1. Objectives, Eligibility & Safety

 

1.1 The instructor will endeavour to teach the pupil the correct driving skills according to the recommended syllabus issued by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) within the minimum number of hours required.

 

1.2 In addition to developing technical driving competence, the instructor will also encourage the pupil to show consideration for all other road users particularly pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders

 

1.3 To be eligible for lessons, pupils must show that a valid license is held to drive the tuition vehicle and periodically demonstrate adequate vision (ability to read a number plate at the statutory distance). Pupils must inform the instructor immediately if they receive any endorsements on their license during the period they are receiving tuition.

 

1.4 The instructor has the absolute right to refuse to take on a pupil if the instructor feels it would be unprofessional, unsafe or bad business practice to do so.

 

1.5 It is accepted that during all lessons, forward road activity will be recorded by a dashboard video camera. This is an insurance requirement and may also provide educational material.

 

1.6 The instructor is at liberty at his absolute discretion to refuse to proceed with a lesson if he has reason to believe that the pupil is in any way under the influence of drink or drugs at the time of the lesson.  If this happens the full lesson fee will be charged.

 

1.7 Under normal circumstances, no passengers will be in the car except for DVSA examiners in the course of their duties.  Any rare exceptions will require the agreement of both pupil and instructor.

 

1.8 During lessons, no food or drink will be consumed and mobile phones will not be used, by the pupil or the instructor, unless the vehicle is parked in a safe and legal place.

 

1.9 The interior of the Instructor’s vehicle will be kept clean and tidy to provide a safe and pleasant learning environment.  Pupils should respect this by not wearing or carrying anything likely to cause soiling by contact or leakage.

 

 

2. Payment Terms

 

 

2.1 The Pupil should be aware that all Bill Plant Instructors are franchisees of the company. Bill Plant Ltd takes no responsibility for any payment made by the pupil to the Instructor, as these monies are not paid to Bill Plant Ltd.

 

2.2 A lesson is of one-hour or two-hours duration. If for any reason outside the Instructors control it is not possible to give the full lesson time, then any lost time will be added to a later lesson.

 

2.3 Lessons are charged at £33 per hour or £300 for a block of 10 lessons if paid at once.  Lesson prices can be subject to change with 14 days prior notice.

 

2.4 Payment should be made a minimum of 48 hours before the lesson is due to begin.

A timely reminder text message/push notification will be sent by the Instructor/Total Drive app.

 

2.5 Payment can only be made via the Total Drive app or by bank transfer.

 

2.6 The Instructor’s hours of work are Monday to Friday 8am to 7pm, any lessons outside these hours may attract an overtime charge of £15 per hour on top of the instructors normal hourly rate.

 

2.7 In the event of the pupil prepaying for lessons, these will be paid off at the full rate, with the last lesson receiving the discount.

 

2.8 If a refund from prepaid lessons is required, an administration fee of £10 will be deducted from the balance.

 

2.9 All prepaid lessons must be taken within six months of payment otherwise they will be lost, unless with the written authorization of an extension from the Instructor.

 

2.10 The pupil will be liable for a cleaning charge of £70 should they soil the vehicle due to contaminating materials introduced or due to careless or unreasonable behaviour.

 

 

 

3. Late Payment, Cancellation, Rescheduling & Waiting

 

 

3.1 If payment has not been received 48 hours before the lesson starts, the Instructor has the right to cancel the lesson and offer the slot to another pupil.  The instructor will promptly notify the pupil that re-booking is required if such action has become necessary due to late payment. If the lesson was either not cancelled nor paid 48 hours prior to the start, the pupil may be liable to pay for the lesson in full.

 

3.2 A late charge collection fee of £10 may be applied on all payments that are late.

 

3.3 In the event of breakdown or other difficulty outside the control of the Instructor, the Instructor reserves the right to rearrange lessons at short notice.

 

3.4 Driving Tests are always a priority so in the event of a Driving Test may collide with a pre-arranged driving lesson, Instructor reserves the right to rearrange the lesson at short notice.

 

3.5 To cancel a lesson, the pupil must give the instructor a minimum of 48 hours written notice

(text message or email).  Should the pupil fail to give such notice, the pupil may be liable to pay a late cancellation fee as follows :

 

Cancellation Notice Given    Cancellation Fee

48 hours or more notice    No charge

Less than 48 hours notice    Full lesson charge

 

3.5 Instructor will do everything in order to show up on time at the previously agreed address. The Instructor will NOT notify the pupil of their arrival (unless agreed otherwise) and will wait a maximum of 10 minutes. At the 5 minute mark Instructor will notify the pupil of their presence via text message and ask whether the pupil is coming.  If the pupil won’t show after 10 minutes or there is no response Instructor will notify the pupil (via text message) that the lesson was cancelled and the pupil is liable to pay for the lesson in full.

