Terms & Conditions

Introduction 

The following terms and conditions represent the basis upon which Penhale Driving School (PDS) offer driving lessons to you (the student). 

1. General conduct 

Your driving instructor will be courteous, polite, tidy and punctual. They will behave in a professional and ethical manner at all times. Their training car will be well maintained, clean and tidy (weather permitting). Their car is fitted with dual – controls and is fully insured for driving tuition purposes. Your instructor will not smoke in the training car at anytime, neither will they use your lesson time for any other form of business, personal or otherwise.

2. Qualifications 

Your instructor is legally authorised to give driving tuition in the UK by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). 

3. Driving Licence

As required by law, you must hold a current, provisional or full valid driving licence. Before your first lesson, PDS will ask you to create and supply a licence ‘check code’ by visiting https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence.

4. Eyesight

At the beginning of your first lesson your instructor will ask you to read a number plate at a distance of 20.5 metres, as required by law. 

If you need contact lenses or glasses to achieve this, you must make sure you wear them on every driving lesson. 

5. Safety, comfort and well being 

• You are advised to wear suitable footwear and clothing during your lesson.  You may not be permitted to drive if your footwear is not appropriate.

• During your lessons you must act responsibly at all times and concentrate on the driving task at hand. If something is distracting you please make your instructor aware of this even if it is something they are doing. If you are feeling uncomfortable or uneasy about any driving task please let your instructor know. 

• In an emergency situation your instructor may need to take control of the steering wheel or use the dual controls to avoid an incident. !t is important you follow their instructions and allow them to take control if necessary. As soon as it is safe to do so your instructor will explain why they needed to take control and what can be learned from the situation.

• Your instructor will do their best to deliver any instructions or take any actions (even in an emergency) in a calm and measured manner so as not to alarm you or make you feel uncomfortable or disheartened in any way. 

• They will not shout at you or use offensive, sarcastic or derogatory language. They will do their best to avoid physical contact, however in an emergency this may be unavoidable if they need to lean across to take control of the steering wheel. 

• You must take note of any medication you are taking which may affect your ability to drive safely and advise your instructor accordingly before taking any lesson booked. You should inform your instructor of anything you feel might impact on your ability to undertake the proposed lesson safely. 

• If you are unable to concentrate due to illness, tiredness, or your emotional state of mind your instructor may terminate the lesson early or choose an alternative learning activity which can still be undertaken safely. 

• To ensure the safety of you and other road users your instructor will reserve the right to cancel any lesson if you are (or it is suspected you are) under the influence of drugs, legal highs and/or alcohol (prescribed or otherwise). If this occurs the full lesson fee will be charged. 

6. Lesson postponement, cancellations and punctuality 

• If you need to cancel or postpone a booked lesson please give at least 48 hours notice. You may lose, or be required to pay for, any lessons booked which are postponed or cancelled by you, within 48 hours of your appointment.

• Your instructor may postpone your lesson if they consider the weather or road conditions to be unsuitable or dangerous. If your instructor needs to postpone or cancel your lesson you will not be charged and the lesson will be rearranged or refunded.

• Your instructor will wait for you for a maximum of 15 minutes before the lesson is abandoned. If this occurs you will lose your lesson fee. If your instructor is late for your lesson they will make up any lost time at the end of the lesson or as soon as possible on another lesson.

• Driving test always take priority over other lessons therefore your lesson may be postponed or cancelled to allow for someone else’s test. If this is the case changes to your appointments will be notified immediately.

7. Payments 

You are required to make payment for your lessons at least 48 hours before your appointment. You can make payments via internet bank transfer or with cash at the end of your previous lesson. Penhale Driving School will give details of how to pay via bank transfer at your first lesson. If payment is not received before your next booked lesson you may lose your appointment.

8. The Driving Test

PDS can book your driving test on your behalf. If you choose to book your test yourself but wish to use your instructor’s car you must check with your instructor before making the booking. Your instructor reserves the right to withhold the use of their car for the test if in their opinion your driving is not at the required standard to pass the test.