The following Terms and Conditions apply to all bookings made with Intensive Lessons using a GroupOn code. By booking a course of driving lessons, you indicate that you have read, understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions and agree to be bound by them. GroupOn may have their own Terms and Condtions which you can find on their website.

Definitions

  • You: The person named on the booking form as the pupil.
  • We, Us, The Driving School, Intensive Lessons: The driving school administering the provision of the driving course, booking the tests, and allocating you to a self-employed subcontractor who is a registered DVSA driving instructor.
  • The Instructor: A driving instructor acting on their own or on behalf of a driving school when providing the course.

General Terms

Non-Refundable Bookings via GroupOn

All bookings placed via GroupOn are non-refundable after the initial 14-day period. The GroupOn voucher codes have different pricing tiers depending on the area you reside – it is your responsibility to select the correct tier.

Course Duration and Hours

Each course includes the total hours booked, which encompasses time for the practical test (typically 2-3 hours) and driving home at the end of the course. Additional hours can be booked through us, subject to instructor availability and potential additional costs for test rebooking and fast-tracking fees. Course completion is not guaranteed within a specific timeframe due to instructor availability.

Transport to Theory Test Centre

If transport to the theory test centre is required during a lesson, this will count as part of your lesson time, from pick-up to drop-off. Transport will only be arranged if requested, and lesson times must align with the test schedule.

Eyesight Test Requirement

All pupils must pass the legally required eyesight test, typically conducted by the instructor during the first lesson. Failure to pass will result in course cancellation until eyesight is corrected, and any booked hours will be forfeited.

Readiness for Practical Test

If the instructor determines you are not ready to take the practical driving test due to safety concerns, you will not be permitted to take the test, and the test fee will not be refunded.

Test Fees and Booking

  • Prices quoted in the course guide include test fees, which we book and organize. The theory test costs £38, and the practical test costs £97 (weekdays) or £120 (weekends/outside normal hours). Extended driving tests incur an additional £62.
  • You may book tests directly through the DVSA for lower fees (£23 for theory, £62 for a standard weekday practical, £75 for weekends, or £124 for extended tests), but this involves standard waiting times (e.g., 16-18 weeks for practical tests). Our service includes managing bookings and securing short-notice cancellations.
  • We may change test dates as needed, regardless of whether the test was booked by you or us.

Start Date

  • All lesson start dates are provisional until confirmed with your instructor. If an instructor is unavailable, we will search for a start date in subsequent weeks.
  • Delays due to DVSA backlogs do not entitle you to a refund, as we prioritize customers based on booking order and test confirmations.
  • Courses may be rescheduled at the instructor’s discretion.
  • Once an instructor is allocated, you are responsible for timely communication and scheduling lessons and tests with the instructor.

Course Completion Timeline

You have 4 months from the selected start date on the booking form to complete the course.

Lesson Cancellations

If you cancel lessons with less than one full week’s notice, those lessons will be forfeited. Rearranging a course at short notice is not possible once times are agreed with the instructor.

Additional Hours

If you book and then cancel or fail to attend additional hours, these will be charged.

Breaks During Lessons

Short breaks during intensive courses can be arranged at the discretion of you and the instructor when rest is needed.

Inclusion of Breaks and Test Time

The intensive driving course includes break times, time to hire the car for the practical test, and travel to/from your agreed meeting point.

Role of Smart Bookings Ltd

Smart Bookings Ltd (trading as Intensive Lessons) acts solely as a booking and administrative agent for self-employed DVSA-registered instructors. We do not provide driving courses ourselves but subcontract instructors to deliver them. We earn a commission for successful bookings.

Learning Capability

Courses are based on average learning capabilities from past clients and serve as a guide only. No guarantees are made, and additional tuition may be required if deemed necessary for safety before taking the driving test.

Practical Test Booking

A practical test cannot be booked until you provide a valid theory test pass number. Lessons on courses less than 30hrs cannot be started until theory is passed.

Practical Test Availability

Test availability is subject to DVSA scheduling. We aim to secure a local test, but the instructor may choose an appropriate test centre. If no test slot is available for the final course day, some hours may be saved for a later test date, which may require additional time. Test centres may be closed on weekends and bank holidays, and we cannot guarantee a specific test date.

Contract and Liability

The contract for the intensive course is between you and the instructor. Disputes or claims should be addressed with the instructor first. Smart Bookings Ltd is not liable for compensation claims or traffic violations by the pupil or instructor.

Vehicle Breakdown

In the unlikely event of an instructor’s vehicle breaking down, the instructor will be responsible for any refund for outstanding lesson time and test fees. You will need to arrange this directly with the instructor.

Cancellations Due to External Factors

Neither Smart Bookings Ltd nor the instructor is liable for losses due to course or test cancellations caused by bad weather, examiner illness/strike, instructor illness, vehicle breakdown, or vehicle recalls. Where possible, the instructor will reschedule the course.

