- Drive Automatic – Terms and Conditions
These Terms and Conditions apply to all driving lessons and services provided by Drive Automatic. By booking lessons with Drive Automatic you agree to the following terms.
1. Interpretation
In these conditions (“Terms”):
“We”, “Us”, “Our” refers to Drive Automatic.
“You” or “Your” refers to the pupil or customer receiving driving tuition.
These Terms form the agreement under which Drive Automatic agrees to provide driving tuition and related services.
Drive Automatic and your instructor reserve the right to charge for any lessons affected by failure to comply with these Terms.
2. Lesson Payments
To secure a lesson booking, full payment is required in advance.
Lessons may be booked:
Through the Total Drive app
Directly with your instructor
Cash payments may be accepted in vehicle for future lessons, subject to agreement with your instructor.
3. Cancellation Policy
A 48-hour cancellation policy applies.
If less than 48 hours notice is given to cancel or rearrange a lesson, the full lesson fee will be charged.
Failure to attend a booked lesson will also result in the full lesson fee being charged.
4. Block Bookings
Block bookings are non-refundable.
Block booked lessons must be used within three months of purchase unless otherwise agreed.
Unused lessons after this period may be forfeited.
5. Deposits and Prepaid Courses
Deposits and prepaid course payments are non-refundable.
If a student cancels a course after a deposit or payment has been made, the deposit/payment will be retained by Drive Automatic.
6. Instructor Availability
Drive Automatic reserves the right to cancel or rearrange lessons where necessary.
Where possible, appropriate notice will be given.
If a lesson is cancelled by Drive Automatic:
The lesson fee will be carried forward to a future lesson
Refunds will not normally be issued
7. About Your Instructor
Your instructor will be licensed and authorised by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and will display their licence badge in the windscreen of the vehicle during lessons.
8. Driving Tuition Requirements
Driving tuition is only available to persons who:
Are 17 years or older (16 if receiving the higher rate mobility component of disability allowance)
Hold a valid UK provisional driving licence
Are legally entitled to drive in the United Kingdom
Your licence must be presented to your instructor before your first lesson.
Your instructor reserves the right to refuse tuition if a valid licence cannot be produced.
9. Lesson Arrangements
Lesson date, time, pickup location and duration are arranged between you and your instructor.
Students must provide their full pickup address at least 48 hours prior to their first lesson.
10. Your Instructor Will
Your instructor will:
Provide driving tuition at the agreed hourly rate
Recommend suitable theory learning resources
Design a course of lessons based on your learning needs
Provide lessons typically lasting two hours, unless otherwise agreed
Provide a modern, properly maintained, dual-controlled vehicle
Recommend further training where appropriate (e.g. Pass Plus or motorway driving)
Provide feedback and maintain your pupil progress record
Monitor your progress and advise when you may be ready to book a driving test
Provide lessons on a one-to-one basis unless otherwise agreed
Honour the booked lesson duration including briefing and debrief
Conduct themselves professionally at all times10a. Lesson Availability and Ongoing Bookings
Lesson availability is managed through confirmed bookings. Drive Automatic does not guarantee the availability of ongoing or regular lesson slots without future bookings in place.
To maintain an active place on an instructor’s diary, pupils are expected to have a lesson booked within a 14-day period. Where no lessons are booked within this timeframe, Drive Automatic reserves the right to offer that space to other learners.
If a pupil is unable to attend lessons for a period of time (for example due to holidays, work commitments or other circumstances), it is recommended that lessons are booked in advance to retain continuity. Where no bookings are in place, lesson slots may not be held.
11. In-Car Cameras, Dash Cameras and Audio Recording
Some Drive Automatic vehicles may be equipped with:
Forward-facing dash cameras
Interior-facing cameras
Audio recording systems
These systems may record video and audio during driving lessons.
