Terms & Conditions
Last updated: 9 June 2025
These Terms & Conditions ("Terms") form the agreement between Steer Smart Driving School Ltd ("we", “our” "us") and the individual booking driving tuition ("you", "pupil"). By booking or taking a lesson, using our website or otherwise dealing with us, you accept these Terms in full.
1. Your licence & legal eligibility
1.1 You must hold a valid UK provisional or full driving licence and present it to your instructor before your first lesson.
1.2 If you have an older paper licence, you must also provide photographic proof of identity.
1.3 You authorise us to carry out a DVLA licence check using the share‑code facility when requested.
1.4 You confirm that you can read a standard number plate from 20 metres, with corrective lenses if required, meeting DVSA eyesight rules.
1.5 You must tell us immediately about any medical condition or change in vision that could affect safe driving.​
2. Booking & payment
2.1 Lessons are normally booked in one‑ or two‑hour slots at the published hourly rate or as agreed in writing.
2.2 Payment is due in advance or at the start of each lesson. Online payments are held in client credit and released to the instructor after the lesson has taken place.
2.3 Block‑booking discounts must be paid in full before the first lesson; unused hours are refundable only at the pro‑rated undiscounted rate.
2.4 Block‑booking expiry – Pre‑paid lesson packages must be taken within 12 months of purchase; unused hours are non‑refundable after this point.
2.5 Price‑review clause – We may adjust lesson prices to reflect significant increases in fuel, insurance or regulatory costs. We will give you 14 days’ written notice before any new rate applies to future, unbooked lessons. Hours already paid for are unaffected.
3. Cancellations & no‑shows
3.1 You must give your instructor at least 48 hours’ notice to cancel or rearrange a lesson, otherwise the full lesson fee is payable.
3.2 Notice must be given by phone, SMS or email directly to your instructor (do not reply to automated reminder texts).
3.3 Waiting‑time clarification – Your instructor will wait up to 15 minutes after the scheduled start time. If you have not arrived or made contact, the lesson will be treated as cancelled without notice and charged in full.
3.4 If your instructor must cancel, they will try to give at least 48 hours’ notice. Where this is impracticable, you will be offered either a replacement lesson or a full refund of the lesson fee.
4. Conduct during lessons
4.1 You must be free from the influence of alcohol, recreational drugs or prescription medication that impairs driving. The instructor may terminate the lesson immediately on safety grounds and the full fee will still apply.
4.2 Suitable footwear and any required corrective lenses must be worn.
4.3 Mobile phones must remain off or on silent unless expressly required for lesson purposes.
4.4 Dash‑cam / in‑car audio – Some instructors use forward‑facing dash‑cams that record continuously for safety and training. Video is stored securely and retained for a limited period. Interior audio recording is off unless you give explicit consent. Cameras will be turned off or removed inside the vehicle during any DVSA practical test in line with examiner guidance.
5. Driving‑test bookings
5.1 Your instructor may advise when you are ready for test, but booking the DVSA practical test is your responsibility.
5.2 We reserve the right to withhold the school vehicle for a test if, in the instructor’s professional opinion, you are not safe or legal to drive.
5.3 The DVSA requires 10 working days’ notice to cancel or move a car test for a refund.
5.4 We cannot be held responsible for DVSA cancellations or postponements but can assist you to claim any statutory refunds or out‑of‑pocket expenses.
5.5 DVSA video rule – Filming or audio recording inside the car during a practical test is prohibited unless the examiner expressly agrees. Any dash‑cam will therefore be disabled for the duration of the test.
6. Our obligations
​6.1 All Steer Smart instructors are DVSA‑approved and hold valid motor insurance for paid tuition.
6.2 We will provide a dual‑controlled, road‑worthy vehicle for lessons and (where agreed) for the driving test.
6.3 We will behave with courtesy, punctuality and professionalism at all times.
6.4 We follow the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) Code of Practice in all tuition and business activities. The full Code is available on GOV.UK.
7. Your obligations
7.1 Follow all reasonable instructions from your instructor and comply with the Highway Code.
7.2 Treat our staff, vehicles and equipment with respect; you are liable for wilful damage.
7.3 Keep your contact information up to date.
8. Liability, insurance & force majeure
8.1 Nothing in these Terms limits or excludes our liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence.
8.2 To the fullest extent permitted by law, we are not liable for indirect or consequential loss (including lost test fees) arising from lesson or test cancellations beyond our control.
8.3 Your statutory rights under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 remain unaffected.
8.4 Force majeure – We are not liable for any delay or failure to provide lessons caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to extreme weather, fuel shortages, strikes, instructor illness, pandemics or government restrictions. In such cases, lessons will be rescheduled at a mutually convenient time.
9. Website use & intellectual property
9.1 All content on steersmartdrivingschool.co.uk is owned by us or our licensors; unauthorised copying is prohibited.
9.2 Links to external sites are provided for information only and we accept no responsibility for their content or privacy practices.
10. Data protection
All personal data is processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and the UK GDPR.
For information on how we use cookies (including Google Ads) and your opt-out choices, see our Privacy Policy.
11. Changes to these Terms
We may update these Terms at any time by posting a revised version on our website. Changes will not affect bookings already confirmed unless required by law.
12. Marketing & media consent
From time to time we may ask to use your first name, testimonial, photo or “pass‑certificate selfie” for marketing on our website or social media. We will always ask first, and you may withhold or withdraw consent at any time without affecting your lessons.