Terms and Conditions for Driving Lessons-
-Calm Driving provides franchise terms for self-employed driving instructors who work under the Calm Driving School brand. Calm Driving’s head office manages bookings for new clients on behalf of our instructors.
-Customers must pre-pay for their first driving lesson at least 48 hours in advance. After this initial lesson, the individual driving instructor will handle all bookings and payments directly. Starting from the first lesson, your contract is with the independent driving instructor.
-Our instructors are franchisees, which means they operate independently while still representing Calm Driving.
-Calm Driving and its instructors operate as independent businesses under the Calm Driving brand.
-After booking your first lesson, you have 48 hours to make your payment. If you do not pay within this time frame, your lesson will be cancelled.
-When you prepay for your initial lesson, you confirm that you accept Calm Driving’s terms and conditions. This applies to all clients, whether the payment is made by the client or on their behalf by a parent, partner, friend, or family member.
-To learn to drive, you must have either a provisional or full UK driver’s license. You cannot have lessons without this license, as it is a legal requirement. You must show your license to your instructor during the first lesson. You will be charged for the session if you do not present your license.
By booking lessons with Calm Driving, you agree to the following terms:
1. Using the Training Car for the Driving Test:
You can use your instructor’s training car for your driving test if the instructor thinks you are ready. Please note that the driving test fee is separate.
2. Payment for Lessons:
You must pay for lessons 48 hours before your lesson commences. If payment is not received by the deadline, your booking will be cancelled.
All customers must pay in advance for each lesson or block booking.
3. Pupil Responsibilities:
You must not be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that affects your ability to drive. If you are found to be under such influence, your lesson will be cancelled, and you will need to pay the full fee to the instructor.
4. Cancellation Policy:
-You must give your instructor two clear working days’ notice to cancel or reschedule a lesson.
-You will be charged for the full lesson if you cancel within this period (less than 48 hours’ notice).
-To rebook after a cancellation, you must prepay for your next lesson.
5. Provisional License Requirement:
-If you fail to inform your instructor that you do not have a provisional or full UK driver’s license, and the lesson gets cancelled within 48 hours, you will be charged the full amount.
6. Failure to Attend:
-You will be charged for the full session if you do not attend a scheduled lesson without notice.
-If you miss the lesson, the time will be taken from your remaining lesson or course duration, and you will still be charged for the entire appointment.
7. Booking Your Practical DVSA Test:
-Calm Driving and its franchise instructors do not book your practical driving test for you. This is your responsibility. Your instructor can help you book it, but Calm Driving is not responsible for the booking process.
You need to pay in advance for at least two hours of your instructor’s time and the use of their car on your test day. There may be extra charges for different types of tests, so please ask for a quote in advance.
DVSA Driving Test-
Calm Driving reserves the right to refuse the use of our vehicles for any test or lesson at any time under the following circumstances
-If your driving skills are below the required standard for the test or your instructor believes you are unlikely to reach the required standard in the available time.
-If your driving standard has been negatively affected by the cancellation of lessons for any reason.
-If you appear unwell or are under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescribed medications.
-If any fees remain unpaid.
Calm Driving retains the sole right to provide its tuition vehicles; our decision will be final.
Calm Driving will not be liable for any costs, expenses, claims, or losses incurred due to our refusal or inability to provide a vehicle or instructor for any reason. This includes a lack of availability of vehicles or instructors for lessons or examinations or the cancellation of any lesson or test for any reason.
If your instructor accompanies you to your driving test and the test does not proceed due to your negligence, such as booking the wrong day or test centre, you will still be required to pay your instructor for the standard lesson to cover their costs and time.
Zero Tolerance Policy
Calm Driving enforces a zero-tolerance policy. Customers who become threatening, abusive, or violent or who harass office staff or instructors will be reported to the police. Their lessons and any future lessons with the instructor and Calm Driving will be terminated.
All liability during a driving lesson rests with the franchised driving instructor and the student, not with Calm Driving brand, as all driving instructors operate as self-employed individuals. Calm Driving acts solely as a booking service.
