Terms and Conditions

Instructor Terms and Conditions

When you’re giving driving lessons, you’re responsible for your own safety, that of your pupil and other road users.

 

You have to show a:

 

  • High regard for all aspects of road safety

  • High standard of driving and instructional ability

  • Professional approach to your customers

  • Responsible attitude to your pupils and profession

You must display your ADI registration certificate (commonly known as an ‘ADI badge’) or trainee licence while giving driving lessons.

 

1. Personal conduct

 

Driver trainers will be professional, comply with the law, keep clients safe and treat them with respect.

 

The instructor agrees to:

 

  • At all times behave professionally towards clients in line with the standards in the national standard for driver and rider training.

  • At all times comply with legislative requirements including the protection of personal freedoms, and the prevention of discrimination based on age, disability, gender, race, religion or sexual orientation.

  • Not using mobile devices like phones when driving or supervising clients’ driving and only when parked in a safe and legal place.

  • Demonstrating a high standard of driving and instructional ability upholding safety standards including showing consideration for all other road users, particularly pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders.

  • Consumer, workplace and data protection regulations, the handling, storing, use and dissemination of video or audio recordings made in or around their tuition vehicle.

  • Avoid inappropriate physical contact with clients.

  • Avoid the use of inappropriate language to the clients.

  • Not initiate inappropriate discussions about their own personal relationships and take care to avoid becoming involved in a client’s personal affairs or discussions about a client’s personal relationships, unless safeguarding concerns are raised.

  • Avoid circumstances and situations which are or could be perceived to be of an inappropriate nature.

  • Respect client confidentiality whilst understanding the actions to take if a client reveals concerns about their private lives.

  • Treat clients with respect and consideration and support them to achieve the learning outcomes in the national standard for driving cars and light vans (category B) as efficiently and effectively as possible.

  • Ensure that their knowledge and skills on all matters relating to the provision of driver training comply with current practice and legislative requirements.

  • Use social network sites responsibly and professionally:

    • Ensuring that clients personal information is not compromised

    • Ensuring when using social media for marketing purposes that what is written is compliant with privacy and data protection legislation pertaining to digital communications, the laws regarding spam, copyright and other online issues

    • Treating other users of social media including clients, colleagues and their views with respect.

    • Be careful not to defame the reputation of colleagues, DVSA, driving examiners or the ADI register.

    • Not distribute, circulate or publish footage taken of driving tests from in-car cameras, without permission from DVSA and the client

 

2. Business dealings

 

Driver instructors will account for monies paid to them, record client’s progress, advise clients when to apply for their driving tests and guide them fairly through the learning process.

 

The instructor agrees to:

 

  • safeguard and account for any monies paid in advance by the client in respect of driving lessons or for any other purpose and make the details available to the client on request.

  • On or after the first lesson, make clients aware of both this code of practice and their terms of business which should include:

    • legal identity of the instructor with a full postal address and telephone number at which the instructor can be contacted.

    • The duration of lessons

    • The terms which apply to the cancellation of lessons by either party.

    • The terms under which a refund of lesson fees may be made. 

    • The procedure for making a complaint.

    • Check a client’s entitlement to drive the vehicle and their ability to read a number plate at the statutory distance on the first lesson and regularly during their training. 

    • Make a record of a client’s progress, which will include the number of lessons provided, and ensure that the client is aware of their progress and future training requirement to achieve their driving goals

    • Discuss with and advise a client when to apply for their driving tests, taking account of DVSA’s cancellation rules, local waiting times and the instructor’s forecast of a client’s potential for achieving the driving test pass standard.

    • Not cancel or rearrange a driving test without the client’s knowledge and agreement, in the event of the instructor deciding to withhold the use of the school car for the driving test, sufficient notice should be given to the client to avoid loss of the DVSA test fee.

    • Ensure that when presenting a client for the practical driving test:

      • The client has all the necessary documentation to enable client to take the test

      • The vehicle complies with all aspects of motoring law, displays the instructor’s certificate or licence correctly and is fitted with an extra interior rear-view mirror and correctly positioned L or optionally D plates in Wales.

      • Accompany the client on their practical driving test and listen to the debrief, when requested to do so by the client

 

3. Conciliation

 

Driver trainers will deal promptly with any complaints received and aim for speedy resolution of any grievances.

 

The instructor agrees that:

 

  • complaints by clients should be made in the first instance to Droober driving school.

  • If having completed the procedure, the client has been unable to reach an agreement or settle a dispute further guidance may be sought:

    • If a client believes that their instructor is not providing a satisfactory business service they can contact their local Citizens Advice Bureau for guidance.

    • If clients are unhappy with their instructor’s professional service, the client can contact the ADI Registrar by emailing instructorconduct@dvsa.gov.uk

Student Terms and Conditions

  • The total hours of the driving course booked include the time required for taking your driving lesson and driving home at the end of the course. Please note: courses are not guaranteed to be completed over one week, larger driving courses of 30 hours or more may be completed over two weeks, subject to instructor availability.

