Lesson Payments & Deposits

A prepayment of £80 is required for all lessons. This prepayment secures your booking and acts as protection against late cancellations.

Seasonal or Individual Discounts

Occasionally, seasonal or individual discounts may be offered at my discretion. Any discounted price will always be communicated clearly before booking.

Please note that these are exceptions, and the standard lesson prices as advertised on the website remain fixed. Discounts are provided in a way that does not create inconvenience or confusion, and all students are expected to respect the published pricing.

Driving Lesson Booking Confirmation Policy

If you have been sent a booking confirmation based on your stated availability, it will be treated as a confirmed driving lesson unless we hear otherwise from you within the notice period. If you’re unable to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your slot to another learner.

If we do not receive a response within the given notice period, your booking will automatically be considered confirmed and your lesson time will be reserved for you.

Please note that if you do not attend your scheduled booking and later claim that you did not confirm it, this will not be accepted. The booking will still be considered confirmed, and applicable charges will apply under company’s notice period policy.

Please understand that each lesson slot could have been given to another learner on our waiting list — many of our students wait all week for a chance to book a driving lesson.

To cancel, change, or reschedule a booked driving lesson, please provide at least 48 hours’ notice.
Cancellations or changes made without sufficient notice — including those due to sickness, emergencies, or last-minute reschedule requests (such as migraines or headaches , high temperature ) — will be subject to the full lesson fee, in accordance with company policy.

Exceptions
The only exceptions to this policy apply if a learner is required to be admitted to a hospital due to an incident, accident, or severe illness. In all other circumstances, the standard cancellation policy and fees will apply.

We truly appreciate your understanding and cooperation. This policy helps ensure that all learners have a fair opportunity to book lessons and continue progressing toward their driving goals.

Cancellations & Rescheduling

  • If you cancel a lesson within 48 hours of your scheduled time, the £80 prepayment will be non-refundable.
  • All cancellations or rescheduling must be notified at least 48 hours in advance. If you consistently provide sufficient notice or have never cancelled, the £80 prepayment will be deducted from your final test day balance.
  • If you book and then later decide not to take lessons, an administration fee of £40 will be deducted from the prepayment. If this decision is made within 48 hours of the lesson, the full £80 will be retained.

Explanation of Cancellation Policy

I completely understand that unexpected situations—such as work or personal matters—may arise. However, informing me at least 48 hours in advance when you are unable to attend a lesson allows me to offer that time slot to another learner, many of whom are on a waiting list.

As I am self-employed, I am only paid for the hours I work. When cancellations occur at short notice, it becomes difficult to reassign that time to another student, which leads to a direct loss of income. For this reason, late cancellations are chargeable under company policy.

Medical Emergencies

If you need to cancel a lesson due to a medical emergency or GP appointment, please provide appropriate proof (such as a doctor’s note, prescription, or emergency admission letter). In such cases, the cancellation charge may be waived at my discretion.

Misunderstanding of Lesson Time or Date

Please make sure to double-check your lesson time and date when booking. If you arrive at the wrong time (for example, attending in the morning when your lesson is actually scheduled in the afternoon), this will still be considered a missed lesson.

I understand that mistakes can happen and may be genuine. However, as I reserve that slot for you and cannot always offer it to another learner at short notice, such situations will still be treated as a late cancellation and the lesson fee will be charged, even if it is the first occurrence.

Health & Safety

  • If you are unwell with cold or flu symptoms, you must wear a mask during the lesson. Failure to do so will result in the lesson being terminated and charged in full.
  • No alcohol, cannabis, or any substances that impair driving are permitted. If detected, the lesson will be terminated and charged in full.
  • If your hands sweat excessively, please wear gloves for safety.
  • Students must wear appropriate footwear (trainers recommended). No sliders or heels are allowed.
  • Drinking beverages during lessons is not permitted.

