1. Driving Lessons and Eligibility Requirements
To begin your driving lessons with Stu’s Driving School, you must meet the following legal requirements:
Licence: You must hold a valid UK or Northern Ireland provisional Category B driving licence. If you hold a photo card licence, please produce it at your first lesson. If you hold an older paper licence, valid passport identification is required.
Specialised Training: For Motorway lessons, Pass Plus, or Refresher driving lessons, you must produce a full, valid driving licence and appropriate identification.
Eyesight: You must meet the DVSA eyesight requirement: reading a standard UK number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres (67 feet). If you require glasses or contact lenses to achieve this, you must wear them at all times while driving.
2. Changes to Driving Eligibility
You must notify your Stu’s Driving School instructor immediately of any changes affecting your ability to drive. This includes, but is not limited to, the revocation of your provisional licence or new medical conditions (e.g., epilepsy).
3. Cancellations and Rescheduling
If you need to cancel a driving lesson, please provide at least 48 hours' notice.
Late Cancellations: Failure to provide 48 hours' notice will result in the lesson fee being charged in full.
Communication: Cancellations may be made via phone or text message, but they must be formally acknowledged by your instructor to be valid.
4. Missed Lessons and Late Arrivals
If your instructor arrives on time at the agreed-upon pick-up point and you are not present, your instructor will wait for 10 minutes. If no contact is made, the lesson will be cancelled, and you will be charged for the session.
5. Lesson Delays or Cancellations by Instructor
While your instructor endeavours to be punctual, unforeseen circumstances (breakdowns, traffic, illness) may occur. If your instructor cancels a lesson due to these reasons, you will not be charged.
6. Payments, Refunds, and Intensive Courses
Lessons must be paid for 48 hours in advance via bank transfer or credit/debit card; otherwise, the lesson will not proceed.
Refund Policy: Refunds for pre-paid lessons are processed within 28 working days of the termination request. A £10 administration fee applies. Please note: No refunds are issued if there has been a 6-week lapse in training without communication from the pupil.
Mini Intensive Courses: Bookings for intensive driving courses require a commitment. If less than 2 weeks' notice is given for cancellation, no refund will be provided.
7. Fitness to Drive and Safety
Safety is our priority at Stu’s Driving School. You must not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol during training.
Termination: If we suspect you are under the influence, the lesson will be terminated immediately, and the full lesson fee will be charged.
Medication: Please declare any prescribed medication that may affect your driving to your instructor and the DVLA medical board.
8. Driving Test Booking and Safety
Your instructor adheres to DVSA standards. If you fail to reach a safe, satisfactory standard of driving, or are deemed unfit due to substance/alcohol use, your instructor reserves the right to withhold the use of the tuition vehicle for the practical driving test. This is a precautionary measure for the safety of the pupil, the examiner, and other road users.
9. DVSA Test Cancellations
Stu’s Driving School cannot accept responsibility for driving tests cancelled by the DVSA. While lessons booked for that time will still be charged, you may be eligible to claim these costs back from the DVSA directly. We are not responsible for test failures resulting from failing the mandatory eyesight test.