Terms and Conditions

By booking lessons with Local Driving Academy (“LDA”), you agree to the following Terms and Conditions.

About Us
Local Driving Academy provides professional driving tuition through a network of Driving Instructors (ADIs)
and PDIs (trainee instructors) operating under franchise arrangements.

1. Eligibility
1.1 Pupils must hold a valid UK provisional, full driving licence or International Licence and present it upon
request.
1.2 Pupils must meet the legal eyesight requirements for driving.
1.3 Pupils must be medically fit to drive and not under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or medication
that may impair driving ability.
1.4 Instructors reserve the right to refuse, postpone, or terminate a lesson if a pupil is deemed unfit to drive.

2 Bookings
2.1 Lessons may be booked online, over the phone directly with an instructor, or through LDA platforms.
2.2 All bookings are subject to instructor availability and confirmation.

3 Payments
3.1 Lessons must normally be paid in advance via bank transfer, card payment, online booking system, or
directly to the instructor.
3.2 Failure to make payment may result in cancellation of lessons or suspension of future bookings.
3.3 LDA reserves the right to withhold services where payment remains outstanding.

4 Lesson Validity
4.1 Prepaid lessons are valid for six (6) months from the date of purchase unless otherwise agreed in writing.
4.2 Prepaid lessons, vouchers, or course packages expire after this period.
4.3 Extensions may be granted at management discretion.
4.4 Expired lessons are non-refundable.

5 Cancellation Policy
5.1 A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required to cancel or rearrange a lesson.
5.2 Lessons cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice may be charged in full.
5.3 Repeated short-notice cancellations may result in refusal of future bookings.

6 Late Arrival
6.1 If a pupil is more than 15 minutes late, the lesson may be treated as cancelled and the full lesson fee may
be charged.
6.2 Lesson time lost due to late arrival will not normally be extended.

7 Instructor Cancellations
7.1 If an instructor cancels due to illness, vehicle issues, weather conditions, or unforeseen circumstances,
reasonable efforts will be made to rearrange the lesson.
7.2 LDA shall not be liable for any indirect losses resulting from such cancellations.
7.3 Local Driving Academy (LDA) will make every reasonable effort to provide a suitable vehicle for a pupil’s
practical driving test. However, LDA cannot be held responsible for test cancellations or postponements
caused by vehicle mechanical issues, instructor illness, accidents, or other unforeseen circumstances
beyond our reasonable control.

8 Cooling-Off Rights (Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013)
8.1 Where lessons, prepaid intensive courses, or semi-intensive courses are purchased online, by phone, or
otherwise at a distance, pupils have a statutory right to cancel the contract within fourteen (14) days from
the date of booking under the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges)
Regulations 2013.
8.2 To exercise the right to cancel, the pupil must notify Local Driving Academy in writing (including email
oxfordlda@gmail.com ) within the 14-day period.
8.3 If a pupil requests that lessons begin within the 14-day cooling-off period, they expressly acknowledge
and agree that:
• If part of a prepaid intensive or semi-intensive course has been delivered within the 14-day period, any
refund will be calculated based on the standard hourly lesson rate for tuition already provided, together
with any reasonable administrative costs incurred.
• The cooling-off right will be reduced proportionately once tuition has commenced.
• If the course is fully delivered within the 14-day period at the pupil’s request, the right to cancel will be
lost.
8.4 Refunds due under statutory cancellation rights will be processed within 14 days of receiving valid notice
of cancellation and will be returned via the original payment method unless otherwise agreed.

9 Safety Requirements
9.1 Pupils must follow the instructor’s instructions at all times.
9.2 If a pupil behaves in a way that compromises safety, the instructor may terminate the lesson immediately.
9.3 In such circumstances, the lesson fee may be forfeited.

10 Language Requirement
10.1 Pupils must have sufficient understanding of English to follow instructions safely and effectively
during lessons.

11 Vehicle Safety & Insurance
11.1 Lessons are conducted in dual-controlled vehicles maintained to appropriate legal and safety standards.
11.2 Instructor vehicles are insured for tuition purposes.
11.3 Pupils must not engage in reckless or deliberate behaviour that may invalidate insurance coverage.
11.4 Where damage is caused by willful or reckless conduct, LDA reserves the right to recover associated
costs.

12 Lesson Interruptions
12.1 Lessons may be interrupted due to traffic conditions, road closures, refueling, comfort breaks, safety
checks, or other circumstances beyond the instructor’s control. Such interruptions shall not normally entitle
the pupil to a refund.

13 Driving Test Responsibility
13.1 Pupils are responsible for booking and managing their DVSA practical driving test unless
otherwise agreed.
13.2 LDA accepts no responsibility for DVSA cancellations, delays, or rescheduling.

14 Driving Test Readiness
14.1 The decision as to whether a pupil is ready to take their practical driving test rests solely with
the instructor.
14.2 Instructors must follow DVSA guidance and will not present a candidate for test unless they believe
the pupil is test-ready and capable of driving safely and independently.
14.3 If an instructor believes the required standard has not been reached, they may decline the use of
their vehicle for the test.
14.4 Pupils may choose to postpone their test or source another vehicle at their own responsibility.
14.5 LDA does not guarantee that a pupil will pass their driving test.

15 Mock Tests
15.1 Pupils may request a paid mock test with a senior instructor or manager where test readiness is uncertain.

16 Behaviour and Conduct
16.1 Pupils must treat instructors and staff with respect at all times.
16.2 Abusive, aggressive, discriminatory, or inappropriate behaviour may result in immediate termination of
lessons and cancellation of future bookings without refund.

