Driving Lesson Terms and Conditions

These terms and conditions are intended to ensure that driving lessons are conducted safely, fairly and professionally, and that both the pupil and instructor understand their responsibilities.

By booking driving lessons, pupils agree to these terms and conditions, subject to their statutory consumer rights.

1. Lesson Bookings and Payments

Driving lessons are arranged by mutual agreement between the pupil and instructor.

Payment is normally due at the time of the lesson unless an alternative arrangement has been agreed.

Lessons may be paid for individually or in advance as part of a block booking.

Lesson prices will be confirmed before booking. Any changes to lesson prices will be communicated in advance and will not affect lessons already paid for at an agreed price.

2. Cancellation and Rearrangement of Lessons

I understand that circumstances change and occasionally lessons need to be cancelled or rearranged. However, late cancellations leave gaps in my diary that are often impossible to fill.

The following cancellation policy applies:

• 24 hours’ notice or more: No cancellation charge.
• Less than 24 hours’ notice: A cancellation charge of 50% of the booked lesson fee will normally apply.
• Failure to attend: Where I arrive for a booked lesson and the pupil is unavailable without having cancelled, a charge of up to 100% of the lesson fee may apply.

Cancellation charges will be limited to a fair and reasonable amount reflecting the loss incurred, including any lost earnings, taking account of costs saved and any replacement bookings.

If I am able to fill the cancelled appointment, any replacement income will be taken into account and the cancellation charge reduced or waived as appropriate.

I appreciate that genuine emergencies and unexpected illness can occur. I reserve the discretion to reduce or waive cancellation charges where appropriate, taking account of the circumstances.

3. Late Arrivals

Pupils should be ready to begin their lesson at the agreed time.

Where a pupil is late, the lesson will normally still finish at the originally agreed time, and the full lesson fee will remain payable.

If a pupil has not appeared within 10 minutes of the agreed start time, I will make reasonable efforts to contact them. If they remain unavailable, the lesson may be treated as a failure to attend under Section 2.

Where I am delayed, I will endeavour to notify the pupil and ensure that any lost lesson time is made up, credited or refunded as appropriate.

4. Prepaid Lessons and Block Bookings

Pupils who pay in advance are subject to the same cancellation policy as pupils who pay for individual lessons.

Where a cancellation charge is applicable, the appropriate amount will be deducted from the pupil’s remaining prepaid lesson balance.

For example, where a 90-minute lesson is cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, a charge equivalent to 45 minutes of tuition will normally be deducted, subject to the fairness provisions in Section 2.

Any remaining prepaid credit will continue to be available for future lessons.

Unused prepaid lesson credit may be refunded on request, less the value of lessons already taken and any fair and lawful outstanding charges. Any applicable block-booking discount adjustment must have been clearly agreed in advance and must be fair.

These terms do not affect any statutory cancellation or refund rights.

5. Repeated Cancellations

I appreciate that occasional cancellations are unavoidable. However, repeated late cancellations or failures to attend can significantly disrupt my diary.

Where a pupil repeatedly cancels lessons at short notice or fails to attend booked appointments, I reserve the right, acting reasonably, to require advance payment for future lessons or decline further bookings.

Any changes to payment arrangements will be explained before further lessons are booked.

Advance payment does not remove the pupil’s normal cancellation rights or statutory consumer protections.

6. Driving Test Bookings

Pupils wishing to use my tuition vehicle for their practical driving test should discuss the arrangements with me before booking their test.

Driving test appointments normally require a two-hour booking, allowing for a practice session before the test, the test itself and the return journey.

Where additional travelling time is necessary, a three-hour booking may be required.

The duration and cost of the booking will be agreed in advance.

The agreed booking reserves my time and vehicle for the test appointment.

7. Cancellation or Postponement of Driving Tests by the DVSA

Occasionally, the DVSA may cancel or postpone a driving test at short notice due to examiner availability, weather conditions or other circumstances.

Where this happens, the time originally reserved for the test may instead be used for a normal driving lesson, subject to the pupil’s agreement.

If the pupil does not wish to use the reserved time for tuition, the standard late-cancellation charge of 50% of the unused booking value will normally be considered, provided it is fair and proportionate to the financial loss incurred.

I recognise that DVSA cancellations are outside the pupil’s control and reserve the discretion to reduce or waive the charge entirely, depending on the circumstances.

Where the DVSA offers reimbursement of eligible expenses, I will provide reasonable assistance and supporting documentation to enable the pupil to submit a legitimate claim.

Any reimbursement is subject to the DVSA’s own rules and eligibility requirements and cannot be guaranteed.

8. Use of the Instructor’s Car for Driving Tests

The use of my tuition vehicle for a practical driving test is subject to my agreement and professional assessment of the pupil’s driving ability.

I reserve the right to refuse or withdraw the use of my vehicle for a driving test if, in my professional judgement, the pupil has not demonstrated the standard of safe and independent driving necessary to undertake the test.

This decision may be made at any time, including on the day of the test, should serious safety concerns arise.

Where reasonably possible, I will explain my concerns in advance and recommend further training or postponement of the test.

Booking a driving test does not automatically guarantee the availability or use of my vehicle.

If I withdraw the vehicle on genuine safety grounds, I will not normally be responsible for DVSA test fees or other associated costs, except where required by law.

Any payment for tuition or vehicle use not provided will be refunded or credited as appropriate, subject to fair and lawful charges for services already provided.

9. Instructor Cancellations and Vehicle Availability

Instructor Illness, Vehicle Breakdown and Driving Test Cancellations

I will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that both myself and my tuition vehicle are available for an agreed driving test appointment.

However, unforeseen circumstances, including sudden illness, mechanical or electrical failure, or vehicle breakdown, may occasionally prevent a test from taking place.

In such circumstances, I will notify the pupil as soon as reasonably practicable and, where possible, assist in exploring alternative arrangements.

Any payment for tuition or vehicle use that has not been provided will be refunded or credited as appropriate.

I cannot guarantee that every driving test appointment will proceed without interruption, and I will not automatically accept responsibility for DVSA test fees or other consequential expenses arising from genuinely unforeseen circumstances beyond my reasonable control.

Any claim for financial loss will be considered fairly, taking account of the circumstances, whether reasonable care and skill were exercised, and my legal responsibilities.

Nothing in these terms excludes or restricts liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or restricts the pupil’s statutory consumer rights.

10. Pupil Responsibilities and Safety

Pupils must hold a valid provisional or full driving licence appropriate for the vehicle and must comply with all applicable legal requirements.

Pupils must inform me of any relevant changes to their licence entitlement or circumstances that could affect their ability to drive safely.

Pupils must not attend lessons under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any substance that impairs their ability to drive safely.

I reserve the right to refuse or terminate a lesson where I reasonably believe that continuing would be unsafe.

Any charge for a lesson terminated or refused on safety grounds will be assessed fairly in accordance with the circumstances and applicable consumer law.

11. General Conditions

I aim to provide a professional, reliable and friendly learning environment and ask pupils to show the same consideration when making and keeping appointments.

Any discretion to reduce or waive charges will be exercised fairly and reasonably, taking account of individual circumstances.

These terms and conditions do not affect pupils’ statutory rights under UK consumer law, including any applicable rights relating to distance bookings, cancellation, refunds and services performed with reasonable care and skill.

These terms may be updated from time to time. Any changes will be communicated before they apply to future bookings and will not automatically alter existing agreements without the pupil’s agreement.

Effective from: 01/11/2026

Phill Godridge Driving School