1. Parties & Definitions
This Agreement is between Team Driving Academy (“TDA”, “the Academy”, “we”, “us”), a professional driving tuition provider operating in Liverpool and the wider Merseyside area, and the Client (“you”, “the Pupil”), the individual enrolling for driving tuition services. By submitting an enrollment application and/or making payment, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms & Conditions in their entirety.
- “Block Booking” means a pre-paid package of driving tuition hours (e.g. Zero to Hero 30hrs, The Refiner 15hrs).
- “Standard Lesson” means an individually booked hourly or double-hour session.
- “DVSA” means the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
- “ADI” means DVSA Approved Driving Instructor.
2. Scope of Services
TDA provides private driving tuition delivered by a DVSA-registered ADI using a dual-controlled, fully insured, and roadworthy Academy vehicle. Services include structured lesson delivery on designated Liverpool routes, progress monitoring, and assistance in locating DVSA practical test appointments. TDA does not guarantee the availability of test dates, nor does TDA guarantee that the Client will pass the practical driving test. All claims of “fast-track” or “accelerated” pathways refer solely to the intensity and structure of lesson scheduling, not to any guaranteed outcome.
3. Eligibility & Client Obligations
By enrolling, you warrant and confirm that:
- You hold a valid UK provisional driving licence (or valid equivalent) and will present it to your instructor before or at the commencement of your first lesson. Tuition cannot proceed without valid documentation.
- You are at least 17 years of age (or 16 if in receipt of the enhanced rate of the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment).
- You are medically fit to drive and have declared to the DVLA any notifiable medical conditions as required by law.
- You will attend every lesson free from the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or any substance (including prescription medication) that may impair your ability to drive safely.
- You will inform TDA immediately of any change to your licence status, health, or legal entitlement to drive.
- You accept sole responsibility for any traffic penalties, fines, or Fixed Penalty Notices incurred during tuition as a result of your driving, except where the instructor has taken physical control of the vehicle.
4. Cancellation & Refund Policy
Cooling-Off Period: You have a statutory right to cancel within 14 days of the date of deposit payment for a full refund, provided that (a) no lessons have been delivered, (b) no start date has been confirmed, AND (c) the 21-day confirmation window has not expired.
21-Day Confirmation Window: You must confirm a mutually agreeable start date within 21 days of deposit payment. After 21 days, the deposit becomes non-refundable regardless of whether a start date has been confirmed. TDA will make reasonable efforts to contact you during this period; failure to respond or confirm a date does not extend the window.
Individual Lesson Cancellations: A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule any individual lesson. Cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice will be charged at the full lesson rate.
Block Booking Cancellations (After Start Date Confirmed or 21-Day Window Expired):
- The £300 deposit is non-refundable once a start date has been confirmed OR once 21 days have elapsed since deposit payment, whichever occurs first.
- If you wish to cancel after lessons have commenced, hours already delivered will be charged at the standard hourly rate (£42/hr) and deducted from any refund of the remaining balance.
- An administrative fee of £50 applies to all block cancellation requests.
- No refund will be issued for any “no-show” lessons or lessons cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice.
5. Payment Terms & Deposit System
Deposit: All block bookings require a £300 deposit to secure your place on our training schedule. This deposit is payable at the time of enrollment.
21-Day Confirmation Window: Upon receipt of your deposit, TDA will contact you to agree a mutually suitable start date. You must confirm a start date within 21 days of deposit payment. The deposit becomes non-refundable upon date confirmation, or after 21 days from payment — whichever is sooner. If no start date is confirmed within 21 days due to Client non-response or unavailability, TDA reserves the right to retain the deposit and release any provisionally held schedule slots.
Balance Payment: The remaining balance is due 14 days before your confirmed start date. An invoice will be issued via email at least 21 days before the start date to allow adequate payment time.
- Zero to Hero Academy Block: £300 deposit + £1,365 balance = £1,665 total
- The Refiner Training Block: £300 deposit + £650 balance = £950 total
Failure to Pay Balance: If the balance is not received by the due date (14 days before start), TDA reserves the right to cancel your booking and release your scheduled slot to another client. In such cases, the deposit will be forfeit and no refund will be issued.
