Terms & Conditions

Acceptance:
  • These terms and conditions set out what I expect from you, and what you can expect from me during your training and have been updated to account for changes in work practices and procedures during the CORONAVIRUS Pandemic.  By signing this document, you are agreeing that you are over 18 years old or the parent/guardian of a Learner who is under 18, and agree to
    these terms and conditions.
Driving Instructor:
  • I am a self employed, independent Approved Driving Instructor trading under the name of Focused Driver Training.   I am not employed by, or affiliated to a Driving School.
  • I am registered with the DVSA as an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) and my ADI registration is up to date. I shall display my current DVSA ADI registration certificate in any vehicle that I use for a lesson, and I will ensure that that ADI certificate is kept up to date at all times
Driving licence requirement/Entitlement to drive:
  • Before you start training with me, you need to:
    • Be aged 17 or over, or aged 16 or over if you are in receipt of the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance
    • Hold a valid UK provisional driving licence
    • Be legally entitled to drive in the UK
  • I will check your licence online before training starts – you will need to give me your Drivers Licence Number and a Check Code so that I can do this – details on how to get this here: https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence.
  • Please let me know immediately if anything changes with your entitlement to drive e.g. health or penalty points.
 Training Vehicle:
  • My training vehicle complies with all legal requirements, is fully roadworthy and fitted with dual controls.
  • My car will be cleaned in line with the recommendations of the NASP and Driving Instructors Associations (DIA & ADIJNC). 
  • Use of your own vehicle for lessons - while government restrictions are in place for the Coronavirus Pandemic, I will not be conducting lessons in an other vehicle than my own.
 Lessons bookings and duration:
  • The minimum lesson period is one hour.
  • If, for any reason, I am late for a lesson I will do my best to let you know and give you an estimate of the new start time. When possible, lessons that start late will be extended to ensure the full lesson period is completed. If this is not possible the time missed will be added to a future lesson.
  • If you are going to be late for a lesson please let me know as soon as you can, but it is unlikely that I will be able to make up the time missed.
 Lesson location:
  • We will agree the start and finish location for each lesson in advance. I will be happy to agree alternative start / finish points with you providing that this is agreed in advance and is within my usual area.
  • I will occasionally need to drive the vehicle to and from a suitable location for practice. This travelling time forms part of the lesson and will be used for discussion relevant to the lesson.
 Payments:
  • Payment should be made in advance or at the beginning of the lesson.  Block bookings must be paid for in advance.
  • Payment via bank transfer is preferred however I will also accept PayPal or cash if required.
 Lesson Prices, Block Bookings and Refunds:
  • Current lesson prices are detailed on my website here.  Your prices won’t increase during an ongoing course of training.
  • Where block lesson bookings are made, the price is subject to all lesson hours being taken. If you wish to cancel lessons with outstanding paid hours, any hours taken will be charged for at the full normal 1 hour lesson rate of £28 with the balance of the course fee being refunded, minus a £10 administration fee.
 Cancellations:
  • If you need to cancel a lesson, please try and give me as much notice as possible.  Cancellations fees are not payable if you need to cancel because  you or someone you've been in contact with has COVID-19 symptoms or has tested positive for the virus.
  • Any other cancellation within 24 hours of the lesson start time will incur a cancellation fee which will be the full price of the lesson booked.
  • If I need to cancel a lesson, I will give you as much notice as possible, the lesson will be re-arranged as soon as possible and no lesson fee will be due for the cancelled lesson.
 Driving Tests:
  • We will jointly agree when you are ready to take your practical driving test based on my professional advice and your confidence.  You will make your own booking but I can help you if necessary. You will be using my car therefore you MUST ensure that I am available prior to confirming and paying for your test slot.
  • Please do not book your Practical Driving Tests without my prior agreement – if you choose to book your own test without my agreement, I cannot guarantee that my car will be available for your test.
  • You will need a minimum two hour lesson to allow for travel to the test centre, the test period and the journey home.  The lesson will usually start one hour before the test start time.  The lesson will be charged at the normal 2 hour lesson rate.
  • If you choose to use your own car for your test, I will advise you as to what is required however I do not need to be present.
  • Unfortunately I cannot be held responsible for test appointments cancelled by the DVSA due to bad weather, sickness, staff shortages or other reasons. Such cancellations are beyond my control and therefore any fees for booked period will be charged. I will help you in claiming compensation from the DVSA in these circumstances.
 The Driver’s (your) responsibility:
  • You will need to ensure that the following precautions are taken before, during and after lessons to ensure our Health & Safety in relation to COVID-19:
    • Wash your hands immediately before and after the lesson
    • Use hand sanitiser on entering and before leaving the car, and at other times when deemed necessary
    • Wear a face covering (mask provided) during each lesson
    • Avoid touching face during lesson
    • Inform me immediately if you, or anyone you have been in contact with, develop COVID-19 symptoms.
  • While driving the vehicle you are subject to the same rules and regulations as all other drivers in addition to the supervision restrictions and additional rules that apply if you are a provisional licence holder. This means that you are liable for any fines or other penalties that arise as a result of your driving.
  • I expect you to follow the advice and instruction given by me, as your instructor, at all times, especially in emergency situations.
  • When attending lessons you must be legally fit to drive. I will terminate a lesson without compensation if I believe it to be in the interests of your own or public safety, or if I believe a criminal offence will be committed. 
  • Specific reasons for termination include, if I suspect that you are:
    • Showing any signs of possible COVID-19 symptoms
    • Excessively tired
    • Over the legal alcohol limit or affected by alcohol in any way
    • Affected by drugs, both legal and illegal - including prescription drugs and over counter medicines
    • Affected by illness that may adversely affect concentration or control
 Code of conduct:  Complaints:
  • In the unlikely event that you should have any concerns or complaints about any part of your driver training, please discuss these with me first so that we can attempt to resolve the situation.
  • If the issue cannot be resolved I will be happy to provide you with details of how to make a more formal complaint, in accordance with the DVSA Voluntary Code Of Practice. 
 Record Keeping, Privacy and data protection:
  • Any information you supply is confidential and won’t be shared with any third party without your explicit consent.
  • Your information is kept in a secure electronic record keeping system called My Drive Time.  I will record your contact details, progress, lessons and payments.  Just let me know if you wish to check your records on this.
 Consumer rights:
  • Nothing in these terms and conditions will affect any statutory rights you may have as a consumer.