Checkmate Driver Training Terms and Conditions


The following terms and conditions represent the basis upon which training is offered by Checkmate Driver Training. The provision of training is subject to acceptance of these terms and conditions.


Tuition

Tuition is only available to persons who meet the following criteria:

  • Aged 17 or over or aged 16 or over and in receipt of the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance (mobility component);

  • hold a valid UK provisional driving licence; and produce it on (or in advance of) your first training session.


Lessons

You and your instructor are responsible for agreeing the timing, location and duration of individual sessions. The minimum lesson period is one hour.

All sessions will start and finish at the same location unless alternative arrangements are made in advance with your instructor. The instructor will determine a location for practical lessons which ensures both the pupil’s and public safety – this means that the instructor may need to drive to and from the lesson location; this journey time forms part of the lesson as paid for.

You must notify your instructor of any matters which affect your ability or entitlement to have driving tuition, for example, but not limited to, any lack, or loss, of a valid UK provisional driving licence.

If for any reason your instructor is late for the lesson, they will inform you of the estimated time of arrival. If the delay is greater than 15 minutes the time will be added to the end of your lesson where possible, and if not, the time will be carried forward to the next suitable lesson. If you are late for a lesson, then the lesson will still run for the allocated lesson time. 

Training vehicles provided are taxed, insured for the purposes of driving tuition, fully roadworthy and fitted with dual controls. Pupils who require tuition in their own vehicle must supply evidence from their motor insurer that the car is covered for lessons when being supervised by a professional instructor in return for payment; the car must also be taxed and hold a current MOT certificate where appropriate. Discounted payment rates are not offered for the use of your own vehicle.

Cancellation of Lessons

If you or your instructor wish to cancel a lesson, a minimum of 48 hours prior notice should be given. If your instructor cancels a lesson without giving this minimum period of notice your instructor shall rearrange the lesson. Cancellations by you must be made directly to your instructor. 

If you do not provide at least 48 hours’ notice of cancellation you may be charged for the lesson(s) concerned. If your instructor arrives at your pick-up location and you are not there (no show), you will be charged for the full lesson that was booked.

Your instructor will do everything possible to ensure that your lessons go ahead as planned but reserves the right to amend lessons under certain circumstances (eg; weather conditions, vehicle issues or traffic delays). In the event of any amendment fees paid in advance will be carried forward.

The instructor reserves the right to cancel a lesson if they suspect that the pupil may be unfit to drive that would cause his/her driving to be dangerous or illegal. In such circumstances you will be charged for the full lesson that was booked.

Driving lesson payments

You and your instructor are responsible for agreeing the payment terms of lessons and payments are made to your instructor directly. Payments are offered on a lesson by lesson basis or prepaid block bookings.


Prepaid bookings of 10 hours or more must be paid for in advance in order to qualify for the discounted rates. Prepaid lessons are valid for the period that you are undergoing continuous tuition.

You are also responsible for the payment of any fees charged by the Driving Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for Theory and Practical Driving Test.

Refunds

You are entitled to cancel your prepaid tuition at any time 


You will be required to gain any refund from the driving instructor directly, as they would be in receipt your payment (as per Payments above)

At the time of cancellation, you will not be eligible for a refund on any lessons taken, and lessons taken will be charged at full price less any discounted rates.

Where it is possible to do so, your instructor will refund you using the same method you used to pay for your lessons. If for any reason they are unable to do this, they reserve the right to refund you by any other method deemed appropriate.

On completion of your driving test refunds of remaining prepaid hours will be made pro rata on any lessons not taken at the discounted rates.

If you have paid using a prepaid voucher, we will not be able to proceed to any refund after redemption of the voucher

Price changes

We reserve the right to change the price of all our lessons from time to time.

Transferability of lessons and training

You cannot sell or transfer lessons which have been purchased in your name to any other person.

Driving test 

You and your instructor are responsible for arranging the use of the training vehicle for test. The booking period will be booked into the instructor’s normal diary schedule and will require a minimum two-hour booking slot.

Your instructor cannot be held responsible for test appointments cancelled by the DVSA due to bad weather, sickness, staff shortages or other reasons. Such cancellations are beyond the control of your instructor and therefore the lesson fee and ‘use of car’ fee for the booked period will be charged. Your instructor will advise about claiming compensation from the DVSA. 

Your instructor reserves the right to refuse use of a driving school vehicle for test if they consider the provision of a vehicle could cause a risk to public safety.

Code of conduct

Your instructor agrees to abide by the conditions of the Professional code of Conduct (a copy of which will be provided on request). In the unlikely event of complaint or dispute the guidelines of the Code of Conduct will be adhered to.

Personal Property

Checkmate Driver Training and its Instructors accept no liability for personal property that is left in any training vehicle.


Your rights

These conditions do not affect any protection a student has under consumer legislation.

We reserve the right to change or alter any of the terms and conditions without notice but will endeavour to inform pupils of any changes as soon as possible.

Coronavirus

The following extra conditions must be adhered too during the Coronavirus pandemic period:

  • Any pupil displaying signs of illness, will not be allowed to enter our tuition vehicles.

  • Any pupils who have been contacted by the NHS Test & Trace service must notify their instructor as soon as possible and will not be allowed to enter our tuition vehicles.

  • Pupils will be subject to a thermal temperature check prior to commencement of lessons using a non-contact infrared body thermometer.

  • Pupils will be provided with hand sanitiser on commencement of their lesson.

  • Your instructor will ensure their vehicle controls have been sanitised prior to each pupil entering the vehicle.

  • The use of face masks will be optional during lessons but must be worn during driving tests as per DVSA guidelines

Postponement of lessons:

  • if the government changes the R rate scale of safety, we may have to change lesson dates accordingly.


We will not be held responsible or liable should anyone become infected following a driving lesson in one of our instructor tuition cars or premises.


Useful Links

https://www.gov.uk/book-a-driving-theory-test [1]

https://www.gov.uk/book-practical-driving-test [2]