Terms and Conditions

Key Points Summary

This is a quick guide to how lessons work with Inclusive Driving. It does not replace the full Terms & Conditions below, but it helps you understand the most important parts.

Booking and cancelling lessons

  • Lessons must be booked in advance.
  • If you need to cancel, please give at least 72 hours’ notice.
  • Late cancellations may be charged.

Payments

  • Lessons are normally paid for in advance.
  • You can pay by bank transfer (preferred) or cash.

Your responsibilities

  • Bring your driving licence to every lesson.
  • Wear glasses or contacts if you need them.
  • Tell me about any medical conditions or medication that may affect your driving.
  • Be fit and safe to drive.

My responsibilities

  1. Teach you safely and professionally.
  2. Follow DVSA rules and the law.
  3. Provide a roadworthy, insured vehicle.

Driving tests

  • I will tell you when I believe you are ready for a test.
  • You must tell me your test date at least four weeks before.
  • The DVSA test booking and booking my car are two separate things.
  • If my car becomes unavailable within the DVSA 10‑day period, the DVSA will not refund your test fee.
  • Adapted replacement vehicles are unlikely to be available at short notice.
  • If your driving is not safe or test‑ready, I may refuse use of my car up to the day before the test.
  • If this happens within the DVSA 10‑day period, you will lose your test fee.

Ending lessons

  • You may stop lessons at any time (following the cancellation rules).
  • I may stop lessons if safety, progress, or behaviour becomes a concern.

Privacy

  • I use dashcams for safety and safeguarding.
  • Full details are in my Privacy Policy.

(End of summary.)

Inclusive Driving – Full Terms and Conditions

These Terms and Conditions apply to all driving tuition provided by Inclusive Driving, operated by Richard Bates, 55 Deansfield Road, Wolverhampton WV1 2JU.

About Your Instructor

  • I am a self‑employed, independent Approved Driving Instructor (ADI).
  • My DVSA registration is current, and I display my ADI certificate in any vehicle used for lessons.
  • I am not employed by a driving school.

Booking Lessons

  • Lessons must be booked in advance by phone, text, or WhatsApp (or video call for BSL users)
  • A booking request is an offer. A lesson is only confirmed when I accept it.
  • If I accept a block booking, the contract covers all lessons in that block.
  • I cannot guarantee regular weekly slots, but I will try to offer consistent times where possible.

Cancelling or Changing Lessons

Your cancellations

  • You may cancel a lesson without charge if you give at least 72 hours’ notice.
  • If you give less notice, I may charge up to the full lesson fee.
  • If exceptional circumstances occur (e.g., illness, bereavement), I may choose to waive the fee.
  • Frequent cancellations may result in your lesson slot being offered to another student.

My cancellations

  • If I cancel with at least 24 hours’ notice, you will not be charged.
  • If I cancel with less notice, I will give you a free replacement lesson (this is not an additional lesson).

I may cancel at any time if

  • I am unwell
  • My vehicle is unavailable
  • Weather or road conditions make the lesson unsafe
  • I believe you are unfit to drive

Delays

  • If the start is delayed by 15 minutes or more, you may cancel at no charge.
  • If you continue the lesson, the lost time will be added on (now or later).

Lesson Location and Duration

  • Lesson locations are agreed at the time of booking.
  • I may choose a different location for safety or training reasons.
  • Travel time to that location counts as part of the lesson.

Minimum lesson duration

  • 1.5 hours within 5 miles of my address
  • 2 hours if further away
  • Lessons may be extended in 30‑minute increments if agreed.

Fees and Payment

  • Current lesson prices are shown on my website or available on request.
  • Prices may change, but not for lessons already booked and paid for.
  • Payment is normally required in advance by bank transfer (preferred) or cash.
  • If agreed in advance, you may pay lesson‑by‑lesson, but I may ask you to return to advance payment.

My Responsibilities

  • Provide tuition at the agreed times wherever possible.
  • Teach to a high standard within my level of competence.
  • Refer you to a more suitable instructor if your needs exceed my competence.
  • Be professional and courteous.
  • Follow the DVSA Code of Practice.
  • Act in the interests of safety at all times.

Safeguarding Statement

  • I am committed to creating a safe, respectful, and professional learning environment. Safeguarding applies to all learners.
  • I will always act to protect your safety, dignity, wellbeing, and your right to learn without fear or pressure.