Vehicle Care & Damages

  • When parking near the curb, a 6-inch space from drains must be maintained.
  • Any damage to alloys or tyres caused by curbing will incur a £80 charge per alloy/tyre.
  • During the first 5 sessions, beginners will not be charged for alloy damage.
  • Students are responsible for any Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) or Notice of Intended Prosecution (NIP) received while driving. Your details will be provided to the relevant authorities.

Student Responsibility for Vehicle Care

By taking driving lessons, you are investing in developing your skills, knowledge, techniques, competence, and safe driving standards. While I will guide and support you throughout your learning, it is important to understand that you also have a legal and personal responsibility for your own safety, the safety of other road users, and for looking after the vehicle.

If damage occurs as a result of negligence, lack of care, loss of concentration, or not following instructions, you may be held responsible for the cost of repairs. This policy is not intended to discourage you but to emphasise the importance of driving with focus and responsibility at all times.

Dashcam & Recordings

  • Lessons are recorded via in-car dashcams.
  • Recordings may be used for insurance, safety, or complaint investigations.

Instructor Responsibilities

I cannot be held responsible for:

  • Lesson postponements caused by vehicle breakdowns or adverse weather.
  • Test cancellations or postponements made by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Driving Test Booking Information

Learners can book their practical driving test directly through the DVSA website using following links
https://www.gov.uk/book-driving-test
We strongly encourage and advise all learners to book their test at the same test center where they are currently practicing. Doing so is highly beneficial, as it allows you to:

  • Familiarize yourself with the local test routes.
  • Gain confidence by practicing in the exact area where your test will take place.
  • Cover the required 27 driving skills more effectively during lessons to pass your driving test and be a safe driver.

This approach not only enhances your preparation but also helps build confidence for your test day, giving you a better chance of passing successfully.

Fast-Track or Emergency Test Bookings

In certain situations, learners may need to secure an earlier or emergency driving test appointment. In such cases, we can assist you by connecting you with a third-party booking service that specializes in fast-track test arrangements.

Please note the following important points:

Additional Fees:
  • Apart from the standard DVSA test fee, third-party providers charge an administration fee for their service.
  • This fee varies depending on factors such as the test center location, the urgency of the booking, and availability.
  • Typically, the shorter the notice period (e.g., within 3–4 weeks), the higher the admin fee. Booking well in advance (e.g., 6 months ahead) usually results in lower fees.
Payment Responsibility:
  • All payments for fast-track bookings, including both the DVSA fee and the third-party admin fee, are made directly to the third party.
  • We do not handle or accept payments on their behalf.
Our Role:
  • Our involvement is limited to guiding and supporting learners who request a fast-track booking.
  • We are not responsible for the pricing structure of third-party providers, as it is entirely set by them.

Summary

  • Book your test at your local practice center for the best preparation and higher success rate.
  • For urgent bookings, we can guide you towards third-party services, but please be aware of their independent charges.
  • Our aim is to ensure that you are fully informed and supported in making the choice that best suits your needs.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Important Information About Driving Test Bookings

Please note that the DVSA practical test booking fee only covers the cost of the driving test itself. It does not include:

  • The use of a driving instructor’s car on the day of the test.
  • Any driving lessons prior to the test.

It is the learner’s responsibility to confirm with their instructor that both the instructor and their vehicle will be available before booking a test.

Current Waiting Times

At present, the average waiting time for a practical driving test booked directly through
the official GOV.UK  website is around five to six months.

These delays are due to a combination of factors, including:

  • The COVID-19 backlog, which left many learners waiting for tests.
  • A surge in demand following the pandemic, with more candidates applying for tests than ever before.
  • A shortage of examiners in some areas.
  • A generally higher number of people taking driving tests nationwide.
  • Learners specifically targeting test centers with a higher pass rate, which increases demand and waiting times in those locations.

Fast-Track and Emergency Test Bookings

Because of these extended waiting times, some learners choose to use third-party fast track booking services. These services may be able to secure an earlier test date, but they do charge an additional administration fee on top of the standard DVSA test fee.

