Terms

Colin Halford – your instructor is approved by The Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and is a member of the ADI Federation. As a professional, your instructor follows a strict code of practice

Essential Information About You

To enable your instructor to provide the best possible service please can you ensure he has the following:-

  • Full name
  • Email address
  • Mobile number
  • NI number
  • Driver number
  • Home address

If one or more are missing. Your instructor can not guarantee you booking. But they will do their up most best to accommodate you.

Legal requirement and responsibilities

You must hold a current provisional driving, which should be produced for inspection on the first lesson. If a photo card licence both the card and online part must be produced when required. You must be able to read a number plate from a distance of 20.5 metres, or 20 metres if new “A” style number plate. Corrective lenses must be worn if required. If your instructor suspects that you are under the influence of drink or drugs you will be refused permission to drive and you will be charged for the lesson.

Client well-being

In the interests of comfort and safety, you are advised to wear suitable footwear and comfortable clothing which does not restrict movement. Please ask your instructor for any advice you may require.

Legal liability

The instructor will make every effort to train you to the highest standard but can in no way be held liable for any errors you commit whilst driving unaccompanied by your instructor either, before during or after a successful practical driving test pass. You must be accompanied on your lesson (or driving test) by a supervising examiner, whose job it is to ensure that the tuition given (or examiner) meets the required standard. This is a legal requirement and in the public interest.

Tuition fees

Payment should be made at the start of each lesson. You may pay for your lesson by cash, or bank transfer. All accounts must be cleared before proceeding on an official driving test. Increases in the price of lessons will be made only when absolutely necessary and you will be notified well in advance of any changes.

Block bookings to be paid up front in full and to be used up in 3 months.

TARIFF

The duration of a normal lesson is approximately one hour in duration. This can be changed by mutual agreement. Lessons will normally start from a client’s home or other place, again by mutual agreement. HDS sets the cost of a lesson.

 

  • Late Cancellation may incur a cost payable to HDS
  • A missed lesson will incur costs, payable to HDS
  • Theory Test fee is payable to the DVSA
  • Normal Practical Driving Test fee is payable to the DVSA
  • PassPlus is available
  • Any price increase for lessons or DVSA test you will be given as much notice as is possible.

Cancellation

In the event of cancellation 48 hours notice is required without a cancellation fee being charged.

By the driving school

Driving Tests take priority over lessons therefore booked lessons may have to be postponed if the school receives short notice of a driving test. If a lesson has to be cancelled due to a vehicle breakdown or emergency, an alternative appointment will be made with mutual consent. If such a cancellation involves the loss of a driving test the school shall be responsible for the booking fee.

By the client

If you wish to cancel / postpone a lesson you should provide at least 48 hours notice otherwise you will be charged.

It should be noted that the DVSA requires 3 working days notice for the postponement or cancellation of a practical driving test or theory test.

By the DVSA

If lessons or tuition vehicle hire are cancelled at short notice because a test is cancelled by the DVSA fees are still payable. HDS cannot be held responsible for any cancellation or postponement of a driving test imposed by the DVSA.

Vehicle checks

Before the start of your test your instructor will go over the show me tell me questions. This will ensure that all lights are working and no warning lights are illuminated on the display panel, a visual check of the tyres will also be made. In the event that at the beginning of the test during the “show me tell me” questions a faulty bulb is found the instructor will endeavour to replace the faulty bulb. If the examiner terminates the test at this point the instructor cannot be held responsible.

Your Driving Test

Please note that no two students are alike, each will have individual limitations and levels of progress. Your instructor will advise you when you are ready to apply for your driving test and that advice is given on the understanding that you should continue with your lessons up to your test date. The advice will be based on your progress to date. It does NOT imply that the necessary standard has been reached or that it will for certain be reached by the appointed test date. Failure to continue with regular lessons may result in you failing to reach the required standard.

You must be able to drive consistently well, with confidence and without help or guidance from your instructor. If you can’t, you aren’t ready for the test.

Waiting until you are ready will save you time and money.

BEWARE

Once you have passed your test, you are on probation for 2-years If you get six or more penalty points on your licence, you will lose your licence. You will have to reapply for a provisional licence and retake (and pass) all the tests again.

PassPlus

This scheme is made up of six modules covering driving in and out of town, in all weather conditions, at night, on dual carriageways and motorways. You do not have to take another test. On completion of the course you will receive a certificate from the DVSA, which will entitle you to a discount from certain insurance companies.

PassPlus is available through HDS.

Complaints

My official authorising document (licence) will be displayed on the windscreen of the car and may be inspected freely at anytime.

If you are unhappy with any aspect of your tuition you should notify me without delay and no later than seven days from the date on which the cause for complaint arose.

Every effort will be made by me to satisfactorily deal with the complaint.