanical breakdown of the school car, I will endeavour to supply an alternative vehicle, which may be a different make/model; however, this is outside my reasonable control and I cannot be held liable for failure to provide an identical specification vehicle. If I am unable to supply an alternative vehicle, my liability is limited to paying for a new test date only.
d. Cancellation of a Test
IMPORTANT: If you need to cancel or re-schedule your test (e.g. because you lose or mislay your licence), the DVSA requires at least three (3) clear working days’ notice (Monday to Saturday excluding public holidays in England) or you will forfeit the test fee (DVSA rules).
If I have booked your test, or if you would like me to cancel/re-schedule your test, you must give me an additional day’s notice (i.e. 4 clear working days’ notice) to ensure that the above DVSA notice requirements can be met. If the test is to be re-scheduled, you must tell me your availability for such re-scheduled test at the same time; however, I cannot guarantee the availability of alternative test dates and I may have to cancel the test and re-schedule at a later date.
I cannot be held responsible for any loss of test fees arising from failure by you to give sufficient notice in accordance with this Clause 6.d. If you have given me the requisite notice and I fail to inform the DVSA in time, my liability is limited to paying a new test fee.
I cannot be held responsible for test appointments cancelled by the DVSA due to bad weather, sickness, staff shortages or other reasons beyond my control. Such cancellations are beyond my reasonable control and the lesson fee and ‘use of car’ fee for the booked period will be charged. However, in such circumstances (other than bad weather) you may be able to claim limited compensation from the DVSA (I can help you with this).[/expand]

[expand title=”7. COVID-19 Precautions and PPE“]

Due to Covid-19 the DVSA are requiring test candidates wear a mask/face covering for the duration of the test.

I will be wearing a mask/face covering and you must do the same.

If you turn up for the lesson without a mask/face covering the lesson will not go ahead and the lesson fee may be forfeit. (I may have masks available but please do not rely on this and bring your own).

When I arrive for your lesson I will be wiping down all contact points. Please DO NOT approach the car until I say I am ready (DVSA advice)’

Please wash your hands thoroughly immediately before your lesson.

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[expand title=”8. Your Rights”]

These conditions do not affect any rights you may have under consumer protection laws. [/expand]