17 Communication
17.1 Communication must remain respectful and professional.
17.2 Enquiries and booking requests should be made during reasonable hours unless otherwise agreed.

18 Third-Party Communication
18.1 Lessons are conducted between the pupil and instructor.
18.2 Parents or third parties may assist with bookings or payments; however, instructional decisions remain
solely with the instructor.

19 Social Media and Pass Photos
19.1 LDA may request permission to use photographs of successful pupils for promotional purposes.
19.2 Written or verbal consent will be obtained prior to publication.
19.3 Pupils may withdraw consent at any time.

20 Dashcam Recording
20.1 Instructor vehicles may be fitted with dash cameras which record video and/or audio for safety, insurance,
and training purposes.
20.2 Recordings are handled in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

21 Instructor Status
21.1 All instructors operate as independent franchisees under the Local Driving Academy brand.
21.2 Unless lessons or block bookings are booked and paid for directly through Local Driving Academy
(“LDA”), the Contract for driving tuition is formed between the pupil and the individual instructor
providing the lessons.
21.3 Where lessons or block booking are booked and paid for through LDA, the contract for driving tuition is
between the pupil and Local Driving Academy. LDA acts as introducer and brand operator in respect of
lessons provided by independent franchise instructors and is not a party to the contract for tuition unless
expressly stated otherwise.

22 Refunds
22.1 Statutory Rights
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions affects a pupil’s statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act
2015 or the Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013.
22.2 When Refunds Will Be Provided
• Where LDA is unable to provide the agreed tuition and no reasonable alternative instructor or
rearrangement can be offered.
• Where a pupil cancels within the 14-day statutory cooling-off period (subject to Clause “Cooling-Off
Rights”).
• Where a pupil is unable to continue lessons due to a verified medical condition that legally prevents
driving (appropriate evidence may be required).
• Where LDA cancels prepaid lessons and is unable to reschedule within a reasonable timeframe (28 days).
22.3 Medical or Exceptional Circumstances
Where a pupil is unable to continue tuition due to serious medical or exceptional circumstances, LDA
may, at its discretion, offer either:
• A pro-rata refund for unused lessons; or
• An extension to the lesson validity period.
Evidence may be requested.
22.4 When Refunds Will Not Be Provided
• For lessons already delivered.
• For cancellations made outside the statutory cooling-off period where the required notice was not given.
• For prepaid lessons, block bookings, intensive or semi-intensive courses that have expired (see “Lesson
Validity”).
• Where services are terminated due to breach of these Terms and Conditions or inappropriate behaviour.
22.5 Unused Lessons and Expiry
• Prepaid lessons, block bookings, vouchers, and course packages are valid for six (6) months from the
date of purchase unless otherwise agreed in writing.
• If lessons remain unused after the six-month validity period, they will expire and are non-refundable.
This expiry policy does not override a pupil’s statutory rights.
22.6 Partial Use of Discounted Packages
Where a discounted block booking, intensive, or semi-intensive course is partially used and a refund is
approved, the value of lessons taken will be recalculated at the standard hourly rate. Any remaining
balance may then be refunded.
22.7 Processing of Refunds
Approved refunds will normally be processed within fourteen (14) days using the original payment
method unless otherwise agreed.

23 Payment Disputes and Chargebacks
23.1 If a pupil initiates a chargeback or payment dispute for lessons already delivered, LDA reserves the right to
provide booking, communication, and attendance evidence to the relevant payment provider.

24 Price Changes
24.1 LDA reserves the right to amend lesson prices with reasonable notice.
24.2 Price changes will not affect lessons already paid for in advance.

25 Termination of Services
25.1 LDA reserves the right to terminate lessons or refuse future bookings where a pupil breaches these Terms
and Conditions or where continuation of tuition is deemed inappropriate or unsafe.

26 Data Protection
26.1 LDA processes personal data in accordance with the UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK
GDPR) and Data Protection Act 2018.
26.2 Personal data collected may include name, contact details, licence information, lesson records,
and payment details.
26.3 Data is used for booking management, communication, legal compliance, and service
improvement.

27 Force Majeure
27.1 LDA shall not be liable for failure or delay in performing obligations where such failure arises from
events beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to severe weather, government restrictions,
fuel shortages, pandemics, industrial action, or DVSA disruption.

28 Media and Recording
28.1 Lessons may occasionally be recorded for training, insurance, safety, or educational purposes.
28.2 Pupils are not permitted to record or publish lesson footage without prior instructor consent.

29 Limitation of Liability
29.1 LDA shall not be liable for indirect or consequential loss arising from lesson cancellations, driving
test failures, DVSA delays, or circumstances beyond its control.
29.2 Nothing in these Terms excludes liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence or for any liability
that cannot legally be excluded.

30 Equality and Non-Discrimination
30.1 Local Driving Academy is committed to providing services in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
30.2 LDA does not discriminate against pupils on the grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment,
marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.
30.3 All pupils will be treated with dignity, fairness, and respect.
30.4 Where reasonably practicable, LDA will make appropriate adjustments to accommodate pupils with
disabilities or medical conditions in order to facilitate access to driving tuition. Pupils are responsible for
informing their instructor of any condition that may require reasonable adjustments or affect their ability
to drive safely.
Nothing in these Terms and Conditions permits discrimination or unlawful treatment.

31 Complaints Procedure
31.1 Complaints should first be raised with the instructor.
31.2 If unresolved, complaints may be submitted in writing to Local Driving Academy management for
review.
Please email to oxfordlda@gmail.com, we will get back to you within 28 days.

32 Governing Law
These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of England and Wales