Terms and Conditions.
Fitness to Drive
You must hold a current and valid driving licence, provisional or full depending on tuition, which must be produced on your first driving lesson, and at regular intervals throughout your training. Any changes to your driving licence due to medical conditions or driving convictions must be communicated to Scott Schofield immediately.
Please ensure that you present yourself in suitable clothing, particularly practical footwear. It is also important to attend lessons with any appropriate glasses or contact lenses for reasons of road safety.
​Driving under the influence of drink and drugs is illegal and strictly forbidden. If it is suspected that you may be under the influence of drink or drugs (this may also include certain prescription drugs) the lesson will be stopped and you will be charged the full price for that lesson. It is normally the morning after the night before that people get caught out, so please consider this if you have an early morning lesson.
​If your instructor believes you are unfit to drive for failing to meet any of these conditions, the lesson will be cancelled at your expense. Schofield Automatic cannot accept responsibility for any injury, loss or damage arising from a driving lesson as a result of the pupil (you) being unfit to drive.
​Communications Devices
The use of mobile phones during lessons is prohibited by law and must be turned onto silent mode for the duration of the lesson to avoid unnecessary distractions.
​Lesson payments
All payments must be made at the beginning of each lesson, and can be by cash or online bank transfer.
Block bookings must be paid for in full on the first lesson of that block.
Refunds will only be made in exceptional circumstances.
​If you suspend taking any pre-paid tuition for a period of 8 weeks or more, any remaining tuition owed will be forfeited.
Prices may be adjusted at any time with reasonable notice.
​Cancellation Policy:
​The fees applied in respect of lesson cancellations are as follows:.
If less than 48 hours (2 days) notice is given, the full lesson fee must be paid.
If you suspend taking your driving lessons within a block of pre paid lessons for a period of 8 weeks or more, then any remaining lessons will be forfeited.
Should your instructor cancel your driving lesson for any reason, no financial penalty will apply and your lesson will be re-arranged at no additional charge to you.
Schofield Automatic cannot be held responsible for any mechanical or electrical failure which may cause the prevention or termination of a lesson or driving test.
If the weather is too severe to take a lesson, the lesson can be re-arranged at no extra cost to you .
The decision will be made considering your ability and any advice given by motoring organisations.
If you decide to cancel at short notice due to weather and the conditions are suitable to drive, the lesson will be chargeable
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Lessons:
Lessons will only be taught on a one-to-one basis unless the pupil (you) have asked to have someone accompany you, and the instructor is in agreement. In this instance the extra person must be seated in the back of the car and their presence must not be a detriment to the lesson. You will always receive the full lesson time you have paid for. Your instructor will be happy to start and finish your lesson from different locations, providing these are agreed at least one week in advance, and that both are within the usual area of their work.
​Penalties:
Whenever you are driving in the tuition vehicle, you will be under close supervision. However, Schofield Automatic cannot be held responsible for any infringement of the law. Any fines that are incurred will be the responsibility of the driver.
​Practical tests:
Your instructor will make every effort to help you reach a good standard of driving that will enable you to pass your driving test, and you must try to maintain regular lessons leading up to your test otherwise your test date might have to be moved back to give you more time to prepare. The only way to pass the driving test is to be properly prepared. In the interest of road safety Schofield Automatic reserves the right to withdraw the use of the car for tests without prior notice, should you prove to be unsafe and not up to test standard.
​If your test is cancelled due to DVSA Examiner illness, you may be entitled to compensation from the DVSA for the test hour tuition car hire charge. The lesson before the test may also be refunded by the DVSA, but will not be refunded by Schofield Automatic. Your test will be rearranged by the DVSA automatically and you will receive confirmation from the DVSA in the post.
​If your test is cancelled due to bad weather or poor light there is no compensation from the DVSA.
The DVSA will however, automatically re-arrange the test, free of charge. The Lesson before the test will still be charged for.
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On the day of your test a minimum of a one hour lesson is mandatory to ensure final preparations can be made for your test. In addition to this there is also a one hour charge for the use of your Instructor’s car for the test its self. If you desire a longer pre-test lesson, this can be arranged.
​Damage to the School Car:
During lessons, Your Instructor will make every effort to avoid damage to the car. However, if they consider that you were driving in a dangerous or unpredictable way during a lesson and actual damage is caused despite best efforts made, you will be expected to pay half towards repairs (up to the level of excess on the instructor’s insurance policy). This will be discussed at the time of the damage. In addition, during driving tests, the examiner will not prevent you, the candidate from hitting the kerb or causing other similar minor damage to the car. Therefore, all damage caused by you whilst on test will be charged to you (up to the level of excess on the instructor’s insurance policy).
Punctuality:
Your instructor will contact you if they are going to be later than 15 minutes for your driving lesson. The time lost will be added to the end of the lesson if possible, or added to another lesson at a later date. If you are more than 15 minutes late for your lesson, then that time will be lost.
​Insurance
Your instructor has Pupil Liability Insurance in place as this is a contractual requirement.
​Behaviour
Any abusive, offensive or other such conduct will not be tolerated and the course may be terminated without notice.
​COVID-19
These additional terms and conditions will only apply for the whole duration of COVID-19 until otherwise stated.
Your lesson must be prepaid before you enter the vehicle. You can pay by the following methods:
Cash only accepted as a last resort. Must be exact amount if possible.
Your hands MUST be thoroughly washed and sanitised before entering the vehicle. If this is not possible, hand sanitiser will be made available to you.
Before entering the vehicle, your instructor will ask you to confirm that you are fit to drive and have no COVID-19 symptoms, which are
- A high temperature
- A new continuous cough
- A loss of taste or smell
Your instructor will also ask if anyone in your household/bubble has symptoms. If you or anyone in your household has symptoms the lesson will be terminated and future lessons cannot re-start until you have recovered and for a minimum of 14 days unless you supply proof of a negative test result.
If you display any COVID-19 symptoms whilst driving, the lesson will be terminated immediately. Lessons will be suspended for 14 days.
The following will have been completed prior to you getting in the vehicle:
- All contact surfaces cleaned with anti-bacterial wipes.
- The vehicle will have been properly ventilated.
Your instructor will wear a face covering. You will also be expected to wear a face mask unless you are exempt from doing so.
All exemptions must be agreed prior to your lesson and your instructor has the right not to deliver a lesson should they feel the risk is too high.
You will still be charged for your lesson if this happens on the day of your lesson. Your instructor can provide a face covering for your or you can provide your own. You can also wear protective gloves should you wish to do so. If you are not requested to wear a mask or gloves, avoid touching your face.
Your lesson brief and debrief may take place outside of the car
No additional passengers will be allowed to sit in on lessons
Air flow will be maintained at all times, either by having windows open or use of airflow through vents
We will not provide any handouts or ask you to touch any of our training materials. You may use your smart phone to take a photo.
Lesson cancellation fees will still apply unless you have symptoms of COVID-19 and need to self isolate. If you confirm you have COVID-19 symptoms, we will not charge any cancellations fees if you cancel. Lessons will be suspended for 14 days.
If your instructor is asked to provide your details to NHS Track and Trace Agents they will do so immediately. If they are asked to self isolate by Track and Trace Agents we they will do so until they are declared fit by testing.
You will be made aware should this happen.
These precautions may not stop transmission of COVID-19. You are taking lessons at your own risk as are we.
We are following guidelines from the DVSA along with other organisations.
Pricing
Lesson prices shown on the website can be changed at any time with no prior warning. Students already taking tuition lessons will be given 1 month’s notice of a price change.