Please note:

  • The admin fee varies depending on the urgency of the booking, the chosen test center, and the provider’s pricing.
  • Tests booked well in advance (e.g., six months ahead) usually have lower costs, while urgent bookings (e.g., within three to four weeks) are more expensive.
  • All payments, including the DVSA fee and any admin fees, are made directly to the third party. Safelanez Driving School does not handle or accept payments on their behalf.
  • We are not responsible for the pricing policies of third-party providers.

At Safelanez Driving School, we always encourage learners to book their own test directly through the official DVSA website to avoid additional charges. However, if a learner makes an urgent request for an earlier date, we can assist by referring them to a trusted third-party fast-track service.

Short-Notice Test Booking Policy

Refunds & Cancellations Policy

Short-Notice Bookings
  • Once a short-notice driving test date has been booked, the payment is strictly non refundable.
  • Short-notice test dates are fixed and cannot be amended, cancelled, or exchanged after confirmation.
  • If you need to make a change, no changes or refunds will be possible, and the full invoice amount will remain payable.
Standard Bookings
  • For all other driving test bookings, any changes or cancellations must be made before the official DVSA cancellation deadline.
  • Once this deadline has passed, the booking becomes fixed, and no refund or exchange will be possible.
  • If you would like to change the date or time of your test, please let us know within one hour of receiving your booking confirmation (sent via WhatsApp). After this time, we’re unfortunately unable to make changes, cancellations, or issue refunds, as the DVSA requires cancellations to be made before their official deadline. In such cases, the full amount invoiced will still be payable.

Summary:

  •  Short-notice bookings = non-refundable, non-changeable.
  • Standard bookings = changes only possible before DVSA’s cancellation deadline.
  • After deadlines pass, no refunds or exchanges can be given

Acknowledgement of Third-Party Authority

By choosing to use a third-party fast-track notification system or booking application, you are granting our affiliates the authority to act as your legal representative when dealing with the DVSA and DVLA. This authority includes the ability to:

  • Book test appointments on your behalf.
  • Amend or reschedule existing bookings.
  • Cancel appointments if required.

This arrangement is solely for the purpose of managing your driving test booking efficiently. Safelanez Driving School’s role is limited to guiding learners towards these services when requested; we are not involved in setting or collecting their fees.

In summary:

  • Book directly through the DVSA website for the most cost-effective option.
  • For urgent or early test dates, we can help connect you with third-party fast-track services — but please be aware of their independent admin fees.
  • Always confirm your instructor’s availability before booking.

Driving Test Day Car Hire

Our school charges a set car hire fee for test day, which includes an additional mock test hour. This fee reflects:

  1. Vehicle Hire – Use of the car on your driving test.
  2. Supervision & Responsibility – During the test, you will be driving with the examiner, not under my supervision. This involves additional risks.
  3. Risk & Insurance – The test environment carries higher risks of accidents or incidents. Insurance and liability considerations are factored into our pricing.
  4. Vehicle Wear & Tear – The test involves intensive driving (braking, manoeuvres, emergency stops), which adds to the car’s wear and tear.

You may choose to hire a vehicle from another provider (e.g., Enterprise), provided it meets DVSA requirements. However, if you wish to use my vehicle, the set test day hire fee must be paid.

Hygiene & Consideration for Others

To ensure a comfortable and respectful learning environment for all students, I kindly ask you to observe the following:

  • Please ensure personal hygiene before lessons. Taking a bath or shower and using deodorant helps maintain a fresh and pleasant atmosphere inside the vehicle.
  • If you experience excessive hand sweating while driving, you may wish to wear light driving gloves for comfort and safety.
  • Avoid wearing clothing with strong odours (e.g., food, smoke, or other scents) that may be uncomfortable for others.
  • Please check that your clothing is free from pet hair, as it can trigger allergies for other learners using the car after you.

These measures are in place not to cause inconvenience, but to ensure that every student can learn in a clean, safe, and comfortable environment.

Agreement

By booking lessons, you agree to abide by the above terms and conditions. These policies are designed to ensure fairness, safety, and professionalism for both instructor and students.