Please note that our school does not book the practical driving test on your behalf; this responsibility lies with you. Your driving instructor can advise you on how to book your test or may book it as part of their commitment. However, Calm Driving will not be responsible for making the booking.
Driving Lessons Agreement and Terms
All driving instructors operate as self-employed independent tutors. When you book a lesson with an instructor, you create a direct agreement between yourself and the instructor. Calm Driving serves only as an introductory service and is not liable for any accidents, disputes, or refunds.
If you encounter any issues, please address them directly with the instructor you are working with. If the dispute remains unresolved, Calm Driving will help by escalating the complaint to the DVSA, which oversees the conduct and licensing of driving instructors and ensures all instructors adhere to the DVSA Code of Conduct.
Before Your Lesson Starts
-Pupils are expected to take regular weekly driving lessons. The instructor will manage all arrangements concerning each lesson’s timing, location, and duration.
-Pupils must confirm that they are not prohibited from driving by any court judgment and must provide proof of a valid provisional driving license along with their license share code.
-If you have any disabilities that may affect your driving ability, please inform the office or your instructor.
-Calm Driving provides franchise terms to self-employed instructors under the Calm Driving School brand. Our head office handles initial bookings for new clients.
Key Policies
All new customers must pre-pay for their first driving lesson 48 hours before. Subsequent bookings and payments will be managed directly by your instructor.
Candidates must possess a valid provisional or full UK driver’s license to take lessons. Payment for that session is still required if a license is not presented during the first lesson.
By pre-paying for your initial lesson, you confirm your acceptance of these terms, regardless of who makes the payment on your behalf.
Liability and the Calm Driving Brand-
By consenting to these terms and conditions, you acknowledge that liability resides solely with the driving instructor and yourself as the pupil. Calm Driving and its owners do not accept any responsibility or liability for any damage, injury, or death that may occur during a driving lesson. Such liability may rest with the instructor, the pupil, or other third parties.
As a learner driver, it is advisable to verify your driving instructor’s insurance and liability coverage prior to commencing driving lessons. This verification ensures that you are satisfied with the level of protection they have in place. It is important to acknowledge that the Calm Driving brand and its owners do not assume responsibility for this insurance, as they function solely as a booking service.
Additional Terms:
1. Use of Training Car – Pupils may use the instructor’s car for their driving test, subject to the instructor’s evaluation. Additional fees apply for the test.
2. Payment: Payments must be made within 48 hours of booking to avoid cancellation. All lessons must be prepaid.
3. Pupil Responsibilities: Pupils must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Lessons cancelled for this reason will require full payment.
4. Cancellation Policy: Two clear working days’ notice is required for cancellations or rescheduling. Late cancellations will incur a full charge.
5. Provisional License Requirement: Failure to disclose that you do not have a valid license and cancel within 48 hours will result in a full charge.
6. Failure to Attend: No-shows or failing to meet the instructor will result in full charges for the scheduled lesson.
7. Instructor Arrival: If the instructor is late due to circumstances beyond their control, the lesson will proceed as planned.
Calm Driving does not book practical driving tests for clients. While instructors may provide guidance, they are not responsible for the bookings.
Presenting a Pupil for a DVSA Driving Test
We cannot guarantee your attendance at a DVSA driving test unless you meet the required standard. We understand that passing your driving test is very important to you, and we are committed to coaching and training you to help you achieve this standard.
However, to ensure the safety of everyone involved, including you, the public, our instructors, and the DVSA examiner, if your instructor determines that you are not satisfactory, we cannot take you to a DVSA practical test. We recognise that this may be disappointing, but it is necessary to prioritise safety.
If you are concerned about your readiness for the test, you can request a mock test from your instructor, which will give you a good indication of your preparedness. If you feel the mock test result is inaccurate, you may request another mock test from our instructor trainer. Please note that this service may not always be available, and ultimately, your instructor’s decision regarding your presentation for the DVSA driving test is final. We will not tolerate any verbal or physical abuse or coercion of any kind. If our Calm Driving instructor trainer determines that you do not meet the required standard, we will not present you for a DVSA practical test.
I understand these terms and conditions and will abide by them while having driving lessons with my driving instructor under the Calm Driving brand.