Travel and Accommodation

Do not make travel or accommodation arrangements until the course is confirmed with your instructor, unless the course includes home pick-up.

Work and Scheduling

Do not book time off work until your schedule is confirmed with your instructor.

Pupil Illness

If you fall ill and cannot continue, we will attempt to reschedule the course when you are fit. Lessons cancelled without a week’s notice due to illness may be forfeited unless the instructor agrees otherwise.

Pupil Availability

You are responsible for ensuring availability to complete the course by the test date, though instructors will try to accommodate.

DVSA Test Cancellations

We are not responsible for test cancellations or delays by the DVSA. You may apply to the DVSA for a refund of out-of-pocket expenses if a test is cancelled with less than 3 clear working days’ notice.

Fuel Price Increases

If fuel prices increase by more than 5% from the booking date, you may be required to pay an additional fee.

Abuse Policy

Physical or verbal abuse toward instructors or staff will result in course termination and forfeiture of all fees.

The Course

Individual Instruction

All courses are provided by a DVSA-registered self-employed instructor on an individual basis. Shared courses are not offered.

Instructor Qualifications

All instructors are approved or licensed by the DVSA.

Test Availability

No guarantee is made regarding test availability, especially if your theory certificate is nearing expiry (within 4 months). Theory certificates are valid for 2 years. If a test cannot be booked, an additional date will be offered. No refunds apply, and additional lessons may be required if the DVSA cancels a test.

Driving Standard

If the instructor deems your driving below the required standard for safety, you will not be allowed to take the test, and no refunds will be provided.

Vehicle Insurance

The instructor’s car is comprehensively insured. You may request insurance documentation. Smart Bookings Ltd is not responsible for insurance-related claims, which are the instructor’s responsibility.

Course Transferability

Courses are non-transferable unless approved by Intensive Lessons.

Unused Lessons

If you do not complete the course, remaining hours are valid for 1 month at the instructor’s discretion. After this, lessons and test fees are forfeited.

Instructor Insolvency

If an instructor becomes bankrupt or insolvent, they are responsible for refunds or lesson completion. Smart Bookings Ltd is not liable.

Non-Local Instructors

If we assign an instructor from outside your area, you are responsible for meeting them at a suitable location and covering travel expenses.

Switching Instructors

Choosing an alternative instructor when one is provided results in course termination and separate payment for any used tests (£38 for theory, £143 for practical).

Your Obligations

  • Meet the eyesight requirement (reading a number plate from 20.5m/67ft).
  • Satisfy DVSA residency and eligibility requirements.
  • Complete the booking form accurately.
  • Disclose any health issues (mental or physical) that may affect your performance before booking.
  • Agree on course hours with the instructor and address any scheduling issues before the course begins.
  • Arrange time off work or travel/accommodation as needed.
  • Attend lessons and tests on time, bringing both parts of a valid provisional driving licence.
  • Provide your theory pass number promptly to enable practical test booking.
  • Refrain from being under the influence of alcohol or drugs during the course, or the course will be terminated with all fees forfeited.
  • Maintain a professional attitude; abusive behaviour or deliberate failure to follow instructions will result in course termination and forfeiture of fees.
  • Present a valid provisional driving licence on the first lesson, or the course will be cancelled with fees forfeited.
  • Ensure your theory pass certificate is valid for at least 6 months at booking; otherwise, a new theory test may be required, and the deposit is non-refundable.
  • Pay any price difference if course prices increase by more than 10% due to delays over 3 months caused by your lack of response or failure to pass the theory test.
  • Forfeit the full balance if delays exceed one year due to your lack of response.
  • Notify us of any unavailability within 48 hours of booking, or you may incur charges for schedule adjustments.

Governing Law

The construction, validity, and performance of any contract shall be governed by the laws of England, Scotland, and Wales.


Issues / Complaints policy

We take any complaint against the service seriously as we aim to provide excellent service throughout. If you feel we have let you down or you feel the need to cancel the course please click the link below to request a refund or lodge a complaint. We have to investigate all matters so please provide as much information as possible. We aim to investigate all matters as quickly as possible so will respond within 7 days, simple matters should be resolved within 48/72 hours. If a refund request is granted through our refunds department, depending on your bank, you will see the refund show up between 5 to 10 business days after we have processed your refund through Stripe. Please note there is a £35 admin fee for any refunds.

Please note that refunds would not be issued to courses which we can allocate to our instructors.

Email us for complaints and refunds at complaints@intensivelessons.co.uk
(Please note, we will only speak to the customer that is taking the course, unless they send an email from the one that appears on the booking form, nominating somebody to represent them regarding the complaint).

If you wish to take your complaint further and through a third party, we will try and oblige as much as we can, but if a complaint can’t be dealt with in house then our stance will most likely be the same.

Many thanks.

Smart Bookings Ltd. Registered in England and Wales under company number: 12746265

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