⛽ Fuel Price & Temporary Surcharge Policy
Important Notice
All block bookings are accepted subject to this Fuel Price Adjustment Policy.
This policy applies only to block bookings or lessons paid for in advance, where the lesson price may be fixed several months before the lessons are delivered.
For pay-as-you-go lessons, prices may be reviewed and adjusted periodically to reflect changes in operating costs such as fuel.
Fuel costs are a significant part of running a driving school. This policy explains how changes in fuel prices may affect lesson prices. It is designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and long-term sustainability for all learners, while allowing the driving school to continue offering a block-booking facility during periods of fuel-price volatility.
Without this policy, the block-booking facility may need to be withdrawn.
1. Baseline Fuel and Lesson Price
Lesson prices were reviewed on January 1st, 2026 and are based on the then national average petrol price of £1.35 per litre. This baseline reflects typical operating costs for delivering driving lessons in the UK.
2. Weekly Fuel Price Review
Fuel prices are reviewed every Wednesday, using the national average E10 petrol price published by RAC Fuel Watch.
This weekly review cycle ensures that any adjustments are predictable, consistent, and based on reliable information, and are implemented only for as long as necessary.
Any surcharge changes take effect from the following Monday, giving learners clear notice.
3. When a Surcharge Applies
If the national average petrol price reaches £1.50 per litre or higher, a temporary fuel surcharge may be applied.
The surcharge applies to:
- all future lessons
- any remaining hours within a block booking that have not yet been delivered (a balancing payment will be required)
This ensures that lessons remain financially sustainable during periods of significant fuel‑cost increases.
4. How the Surcharge Is Calculated
The surcharge is based on 10p national fuel‑price bands, starting at £1.50 per litre.
| National Average Petrol Price | Surcharge Applied |
|---|---|
| £1.35–£1.49 | 0% |
| £1.50–£1.59 | +2% |
| £1.60–£1.69 | +4% |
| £1.70–£1.79 | +6% |
| £1.80–£1.89 | +8% |
| £1.90–£1.99 | +10% |
The surcharge is applied to the full lesson price, including any additional travel time or mileage where relevant.
This banded approach ensures clarity and avoids ambiguity around small price movements.
5. Communication of Changes
If a surcharge is triggered:
- learners will be notified in advance
- the updated rate will apply from the following Monday
- the surcharge will be removed automatically when the national average petrol price falls below £1.50 per litre
This ensures transparency and avoids unexpected changes.
6. Industry Context
Fuel‑linked surcharges are a standard practice across the transport‑related industry, including:
- logistics and haulage
- courier and delivery services
- taxi and private‑hire operators
- commercial fleet operators
These sectors routinely adjust prices based on national fuel‑price movements to maintain operational sustainability. This policy follows the same principle, adapted appropriately for driving instruction.
7. Why This Policy Exists
This policy ensures:
- fair and transparent pricing
- protection against sudden increases in operating costs
- consistent, high‑quality service for all learners
- long‑term sustainability of lesson availability
It allows lessons to continue safely and professionally, even during periods of fuel‑price volatility.
