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The following terms and conditions represent the basis upon which training is offered by Sabeena Akhtar (ADI) of Sabeena's Driving School. The provision of training is subject to the acceptance of these terms and conditions.

1. Driving licenses and fitness to drive:
You must hold a current, valid UK provisional or full driving licence, and produce it on (or in advance of) your first training session. You must be fit to drive with regard to legal and medical requirements.

2. Payments and Cancellation:
Tuition fees are normally payable in advance. Payment can be made by cash or cheque. Any cheques offered for payment that are subsequently refused by the bank will be subject to an administration charge of £10.00. If you or sabeena need to cancel or re-arrange a lesson at least 48 hours notice will be required for single lessons of up to two hours duration. Failure to do so will result in the lesson being chargable. Sabeena will do everything possible to ensure that your lessons start and finish on time, but reserves the right to cancel, postpone or change lesson lengths and start/finish times under certain circumstances (e.g., dangerous weather conditions). In the event of postponement fees paid in advance will be carried forward. Sabeena reserves the right to cancel a lesson at short notice if it is suspected that the pupil may be unfit due to the effects of alcohol, drugs (prescribed or otherwise) or any other condition that would cause his/her driving to be dangerous or illegal. In such circumstances the lesson fee will be payable.

3. Bookings and Lesson duration
Sabeena will endeavor to maintain regular lesson slots at the same time each week to ensure continuity of learning, however, this cannot be guaranteed. The minimum lesson period is one hour. If, for any reason, if Sabeena is late for the lesson she will make a concerted effort to inform the pupil of the estimated time of arrival. If the delay is greater than 15 minutes this time will be credited to the pupil and when possible the lesson will be extended by the time due – if this is not possible the extra time will be carried forward to the next suitable lesson.

4. Training Location:
All sessions will start and finish at the same location unless alternative arrangements are made in advance. 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 the pupil to and from the lesson location; this journey time forms part of the lesson as paid for.

5. Training vehicle:
Training vehicles provided by the school 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.

6. Driving tests and bookings:
Sabeena reserves the right to refuse use of the driving school vehicle for test if she considers that provision of a vehicle could cause a risk to public safety. Where a school car is used for test, the booking period will based upon Sabeena's normal diary schedule. Depending on the time of the test this will require a minimum two hour booking and possibly longer. While Sabeena will make every effort to ensure that the vehicle supplied for test will be fully road worthy and comply with all legal requirements at the start of the test, she cannot be held responsible for vehicle failure that occurs during the test and is not liable for consequential loss. Sabeena cannot be held responsible for test appointments cancelled by the DSA due to bad weather, sickness, staff shortages or other reasons. Such cancellations are beyond the control of Sabeena and therefore the lesson fee and 'use of car' fee for the booked period will be charged. Sabeena will advise about claiming compensation from the DSA.

7. Code of conduct:
Sabeena 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.

8. Your rights:
These conditions do not affect any protection a student has under consumer legislation. Sabeena reserves 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.

Introduction

A driving instructor who gives lessons in a motor car in return for payment must be on the 'Register of Approved Driving Instructors' (ADIs). To gain entry to the register prospective instructors need to pass a series of examinations administered by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA). People training to qualify as Approved Driving Instructors who have part completed the examinations can obtain from the Agency a licence to acquire practical experience which is strictly limited to six months. Once fully qualified and on the register, ADIs are regularly tested by DSA to check their continued ability to give instruction to an acceptable standard.

DSA and the driving instruction industry place great emphasis on professional standards and business ethics. The code of practice set out here has been agreed between DSA and the main bodies representing Approved Driving Instructors; it is a framework within which all instructors should operate.

Personal Conduct

• The instructor will at all times behave in a professional manner towards clients.
• Clients will be treated with respect and consideration.
• The Approved Driving Instructor will try to avoid physical contact with a client except in an emergency or in the normal course of greeting.
• Whilst reserving the right to decide against giving tuition, the Approved Driving Instructor will not act in any way which contravenes legislation on discrimination.

Business Dealing

• The Approved Driving Instructor will safeguard and account for any moneys paid in advance by the client in respect of driving lessons, driving test fees or for any other purposes and will make the details available to the client on request.
• The Approved Driving Instructor on or before the first lesson should provide clients with a written copy of his/her terms of business to include
• • Legal identity of the driving school/Approved Driving Instructor with full address and telephone number at which the Approved Driving Instructor or his/her representative can be contacted.
  • The price and duration of the driving lessons.
  • The price and conditions for use of a driving school car for the practical driving test.
  • The terms under which cancellation by either party may take place.
  • Procedure for complaints.
  • The Approved Driving Instructor should check a client’s entitlement to drive the vehicle and his/her ability to read a number plate at the statutory distance on the first lesson. When presenting a client for the practical driving test the Approved Driving Instructor should ensure that the client has all the necessary documentation to enable the client to take the driving test and that the vehicle is roadworthy.
  • Approved Driving Instructors will advise clients when to apply for their theory and practical driving tests, taking account of local waiting times and forecast of clients' potential for achieving the driving test pass standard. The Approved Driving Instructor will not cancel or re-arrange a driving test without the client's agreement. In the event of the Approved Driving Instructor's decision to withhold the use of the driving school car for the driving test, sufficient notice should be given to the client to avoid loss of the DSA driving test fee.
  • The Approved Driving Instructor should at all times, to the best of his/her ability, endeavour to teach the client correct driving skills according to DSA's recommended syllabus.

Advertising

The advertising of driving tuition shall be honest; claims made shall be capable of verification and comply with codes of practice set down by the Advertising Standards Authority. Advertising that refers to clients' pass rates should not be open to misinterpretation and the basis on which the calculation is made should be made clear.

Conciliation

• Complaints by clients should be made in the first instance to the driving instructor/driving school/contractor following the complaints procedure issued.
• Failing agreement or settlement of a dispute, reference may be made to DSA's Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors who will consider the matter and advise accordingly.
• Should the Registrar not be able to settle the dispute he/she may set up a panel, with representatives from the ADI industry, to consider the matter further or advise that the matter should be referred to the courts or other statutory body to be determined.

For further information or advice write to
The Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Registrar
Driving Standards Agency
Stanley House
56 Talbot Street
Nottingham
NG1 5GU
Telephone: 0115 901 2500