If I believe there is a safeguarding concern, I may:

  • End a lesson early
  • Refuse to continue tuition
  • Contact appropriate agencies if required by law or professional duty
  • Full details of how dashcam recordings support safeguarding are in my Privacy Policy.

Reasonable Adjustments

  • I welcome learners with disabilities, medical conditions, or additional needs.
  • I will make reasonable adjustments wherever possible, including:
  • Adapting teaching methods
  • Adjusting lesson pace
  • Using alternative communication styles
  • Modifying routes or environments
  • Working with other professionals (with your consent
  • Providing an adapted vehicle where it suits your needs

Please note: I cannot guarantee that my vehicle will meet every individual need.

My car is suitable for many ability needs, but not all.

If specialist adaptations are required, I will help you explore alternatives.

Your Responsibilities

  • Be a “consumer” (not receiving tuition for business purposes).
  • Hold a valid UK driving licence.
  • Bring your licence to every lesson.
  • Wear prescribed glasses or contact lenses.
  • Be able to read a number plate at the legal distance.
  • Inform me of any medical conditions or medication affecting your driving.

Professional Boundaries

  • Lessons take place only in appropriate locations.
  • Communication is limited to lesson‑related matters.
  • Physical contact is avoided except where necessary for safety.
  • I may end tuition if boundaries are repeatedly crossed.

Personal assistance and physical support

  • I cannot provide personal assistance to help you enter or exit the vehicle, but I will allow extra time.
  • I can help with your seatbelt if you give clear consent.

Vehicles and Insurance

  • My vehicles are roadworthy, taxed, insured, and fitted with dual controls.
  • You may request to use your own vehicle, but this is at my discretion.

Driving Tests

  • I will advise you when I believe you are ready for a test.
  • You must discuss test bookings with me to ensure my availability
  • You must tell me your test date and location at least four weeks in advance.
  • You must bring all required documents to your test.
  • Use of my vehicle for your test is not guaranteed.

Test booking and car booking are separate

  • The DVSA test booking and booking my car are two separate things.
  • The DVSA fee covers the test only.
  • My fee covers my time and the use of my vehicle.

If my vehicle becomes unavailable

Although I make every reasonable effort to ensure my vehicle is available for your driving test, sometimes things happen that are outside of my control.

  • If my car becomes unavailable within the DVSA’s 10‑working‑day cancellation period, the DVSA will not refund your test fee.
  • In this situation, I cannot be responsible for the loss of your test fee, because the test booking and the car booking are two separate things.
  • While I will make every effort to obtain a replacement vehicle, it is unlikely that an adapted vehicle will be available at short notice.
  • I will support you in rebooking your test, but the DVSA fee remains your responsibility.

Test readiness and use of my vehicle

  • I will make every reasonable effort to assess your test‑readiness before the DVSA 10‑day cancellation period.
  • However, I may refuse use of my vehicle up to the day before the test if your driving is not safe or test‑ready.
  • If this happens within the DVSA 10‑day period, the DVSA will not refund your test fee.
  • In this situation, you will lose the test fee.

DVSA cancellations

  • If the DVSA cancels your test at short notice, you must still pay for my time and/or vehicle use.
  • I will help you claim compensation from the DVSA.

Ending Tuition

  • I may end your tuition if your conduct, progress, or commitment falls below reasonable expectations.
  • You may end tuition at any time (following the cancellation rules).
  • Any prepaid lessons not yet taken will be refunded.
  • Liability
  • I am responsible for foreseeable loss or damage caused by my negligence only to the extent covered by my insurances.
  • I am not responsible for loss of income, business, or opportunity.
  • Nothing limits your legal rights under consumer law.

Changes to These Terms

  • I may update these Terms & Conditions from time to time.
  • I will inform you of any significant changes.

Data Protection

  • Your personal data is handled in accordance with my Privacy Policy.

Use of Technology

  • MyDriveTime for scheduling and lesson records
  • Dashcams for safety and safeguarding
  • Digital communication for lesson arrangements and lesson support only

Complaints

  • If you have a complaint, please raise it with me directly.
  • I aim to resolve issues quickly and fairly.

Law and Jurisdiction

  • These Terms & Conditions are governed by the law of England & Wales.

Acceptance

  • By signing or accepting these Terms online, you confirm that you are aged 18 or over and agree to be bound by them.