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Drive Auto 1st Terms and Conditions

1. About these terms

These terms apply to every lesson, course and test booking with Drive Auto 1st. By booking a lesson or paying a deposit, you agree to them.

“We”, “us”, “the instructor” means Drive Auto 1st, run by Chris Taylor.

“You”, “the pupil” means the person taking lessons. If someone else pays for your lessons (for example a parent), these terms apply to them too.

“Lesson” means a booked driving lesson of any length. Our standard lesson is 2 hours.

“Working day” means Monday to Friday, excluding UK bank holidays.

Contact: phone 07726 772774 | email book@driveauto1st.co.uk | web driveauto1st.co.uk

2. Bookings and eligibility

A lesson is confirmed once we have agreed a date and time with you and any deposit or payment due has been received.

1. Licence. Before your first lesson you must show your valid UK provisional (or full) driving licence. We may also check your entitlement online using a DVLA check code. We cannot give a lesson without a valid licence.
2. Eyesight. You must be able to read a car number plate from 20 metres, with glasses or contact lenses if you need them. If you cannot, the lesson will not go ahead and the full fee is payable.
3. Medical conditions. You must tell DVLA, and us, about any medical condition or medication that may affect your driving.
4. Age. You must be at least 17 years old (or 16 if you receive the higher or enhanced rate mobility component of PIP).
5. Pick-up and drop-off. Lessons start and end at an agreed address within our area (Harrogate, Knaresborough and York). Locations outside this area may carry a small travel charge, agreed in advance.
6. Vehicle. Lessons are normally given in our dual-controlled automatic car. Lessons in your own car are by prior agreement only, and the car must be roadworthy, taxed, MOT’d and insured for you and for the instructor to supervise.
7. Your information. We keep your details only to run your lessons and contact you. See our privacy notice for how we use and protect them.

3. Fees and payment

Lessons must be paid for in full at least 72 hours before the lesson start time, unless you have already paid for a block booking or intensive course.

1. Prices. Current prices are shown on our website or given on request. We may change prices with at least 7 days’ notice; lessons already paid for keep the price you paid.
2. How to pay. Bank transfer or cash. Payment must reach us at least 72 hours before your lesson.
3. Block bookings and intensive courses. These are paid in advance and must be used within six months of purchase. Lessons not used within six months are forfeited. Cancelling a block booking or intensive course is covered in section 4.
4. Unpaid lessons. If payment has not reached us 72 hours before a lesson, we may cancel that lesson and any future bookings until the balance is cleared.
5. Your right to cancel a purchase. If you book or buy lessons at a distance (online, by phone or by message), you have 14 days to cancel under the Consumer Contracts Regulations. If you ask for lessons to start within those 14 days, you will pay for any lessons already taken.

4. Cancellations and changes

You must give at least 48 hours’ notice, or two working days’ notice (whichever is longer), to cancel or move a lesson. Late cancellations are charged in full.

1. How to cancel. Call or text 07726 772774. Notice counts from when we receive your message.
2. Working days. Because weekends and bank holidays are not working days, lessons early in the week need earlier notice. For example: a Monday 10am lesson must be cancelled by 10am the previous Thursday; a Wednesday 10am lesson must be cancelled by 10am the previous Monday.
3. Late cancellation or no-show. If you cancel with less notice, or do not turn up, the full lesson fee is payable and will be taken from any block or deposit. If we can fill the slot with another pupil, we may waive the charge.
4. Not fit to drive. If you arrive unfit to drive (for example under the influence of alcohol or drugs, without your licence or glasses, or unwell), the lesson will be cancelled and the full fee is payable.
5. Late arrival. If you are late, the lesson still ends at the booked time and the full fee is payable. If you are more than 15 minutes late, we will treat it as a no-show.
6. Exceptional circumstances. We will consider waiving a charge in exceptional circumstances, such as a bereavement. This is at our discretion.
7. Cancelling a block booking or intensive course. To cancel a block booking or intensive driving course, you must give at least 10 working days’ notice. With 10 or more working days’ notice, you will receive a full refund for lessons not yet taken. With less than 10 working days’ notice, you will be entitled to a refund of 50% of the amount paid for lessons not yet taken.
8. Cancellation by us. We will give you as much notice as possible if we need to cancel, ideally 48 hours. If we cancel for any reason, including bad weather, vehicle breakdown or illness, you can choose either to rebook at no cost or to receive a refund. If the lesson was paid for on its own, the refund is the full amount paid for that lesson. If the lesson was part of a block booking or intensive course, it will be credited back to your block, or refunded at the block rate if you prefer. We are not liable for any other costs.

5. Conduct and safety

The instructor is responsible for safety during every lesson and has the final say.

1. You must not drive under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any medication that may affect your driving.
2. Mobile phones must be switched off or on silent during lessons.
3. Smoking and vaping are not allowed in the car.
4. We may end a lesson early, with the full fee payable, if your behaviour is abusive or puts anyone at risk.

6. Driving tests

1. You are responsible for booking your theory and practical tests and paying the DVSA test fees, unless we agree otherwise in writing.
2. Use of our car for a practical test is only available if the instructor believes you are ready. If we advise that you are not ready, we may decline to provide the car.
3. A test appointment (car hire plus a pre-test lesson) is charged at the agreed rate. Cancellation of a test booking with us follows the same notice period as lessons.
4. If you cancel or move a test with DVSA, you must give DVSA at least 10 working days’ notice, or you may lose your test fee. This is separate from our notice period.
5. We cannot guarantee a pass. Results depend on your ability and on the examiner on the day.
6. If a test is cancelled by DVSA, any refund or compensation is a matter between you and DVSA.

7. Liability and insurance

1. Our car is fully insured for tuition. You will not be charged for damage caused while under our supervision, unless it results from a deliberate act or from you not following the instructor’s directions.
2. Any fixed penalty, fine or penalty points you receive while driving during a lesson are your responsibility.
3. If a lesson is in your own car, you are responsible for its insurance, roadworthiness and any damage.
4. Nothing in these terms limits liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or any other liability that cannot be excluded by law.

8. General

1. We may update these terms from time to time. The version in force when you book applies to that booking.
2. These terms are governed by the law of England and Wales.
3. If any part of these terms is found to be unenforceable, the rest still applies.