 

  • If transportation to the test centre is required during a lesson, it will be included as part of your lesson time, starting from when you arrive in the car until we drop you off at home after the theory examination. Transportation to the test centre will only be arranged if requested, as your instructor will need to ensure that lesson times align with the test schedule.

 

  • This check is typically conducted by your driving instructor during the first lesson. If you fail the eyesight check, the training course will need to be suspended until you have corrected your eyesight. Any hours previously booked with the instructor would be forfeited.


  • If, at the end of the training course, your instructor feels that you are not prepared to take your practical driving test due to safety and security reasons, you, the pupil, will not be permitted to take your driving test. In such a scenario, you will lose your examination fee and will not be provided a refund for any unused hours, deposit, or examination fees.

 

  • Start Dates and Deposit Refunds: All deposits made online are non-refundable. Upon receiving the booking, we immediately begin the process of allocating a driving instructor, which includes scheduling driving lessons and arranging car hire for your lessons and driving test. It's important to note that any delays in starting your course will not entitle you to request a refund.

 

  • If we are unsuccessful in booking you for the first choice week, we will automatically search for the following week to complete your booking.

 

  • The deposit would become non-refundable as the driving course is successfully booked if an instructor makes contact with you and you agree on a schedule for any following week.

 

  • We are unable to refund a deposit once it has been designated due to several reasons. Driving instructors operate as independent contractors, and cancellations can result in financial loss for them, particularly if the training week has already been scheduled as per your request upon booking. Additionally, rescheduling driving courses for a later date is subject to the driving instructor's discretion and availability.

 

  • If a deposit has been received, the pupil has a period of 3 months to complete the training course from the day they have selected to start the course on the booking form. If we do not hear from the pupil for a period of 3 months (for example, if they have lost interest in completing the course), then any remaining deposit will be waived, and test costs will be forfeited.

  • Once the course hours have been scheduled in the driving instructor's diary if a student cancels any driving lessons less than one full week before the scheduled lesson, those lessons will be forfeited and time will be lost. We cannot reschedule a course once the lesson times have been agreed upon with the driving instructor without prior notice.

 

  • If a pupil schedules additional hours with the instructor and then cancels or fails to show up, these lessons will be charged and payable to the driving teacher at their usual hourly rate.

 

  • When taking an intensive driving course, it is not always possible to drive continuously. Therefore, short breaks can be arranged between you and your instructor at the discretion of both parties, whenever either of you feels that a rest is needed.

 

  • Your intensive driving course includes break times, your driving instructor's car for your practice sessions, and transportation back to your agreed meeting point at the end of the lesson or examination.

 

  • Droober Ltd serves solely as a reservation and management representative for driving instructors and schools affiliated with us, offering standard and intensive driving courses across the UK. These instructors are subcontracted through our driving school to deliver standard and intensive driving courses, with Droober Ltd providing the necessary management support for the subcontracted instructors. As a result, we do not conduct any driving courses ourselves, and all our activities are carried out in support of individual driving schools or instructors. Our revenue comes from commissions earned from successful course bookings made by clients.

 

  • A 'successful booking' is when we allocate the instructor and an ADI and also the student accepts to start the driving course.

 

  • All driving courses are booked & structured based on a general understanding of past customer experiences and serve as rough guidelines only. No warranties can be implied by any instructor. You should be prepared for additional driving lessons if it is deemed necessary before you are permitted to safely proceed to the driving test.

 

  • The contract for the Intensive Course is between the pupil and the driving instructor. Any disputes or claims should, therefore, be addressed with the instructor in the first instance, rather than with Droober Ltd. We cannot be held accountable for any settlement claims from a student, nor can we be held responsible for any traffic offences committed by the instructor or the pupil. Droober Ltd acts solely as a scheduling agent and receives compensation from the instructor for successful bookings.

 

  • The deposit, referred to as the preliminary component settlement, for the driving course is payable upon reserving a course with Droober Ltd. This deposit serves multiple purposes: it secures a local driving instructor for you and covers the ongoing administrative tasks required. It's important to note that the deposit does not constitute the full balance; rather, it serves as partial compensation to Droober Ltd for providing these services.

 

  • The remaining fee for any driving course is paid directly to the contracted driving instructor who is providing the driving course. The instructor may request payment several days before the course is due to start to ensure that the student is committed to proceeding with the course and will not cancel at the last minute.

 

  • Failing to pay for the training course, whether during the initial lesson or upon request, will result in immediate course termination, and you will lose the deposit paid. If you choose to pay the remaining balance to Droober Ltd, we will act solely as an intermediary and transfer the funds to the designated instructor for your driving course.

 

  • If we are unable to assign you an instructor for your selected starting week or alternative starting weeks, we will notify you. If we have exhausted all options in finding you a driving instructor, you may request a refund of the deposit.

 

  • In the unlikely event of the instructor's vehicle breaking down during the training course, a refund will be issued for the outstanding lesson time if an alternative instructor cannot be arranged. Lessons already taken will be charged at the standard hourly rate.