Recording may include:
Footage inside and outside the vehicle
Conversations during lessons
Road conditions and surrounding traffic
Driver behaviour for training purposes
Recordings may be used for:
Safety and security
Instructor training and lesson review
Investigating complaints or incidents
Insurance and legal purposes
In some cases, footage may be used for educational or promotional content including social media.
Where a pupil is clearly identifiable, additional consent will normally be requested before publishing footage.
Further details are available in our Privacy Policy on our website.
12. Data Protection
Drive Automatic processes personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and guidance from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).
Information collected may include:
Contact details
Lesson records
Progress notes
In-car camera recordings
This information is used for the purposes of providing driving tuition and operating the driving school.
13. Pupil Conduct
Your instructor reserves the right to terminate a lesson if:
You behave in a threatening, abusive or unsafe manner
You appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Your behaviour makes the lesson unsafe
In these circumstances the lesson fee will not be refunded.
14. Driving Tests
Your instructor may recommend when they believe you are ready to take your practical driving test.
However, the decision to book a test ultimately rests with the pupil.
Use of the instructor’s vehicle for a driving test may require an additional fee.
15. Changes to Terms
Drive Automatic reserves the right to update these Terms and Conditions at any time.
The latest version will always be available through our booking system or website.
16. Use of Mobile Phones
Students must not use mobile phones during driving lessons unless instructed to do so by the instructor for learning purposes.
Phones should be set to silent or do not disturb during lessons to avoid distraction.
The instructor reserves the right to end a lesson if mobile phone use creates a safety risk.
17. Passengers in the Vehicle
Driving lessons are normally conducted on a one-to-one basis.
Passengers (including parents, friends or family members) may only be present in the vehicle with the instructor’s prior agreement.
Passengers must not interfere with the lesson or distract the driver.
Drive Automatic reserves the right to refuse passengers if it may affect safety or learning.
18. Driving Test Use of Instructor Vehicle
Use of the instructor’s vehicle for a practical driving test is subject to:
Instructor availability
The instructor believing the pupil is test ready
The instructor reserves the right to withdraw the use of the vehicle for the test if they believe the pupil is not ready or if safety concerns arise.
Driving test bookings are the responsibility of the pupil unless otherwise agreed.
Drive Automatic is not responsible for test cancellations made by the DVSA.
19. Instructor Safety and Termination of Lessons
Instructors have the right to terminate a lesson immediately if they believe:
The pupil is behaving in an unsafe manner
The pupil is under the influence of alcohol or drugs
The pupil is verbally or physically abusive
The pupil refuses to follow safety instructions
In these circumstances the lesson fee will not be refunded.
20. Vehicle Care and Damage
Students are expected to treat the instructor’s vehicle with reasonable care.
Where damage is caused due to deliberate misuse, negligence or reckless behaviour, Drive Automatic reserves the right to seek recovery of repair costs through insurance or legal means.
Normal learner mistakes covered by instructor intervention will not normally result in charges.
21. Lesson Start Time
Lessons start at the agreed scheduled time.
If a student is late:
The lesson will still end at the scheduled time
The full lesson fee remains payable
If the instructor is late, the lost time will be added to the lesson where possible or rearranged.
22. Hygiene and Cleanliness
Students should attend lessons in a clean and suitable condition for driving.
Lessons may be refused if a pupil attends in a condition that makes the vehicle unsafe or unsuitable for use (for example illness, excessive dirt, or strong odours that affect safety).
23. Social Media and Online Conduct
Drive Automatic encourages positive engagement online. However:
Students must not post false, misleading or defamatory statements about instructors or the business.
If a concern arises, students should contact Drive Automatic directly so the matter can be addressed.
24. Recording by Students
Students must not record video or audio during lessons without the instructor’s permission.
Unauthorised recordings may breach privacy and data protection regulations.
25. Agreement to Terms
By booking or attending lessons with Drive Automatic you confirm that:
You have read and understood these Terms and Conditions
You agree to comply with them
You acknowledge the use of in-car cameras and audio recording systems
- Drive Automatic – Terms and Conditions
0330 094 6898
