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Terms and Conditions

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 Tracey Elizabeth Whitfield, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Approved Driving Instructor of 1 Dunns Way, Blaydon-on-Tyne, NE21 5GH and “You” refers to the pupil to receive instruction.

1.Your Licence and Eyesight.

Your licence must be checked at View or share your driving licence information – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) before your first lesson to conform with licensing and insurance laws. I will send further guidance on how to do this by email. 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.

2. Payments and Cancellations

A booking for a first lesson will only become active once payment is made by bank transfer. All following lesson fees are payable 48 hours in advance by bank transfer. Please send a text message to confirm payment amount and account name. 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, mechanical breakdown). 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, rearrange or shorten a lesson, you must give forty-eight (48) hours’ 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.

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 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.

4. Training vehicle

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

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.

6. Driving Tests
 
a. Booking
It is your responsibility to book and manage your own driving test via the official DVSA booking system.
 
You must adhere to the following conditions when booking your driving test:
 
  • You must book your driving test directly via the GOV.UK website: www.gov.uk/book-driving-test
  • You must only book a driving test following a discussion with me regarding your test readiness, and once we have both agreed an appropriate timescale
  • You must enter my PRN (Personal Reference Number) when booking your test (this can be obtained from me prior to booking)
  • You must check my availability to accompany you to the driving test before booking
  • You must not change your driving test date or test centre without prior discussion with me
  • You are expected to book your driving test at the Gateshead Driving Test Centre unless otherwise agreed with me in advance
 
Failure to adhere to the above conditions may result in:
 
  • Refusal of the use of the driving school vehicle for your test
  • Withdrawal of my services for the driving test
 
b. Test readiness
Before booking a driving test, we will discuss your progress and come to a mutual agreement about whether you are ready.
To be deemed ready for a driving test, you must be able to confidently say yes to all of the following:
 
  • You do not need prompts from your driving instructor
  • You do not make any serious or dangerous mistakes when driving
  • You can consistently pass mock driving tests
  • You can manage your nerves effectively
  • Your driving instructor agrees you are ready
  • You must be able to drive completely independently a before from your driving test
  • You must have completed at least 2 consecutive mock test passes
 
If you cannot meet all of the above criteria, we have will have an honest conversation about postponing your driving test.
If you cannot meet all of the above criteria, I reserve the right to withhold the use of the tuition vehicle for the driving test.
 
 
c. Use of tuition vehicle for test
Use of the tuition vehicle for your driving test is strictly subject to instructor approval.
If, in my professional opinion, you are not at test standard:
  • I may advise postponing your test
  • I may refuse use of the tuition vehicle
This decision is made in the interest of your safety and to maintain a high standard of driving.
If you choose to proceed against my advice, you will need to source your own suitable vehicle.
 
d. Lesson attendance prior to test
We will agree on any lessons required in the lead-up to your test to ensure you are fully prepared.
Failure to attend these lessons may result in:
  • Withdrawal of the tuition vehicle for your test
  • Recommendation to reschedule your test
I will always aim to give you reasonable notice where possible.
 
e. Payments and Test Fees
As driving tests must be booked directly by you:
  • You are responsible for paying the driving test fee directly to the Driver and Vehicle Standards
  • Lesson fees, including the use of the tuition vehicle for the driving test, must be paid to me in advance via the usual payment method

7. Your Rights

These conditions do not affect any rights you may have under consumer protection laws.

8. Please see my Privacy policy for information on Data protection.