Add-Ons: Any optional add-ons selected during enrollment will be invoiced with the balance payment.
6. Booking & Scheduling
Upon receipt of payment, TDA will contact you to arrange your lesson schedule. Block bookings are typically scheduled as consecutive or near-consecutive days. TDA will make reasonable efforts to accommodate your preferred times but cannot guarantee specific slots. Lessons will generally be scheduled during daylight hours; night driving may be arranged by mutual agreement if required for test preparation.
7. Lesson Duration & Punctuality
All lesson times stated are total durations including any briefing, in-car tuition, and debrief. Lessons begin at the agreed pick-up time. If the Client is not ready within 5 minutes of the scheduled start time, the lesson time will be reduced accordingly with no adjustment to the fee. The instructor reserves the right to cancel the lesson entirely if the Client is more than 15 minutes late.
8. Pick-Up & Drop-Off Locations
Lessons will begin and end at a mutually agreed location within the Liverpool/Merseyside operating area. If the Client requests a pick-up or drop-off outside the standard operating area, additional travel time may reduce the available tuition time or incur a surcharge at TDA’s discretion.
9. Instructor’s Right to Terminate a Lesson
The instructor reserves the right to terminate any lesson immediately, without refund, if the Client:
- Appears to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any impairing substance.
- Behaves in an aggressive, abusive, or threatening manner.
- Refuses to follow reasonable safety instructions.
- Presents a forged, expired, or invalid driving licence.
10. Vehicle & Insurance
All tuition is provided in a TDA-supplied, dual-controlled, fully insured vehicle. The Client is covered under TDA’s motor insurance policy whilst under instruction. Any deliberate damage caused to the vehicle by the Client will be the Client’s financial responsibility.
11. Test Bookings & DVSA Fees
TDA offers assistance in locating and securing DVSA practical test appointments. However:
- DVSA test fees are not included in any TDA package and must be paid directly to DVSA by the Client.
- TDA does not guarantee the availability of test dates, nor is TDA responsible for any DVSA cancellations, rescheduling, or policy changes.
- If the Client fails their test, additional lessons or packages may be purchased separately; there is no automatic entitlement to further tuition.
12. Use of Vehicle on Test Day
TDA will provide the Academy vehicle for use on the Client’s practical driving test, provided:
- The Client has completed sufficient training with TDA to be deemed test-ready by the instructor.
- A minimum of one warm-up lesson is booked immediately prior to the test.
TDA reserves the right to refuse use of the vehicle on test day if the instructor believes the Client is not safe to drive unaccompanied by dual controls.
13. Progress & Test Readiness
Progression through the syllabus is at the sole discretion of the instructor based on demonstrated competence. TDA does not guarantee that any Client will reach test standard within a specific number of hours. The intensive nature of block bookings is designed to accelerate learning, but individual outcomes vary.
14. Complaints Procedure
If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of TDA’s service, please raise your concern in writing within 7 days of the incident. TDA will acknowledge your complaint within 48 hours and aim to resolve it within 14 days. If unresolved, you may escalate to the relevant ADI standards body.
15. Data Protection & Privacy
TDA collects and processes personal data in accordance with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Your data will be used solely for the purposes of delivering tuition services, managing bookings, and communicating relevant information. TDA will not share your data with third parties except where required by law or for the performance of the contract (e.g., sharing your name with DVSA if booking a test on your behalf with your consent).
16. Limitation of Liability
TDA’s liability to the Client is limited to the value of the services purchased. TDA shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential loss arising from the provision or non-provision of services, including but not limited to loss of earnings, employment opportunities, or costs arising from a failed driving test.
17. Force Majeure
TDA shall not be liable for any delay or failure to perform its obligations due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, pandemic, civil unrest, or DVSA operational changes. In such events, TDA will reschedule affected lessons at the earliest opportunity.
18. Amendments to Terms
TDA reserves the right to amend these Terms & Conditions at any time. Any changes will be communicated to existing Clients via email and will apply to bookings made after the date of amendment. Continued use of TDA’s services constitutes acceptance of the amended terms.
19. Severability
If any provision of these Terms & Conditions is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.
20. Governing Law & Jurisdiction
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
