Richard Spiers Driving School

Terms of Business

Fees & Offers
Lesson fees will be quoted at the time of booking and may be increased at any time with a minimum of 1 month’s notice. Fees may be paid by cash, BACS payment (prior to the lesson) you can also pay by cheque or Barclays Pingit (cheque must clear before lesson start. Unpaid cheques will be subject to a £25 administration fee. Block booking payments are due at the beginning of your first lesson. Any refunds will be considered. However, any hours used will then be charged at the hourly pay as you go rate and the remainder will be refunded.

Lesson Bookings
Make and confirm all lessons with Richard Spiers Driving School. Where possible, try to give as much notice as possible of dates and times you would like. This will allow you to book your lessons at times that are convenient for you – remember 20 other pupils may also be trying to book lessons in the same week. Lessons will only be classed as booked once they have been confirmed by Richard Spiers Driving School. Lessons can only be booked if the pupil can certify that a valid suitable licence is held to drive the tuition vehicle. Pupils must inform the instructor immediately if they receive any endorsements on their licence during the period they are receiving tuition.

Cancellations
You must give a minimum of 48 hours’ notice if you wish to cancel or change your lesson. Failure to do this will result in the full lesson fee being payable or hours lost if you have prepaid. If you consistently cancel without 48 hours notice you may be required to pay in advance for future lessons. “Excessive cancellations, regardless of notice given and long periods in between each lesson session is unacceptable and may result in us withdrawing our services as your driving instruction provider.”

NTU – Not Turning Up
If you don’t show up for a lesson at the agreed date/time and location, the instructor will try to contact you when you are 10 minutes late. At 20 minutes late another attempt will be made. If no response/success from the attempt to contact then the instructor is entitled to leave the meeting location which would result in the lesson being lost by you and you will be liable for the full lesson fee.

Pick up & finish location for lessons
You should agree with your instructor where your lessons will start and finish when making any lesson bookings. Changes to your pick up and finish location will only be considered if good notice is given. If you request a different meeting or finishing place to that already agreed, your lesson may be shortened to cover any additional traveling time to avoid disrupting other lessons and tests.

Test dates
We will book the practical test on your behalf as soon as you pass your theory test in anticipation of you being ready for the practical driving test, however you will only be required to pay the instructor the DVSA test fee (currently £62) at time of booking. A date will be booked that is agreed by both pupil and instructor. On the day of the test you will be required to pay for a minimum of 2 hours use of car, which will include approximately 45 minutes of pre-test instruction including the drive to test centre, use of the vehicle during the practical test, post test debrief and journey home.

Use of your instructors driving school car
Richard Spiers Driving School reserves the absolute right to refuse, at any time, the use of their cars for any test/lessons:

• If your driving is considered below the standard required for the test or it is considered you are not likely to reach the required standard in the time available.
• If your driving standard has been adversely affected by the cancellation of lessons for whatever reason.
• If you appear unwell or to be affected by the influence of alcohol or drugs including medically prescribed drugs.
• If any fees remain unpaid.

Lesson and test bookings are accepted only on the express understanding that Richard Spiers Driving School will not be liable for any costs, expenses, claims or losses caused or incurred following their refusal or inability to provide a car/ instructor for any reason or test, for the lack of availability of any vehicle/ instructor for a lesson or test or from a cancellation of any lesson or test how so ever caused or for whatever reason. In the event of mechanical breakdown or other difficulties outside the control of the instructor, the instructor reserves the right to rearrange lessons at short notice.