Terms & Conditions

Scheduling & Fitness

Cancellations, Rescheduling & Fitness to Drive

To ensure the smooth running of our bookings and fairness to all pupils, the following terms apply:

A minimum of 48 hours’ notice is required to cancel or reschedule any driving lesson.
Cancellations or rescheduling made with less than 24 hours’ notice will result in the full lesson fee being forfeited.
No-shows, including situations where the pupil is not present or not ready to begin the lesson at the scheduled time, will also result in the full lesson fee being forfeited.
Lessons cancelled or rescheduled between 24–48 hours’ notice may be charged at the instructor’s discretion or may incur a partial fee.
Fitness to Drive: If a pupil arrives for a lesson but is not in a suitable condition to drive — including but not limited to being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, excessively fatigued, distressed, or otherwise impaired the instructor reserves the right to refuse to conduct the lesson. In such cases, the decision is at the instructor’s discretion, and the full cost of the lesson may be forfeited.

Use of Vehicle and Insurance Coverage

Where driving lessons are conducted using the driving school’s vehicle, all instruction is covered under the driving school’s insurance policy, including any accidents that may occur during the lesson.

However, where a pupil chooses to undertake lessons in their own private vehicle, the pupil acknowledges that the driving school and the instructor’s insurance cannot provide cover for any accidents, damage, or liability arising during such lessons.

In these circumstances, the pupil accepts full responsibility for ensuring that their own vehicle is appropriately insured for instructional use.

Insurance

By booking a lesson, pupils agree to these Terms and Conditions.

Vehicle Hire

Driving Test Vehicle Hire

These Terms and Conditions govern the hire of a vehicle provided by Stage 1 Driving School for the purpose of a driving test. By booking a vehicle hire service, the student agrees to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.

Eligibility for Vehicle Hire

To be eligible to hire a vehicle from Stage 1 Driving School for a driving test, the required vehicle must be available and the student must:

Hold a valid learner permit appropriate for the vehicle category being tested.
Have completed a driving assessment with a driving instructor from Stage 1 Driving School at an additional cost.
Be deemed by the instructor, at their sole professional discretion, to have reached a safe and suitable standard to undertake the driving test using the school's vehicle.

Refusal of Vehicle Hire

Stage 1 Driving School reserves the right to refuse the hire of a vehicle where:

The student does not meet the required driving standard.
The instructor believes the student may pose a safety risk to themselves, the examiner, the instructor, other road users, or the vehicle.
The student arrives for the test under the influence of alcohol, drugs, medication affecting driving ability, or in an otherwise unfit condition.
The student cannot produce a valid learner permit when requested.

No liability shall arise from a refusal based on safety grounds.

Vehicle Hire Fee

The vehicle hire fee covers the use of the vehicle for the driving test and any agreed pre-test preparation session. All fees must be paid in full before the test date unless otherwise agreed. Vehicle hire fees are separate from any driving assessment fees.

Driving Test Appointment

The student is responsible for:

Booking their own driving test unless agreed otherwise.
Providing accurate test details including date, time, and test centre location.
Informing the driving school immediately of any changes to the driving test appointment.

Cancellations and Rescheduling

By the Student - A minimum of 48 hours' notice is required to cancel or reschedule a vehicle hire booking. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice may be subject to the full hire fee.

By Stage 1 Driving School - The driving school reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a booking due to:
- Vehicle breakdown or mechanical issues.
- Instructor illness or emergency circumstances.
- Severe weather conditions or circumstances beyond the driving school's reasonable control.

In such cases, any prepaid vehicle hire fees will be refunded or transferred to an alternative date where possible.

Condition and Use of Vehicle

The vehicle remains the property of Stage 1 Driving School at all times.The student must follow all instructions given by the accompanying instructor. No modifications, adjustments, or unauthorised use of the vehicle are permitted. The vehicle may only be used for the authorised driving test and any agreed preparation session.

Accompanying Instructor

The driving school reserves the right to require an instructor to accompany the student to and from the driving test centre and remain available during the test period.

Liability

While every effort is made to provide a suitable test vehicle, Stage 1 Driving School cannot guarantee that a driving test will proceed or that the student will pass the test. The driving school accepts no responsibility for driving test cancellations made by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) or other relevant testing authority. The driving school shall not be liable for any indirect losses, costs, expenses, or disappointment arising from a failed test, refusal of vehicle hire, or cancellation outside its reasonable control.

Damage and Misuse

Where damage to the vehicle results from deliberate misuse, negligence, or unlawful actions by the student, Stage 1 Driving School reserves the right to seek reimbursement for repair costs and any associated losses.

Instructor's Final Decision

The decision of the instructor regarding a student's suitability to use the school's vehicle for a driving test is final. This decision is made in the interests of safety, insurance compliance, and vehicle protection.

Acceptance

By booking and paying for a vehicle hire service, the student acknowledges that they have read, understood, and accepted these Terms and Conditions.