General terms & Conditions (Customer care charter)
Introduction The
following terms and conditions represent the basis upon which driving
lessons are offered to you. Please note that the contract for lessons
exists between you and me and not the franchise that I may be operating
under. A franchise allows the use of copyrighted materials and also offers protection by way of a code of conduct (see below).
General conduct I am bound by a professional code of conduct. I will be courteous, polite and punctual. I will behave in a professional and ethical manner at all times. The car used for lessons will be clean and tidy and fitted with dual controls as part of the standard equipment. The car will be fully insured for driving tuition. The car will by law be a smoke-free environment. I will not use your lesson time for any other business, personal or otherwise.
Qualifications I am licensed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) to give driving tuition. I am currently operating under the Learner Driver system and am proficient in the use of this system. In addition I use other methods of training where I feel it will be of benefit. Your lesson fees also cover my continued professional development in the industry to ensure that you are always benefiting from the latest training techniques, and to ensure the continuation of my high standards.
Course materials Course materials may be purchased from me as required. Alternatively I may offer to loan them to you for a deposit that will be returned to you once you have finished with them. The deposit will be equal to the full replacement value, currently £30.00 for a dvd set and £10.00 for a theory cd-rom set. This is to ensure that I get them back as replacement would inevitably push my prices up.
Driving license and eyesight You must hold a current, valid driving license (provisional or full), which must be produced on or in advance of the first lesson. You must be able to read a standard number plate at a distance of 20.5 metres (67 feet – about 5 car lengths), with glasses if needed.
Lesson postponement/cancellation Providing I can obtain additional work for any lessons postponed no penalty will be incurred. Generally a notice period of 48 hours will be required. If it is not possible to fill your cancelled lesson the full training fee for the lesson(s) in question may, at my discretion, be lost or charged. It should be understood that quality training at great value rates is only possible if booked lessons are paid for when cancelled at short notice, particularly if those rates are currently a special offer. I reserve the right to postpone lessons if I feel that the weather or road conditions are unsuitable or dangerous.
The Driving Test a) Bookings I am able to book your driving test for you when you are ready, if that is what you wish. Driving tests take priority over all other lessons. Your lesson may therefore be postponed to allow for someone else’s driving test, and the same will apply to other people’s lessons when it is time to book your driving test. Changes to lesson bookings as a result of this will be notified immediately. Test appointments made yourself must be notified to me as soon as they are known, otherwise I cannot guarantee to provide a vehicle for the test. b) Use of the vehicle I reserve the right to withhold the use of the car for the test if, in my opinion, your driving is potentially or actually dangerous. c) Test cancellation Failure to provide the DSA with the required notice (currently 3 working days) will result in the loss of your test fee. I cannot be held responsible for any postponement or cancellation of tests by the DSA. However I will do all that I can to arrange another test as quickly as possible and assist you in reclaiming expenses from the DSA.
Punctuality If you are late I will try to contact you to find out where you are. Normally I will wait up to 20 minutes, after which I will abandon the lesson. The full training fee will still be payable. If I am delayed for whatever reason I will contact you to let you know. Any time lost will be made up at the end of the lesson where possible, or at a later date by mutual agreement.
Comfort and safety In the interests of comfort and safety you are advised to wear suitable footwear and clothing that does not restrict movement. You must also take note of any medication you are taking that may affect your ability to drive safely and advise me accordingly before taking any lesson booked.
Complaints In the unlikely event of a complaint I will make every effort to resolve it with you. However please do not let the problem linger. Should I not be able to resolve the issue with you I will provide details of where to send a written complaint.
YOUR STATUTORY RIGHTS Nothing in these terms and conditions will reduce your statutory rights relating to faulty or misdescribed goods or services provided. I have a statutory obligation to provide you with goods and services fit for the purpose for which they were bought and as described. Similarly, any goods supplied must also be fit for the purpose and as described. If you have any doubts about your statutory rights please contact your local Trading Standards Department or Citizen’s Advice Bureau.
