Driving Instructors and Learner's Money Complaints

It is a common practice for driving instructors to offer a discount to learner drivers for advance block booking of driving lessons, where money is paid upfront.

But what is the responsibility of an ADI when it comes to the money of any learner driver?
Well before you give any instructor your money for advance bookings you should satisfy yourself that they are fully qualified (except in the case of trainees) and are registerd with the DSA (they must display their certificte in the tuition vehicle).
Have you ever thought that the only details you know about the person you are giving money to is First name and mobile phone number (in the last 5 years I've only ever had one person actually check my ADI badge!), you don't know where they live, many will not take note of the car registration number, nor will many even know what make or model the driving school car is, and I won't be surprised some may even get the car colour wrong.

Now most driving instructors are honest and hard working individuals, and will fufil their part of any contract for lessons, by turning up when agreed, give you a full hour, will not give you a late notice cancellation (unless totally unavoidable), but what if you do have problems with an instructor have paid in advance and need to get your money back?



Your first point of contact is the instructor, try and iron out the issue with them, if that fails either because you cant contact them, they ignore your calls or have gone AWOL, then you should contact the DSA:

email adireg@dsa.gsi.gov.uk or
write to: ADI Section, DSA, The Axis Building, 112 Upper Parliament Street, Nottingham, NG1 6LP.

If your instructor has taken your money and not provided the lessons or other services agreed, you need to contact the local Trading Standards office

Remember you need evidence, so always ask for a reciept for monies paid in advance, know what the terms of business of an instructor is, they have a right to charge you for late cancellation of a lesson (much easier if you paid in advance), also what happens if you don't want to have the 10 lessons you agreed on, is there a penalty?

If you don't want to lose your money, make sure you know who you are dealing with, get the details from the ADI badge, not all instructors have driving school names plastered on their car, but anyone being paid to teach you to drive MUST have a valid green or pink badge.

Use the DSA website to find a qualified instructor near you.

If you require high quality driving lessons in NW London from a very helpful, patient and fully qualified instructor, then why not call or send me a text message on 07956233032

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