 

  • Droober Driving and your driving instructor cannot be held liable for any losses resulting from the cancellation of the training course or test due to any of the following reasons: driving course or driving test cancellation due to inclement weather (e.g., snow or ice), examiner illness, examiner strike, instructor illness, vehicle breakdown, or sudden product recall on vehicles. Whenever possible, your instructor will arrange another date to complete the training course in the event of any of the above scenarios.

 

  • Please refrain from making any travel or accommodation arrangements until the course is confirmed directly with your appointed driving instructor, especially if you are not receiving a pick-up from home.

 

  • Please do not book time off work until you have spoken to your appointed instructor, discussed, and confirmed your schedule.

 

  • All bookings have a provisional start date until confirmed directly with your driving instructor. If an instructor is unavailable for your desired start week, we will automatically search for a start the following week until the course is allocated.

 

  • If the pupil falls ill and cannot continue the training course for any reason, we will look to re-organise the training course for a time when the pupil is fit and well again. If you fall ill and need to cancel any lessons without a week's notice, these hours may be forfeited unless the instructor states otherwise.

 

  • Due to the illness, if the instructor or the student has to self-isolate and the training course has to be delayed, then you would not be entitled to a refund, you would rearrange the course when you are both fit and well.

 

The course:

 

  • All training courses are taken on with a DVSA signed-up independent instructor on a specific basis.

 

  • We do not use common courses e.g. 2 pupils in the car.

 

  • No assurance can be made regarding test availability, especially if your theory certificate is close to expiration (valid for 2 years). If a test cannot be scheduled by the end of the program, an alternative examination will be offered at a date and time suitable for both the student and instructor. If the DVSA cancels an examination for any reason, we cannot be held responsible or liable for the examination fee and any lesson time lost. You may need to purchase additional lessons to retake the test.

 

  • While every effort is made to prepare the student to the required level for the driving test, if the instructor believes that the student's standard of driving falls below the expected level, then, for the safety of the student, examiner, and general public, the student will not be allowed to take the test. No refund will be provided for any lesson or deposit time in these circumstances.

 

  • All our instructors have been approved or accredited by DVSA.

 

  • The car provided by the instructor will be adequately insured by a reputable insurance provider. A pupil can request to see insurance documentation from their teacher at any time. Droober Driving cannot be held responsible for any insurance-related claims. Any disputes are the responsibility of the Instructor. In the event of an accident, the instructor is liable to cover any insurance expenses, unless the pupil has intentionally damaged the instructor's car, in which case, it will be at the instructor's discretion.

 

  • All special offers and course/lesson prices are subject to change without notice and are at the discretion of the company.

 

  • If a gift voucher is provided by Droober Driving, then the voucher is valid for a maximum period of 6 months from the date of issue. Gift vouchers are to be used by the person or persons named on the voucher and are non-transferable.

 

  • If payment is received by an instructor for a course of lessons and the pupil does not complete the course, then the remaining hours are valid for a period of 1 month if you need to reschedule some of the hours, at the instructor's discretion. After this time, the lessons and test fees will be forfeited, and no refund will be given.

 

  • When a pupil is successful and passes their practical driving test, any additional hours may only be reimbursed at the discretion of the driving instructor. The calculation of any refund will be based on the hours used being charged at the standard hourly rate.

 


Your Obligations:

 

  • You have the ability to meet the driving test site's requirements; you can read a number plate from a distance of 20.5 meters or 67 feet.
  • You meet the DVSA requirements concerning residency and qualification.
  • You must accurately complete the booking form so that we can fulfil our administrative obligations.

  • Please inform us of any health concerns, whether mental or physical before booking, that may affect your ability to perform as expected during an intensive driving course and under potentially challenging conditions.

  • You confirm the total course hours and take note of the hours agreed upon with the driving instructor (excluding the final few hours if needed for a driving test to be scheduled) during the initial phone call with the instructor. If, after the course has commenced, we are informed that certain times and days are not feasible, or if the instructor cannot complete the course within a specific time frame, then we are unable to re-allocate the course to another local instructor.

  • You agree to book time off work or make travel and accommodation arrangements only once the hours have been fully agreed upon with an instructor who has personally contacted you and confirmed an intensive course timetable.

  • Failure to do so will result in the loss of your time, and the driving school/instructor bears no responsibility in such cases to extend the lesson. The instructor will wait for a short period at the agreed meeting point. If you fail to arrive at the meeting time and haven't contacted your instructor, we will assume the lesson has been cancelled and move on to another lesson.

  • You are required to refrain from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs at any time during your training course. If we, or a representative of Droober Driving, suspect or observe any signs of intoxication, the remainder of the program will be terminated, and you will forfeit all fees paid, including lesson fees and any deposits paid to your instructor.

  • An attitude of professionalism is expected from the student, and any abusive behaviour towards the instructor will not be tolerated. In such an event, the training course will be terminated, and any payments made will be forfeited.

  • In the first lesson, you must provide a signed provisional driving license. Failure to produce a valid provisional driving license means that, by law, the driving school/instructor cannot allow you to drive a vehicle. Consequently, your booking will be cancelled, and any fees paid will be waived.

  • The interpretation, validity, and performance of any contract shall be governed by the laws of England, Scotland, and Wales in all respects.