 

3.6 In the event of late lesson start due to Instructor being late, Instructor will promptly notify the pupil (via text message) about the expected time of delay and will offer the pupil the opportunity to make up the lost time at the end of the lesson.

 

 

4. Driving Test

 

 

4.1 Driving tests may only be arranged with the prior agreement of both the instructor and the pupil, who must have previously obtained a pass certificate for the Driving Theory Test.

 

4.2 The total cost of taking a driving test comprises the DVSA test fee plus the instructor’s fee for car usage time (typically 2½  hours). Both fees must be paid in advance.  Standard lesson rates apply for the purpose of the test and for any prior instruction.  The 2½  hour time estimate assumes that one of the four nearest test centres listed below is used.  Other centres would require more time. (Cheetham Hill M8 0AL;   Bolton BL3 2AW;    Atherton M46 0SU;   Sale M33 7ER)

 

4.3 If a pupil uses a third-party service to book a driving test, the instructor cannot be liable if their car is not available for that time.  It will be the pupils responsibility to source another vehicle. The instructor cannot also be liable for any costs the pupil might incur in the use of the third party.

 

4.4 The Instructor reserves the right to refuse the use of their vehicle for a driving test. This in no way stops the pupil from taking the test in any non-Bill Plant car.

 

 

5. Legal Liability

 

 

5.1 The pupil should be aware that the Instructor’s primary objective is to promote road safety and in doing so may have to take control of the vehicle. The instructor will make every effort to instruct the pupil to the highest standard but can in no way be held liable for any errors that the pupil may make whilst driving and not accompanied by the instructor either before or after a test pass.

 

5.2 While the Instructor will give their best endeavours to ensure it doesn’t happen, should the pupil damage the wheels or tyres through ‘kerbing’, they will be held financially responsible for any damage caused.

 

 

6. Complaints

 

 

6.1 The instructor will deal promptly and fairly with any complaints received and aim for speedy and mutually satisfactory resolution of any grievances.

 

6.2 Any unresolved complaints are to be dealt with in accordance to the Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) code of practice available on the UK government website below.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/driving-instructor-code-of-practice

 

 

 

7. Additional terms and conditions due to Covid-19

 

 

7.1 These are in addition to the standard company terms and supersede them where required.

 

7.2 Acceptance of these terms and conditions shows understanding, agreement, and mitigates the instructor and company of any additional responsibility caused by COVID-19 as long as best practice was followed.  This does not affect your statutory rights.

 

7.3 The fundamental aim of all interactions between the pupil and Instructor is to ensure safety of both individuals and to make the risks involved as low as reasonably possible. It remains the sole responsibility of the pupil to raise any concerns, in advance of a lesson or booking.

 

7.4 Due to the risks associated with COVID-19 and the requirements of the Driver Training environment, the instructor and driving school cannot be held responsible for the health of the pupil as long as reasonable measures are taken.  To do this, the instructor will conform to the following UK government ‘best practice’ guides :-

   a)   https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19

   b)  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/vehicles

 

7.5 Because of the existing risk-focused environment, much of the safety assessments are already in place and as the COVID-19 situation develops we will be operating a rolling risk assessment. The pupil will be informed of any major changes in advance of their booked lesson.

 

7.6 Due to the increased use of chemicals to ensure a clean working environment, please consider any additional health risks. If you need an inhaler, EpiPen or similar please inform your instructor and ensure you have it in an accessible place.

 

7.7 When advised for general or personal reasons, suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be worn by your instructor (face mask / visor / gloves).  Pupils may also  be required to use  PPE (face mask)  and take suitable steps to ensure their own safety.  These steps include washing/sanitizing hands before entering the vehicle and providing advance warning of any symptoms.  If you have any concerns, please raise them with the instructor directly – we are all trying to keep each other safe.

 

7.8 Please discuss any religious, cultural or other concerns with your instructor in advance of the lesson. This may include, but is not limited to, sanitizer or cleaning products containing alcohol.

 

7.9 You agree that you will certify you are in good health before each lesson begins and if currently recommended, will have your temperature checked by laser thermometer before entering the car.

 

7.10 If COVID-19 symptoms occur (as outlined on the NHS website) you must contact your instructor immediately. In the case of COVID-19 there will be no cancellation charge and a 14-day isolation period, starting from that date, during which lessons will not be taken.  If you are contacted by ‘Track and Trace’, you must notify your instructor immediately.

 

 

 

8. Declaration

 

 

I agree to be bound by the terms and conditions as set out in the above 40 items

(1.1 to 1.9,   2.1 to 2.10,   3.1 to 3.6,   4.1 to 4.4,   5.1,   6.1 to 6.2   and   7.1 to 7.10)