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Bookings, Payments, Refunds & Cancellations Policy

Plain Sailing Tadley – Bookings, Payments, Refunds & Cancellations Policy
Last updated: 01 January 2026

This policy applies to all driving lessons, intensive courses, test day bookings, and related services provided by Plain Sailing Tadley.

By booking lessons or services, you agree to the terms set out below.

1. Lesson Structure

  • Standard lessons are offered in 1-hour or 2-hour sessions only.
  • Intensive courses consist of 5-hour sessions, including appropriate breaks.
  • Lessons cannot be booked back-to-back on the same day.
  • Block bookings are available in:
    • 10-hour blocks
    • 20-hour blocks
  • For standard lessons, a minimum gap of 24 hours is required between sessions.
  • Intensive courses are exempt from the 24-hour spacing requirement.

2. Bookings

  • All bookings are managed through the Amelia booking system.
  • Lesson availability is subject to instructor availability and operational requirements.
  • We reserve the right to reschedule lessons where necessary due to safety, operational, or unforeseen circumstances.

3. Pricing

  • Lesson prices are fixed at the time of booking.
  • Discounts may be offered at our discretion where specific slots are booked.
  • Prices are subject to change.
  • Existing confirmed bookings retain the price agreed at the time of booking.

4. Payments

  • Payment is required in full no later than 3 days before the scheduled lesson.
  • Lessons will not take place if payment has not been received by this deadline.
  • Lessons may be booked without upfront payment only where:
    • Payment is made by cash, and
    • The cash payment is made at the previous lesson.
  • Cash is never accepted on the day of the lesson.
  • Bank transfer is the preferred payment method.

5. Cancellations & Rescheduling (Student-Initiated)

  • Lessons may be cancelled or rescheduled up to 3 days (72 hours) before the scheduled lesson.
  • Cancellations or reschedules within 3 days are:
    • Non-refundable
    • Not eligible for rescheduling

Sickness Exception

  • One free reschedule may be granted due to learner sickness only.
  • A minimum of 24 hours’ notice must be given.
  • This allowance is discretionary and limited to one occurrence.

6. Instructor Cancellations

If an instructor cancels a lesson due to illness, vehicle issues, weather, or operational reasons:

  • The lesson will be rescheduled where possible.
  • If rescheduling is not possible, a refund will be issued, including same‑day cancellations.
  • Liability is limited to the value of the affected lesson only.
  • No additional compensation is payable.

7. Lateness, No‑Shows & Early Termination

  • If a learner is late, the lesson time runs from the original start time.
  • Missed time due to lateness is not extended or refunded.
  • Failure to attend a lesson without notice is treated as a no-show:
    • No refund
    • No reschedule
  • If a learner ends a lesson early, the unused time is not refundable.

8. Instructor Discretion & Safety

  • Instructors retain full discretion regarding lesson continuation based on safety and suitability.
  • If a lesson is terminated by the instructor for safety or conduct reasons, the lesson is not refundable.

9. Test Day Bookings

  • Test day use of the vehicle requires a minimum booking of 3 hours.

  • This includes:

    • Travel to the test centre
    • The driving test
    • Travel back

  • Test day bookings are only accepted where the instructor confirms the learner is test-ready.

Not Test-Ready

  • If a learner is deemed not test-ready, they cannot use the instructor’s vehicle for the test.
  • In such cases, the learner must arrange their own vehicle.
  • This decision is at the sole discretion of the instructor and is final.

DVSA Test Cancellations

  • If the DVSA cancels a test within 3 days of the booking:
    • No refund is issued.
    • No reschedule is guaranteed.
  • Outside of 3 days, rescheduling may be offered where possible.

10. Under‑18 Learners

  • A parent or legal guardian is financially responsible for all bookings, payments, cancellations, and charges relating to learners under 18.

11. Abuse of Policy

To protect service availability:

  • Repeated cancellations or reschedules may result in:
    • Loss of rescheduling privileges after 5 occurrences
    • Termination of services
  • No refunds will be issued where services are terminated due to policy abuse.

12. Force Majeure

In exceptional circumstances beyond our control (including extreme weather, emergencies, strikes, or government restrictions):

  • Lessons will be rescheduled only
  • Refunds are not guaranteed

13. Policy Updates

  • This policy is reviewed annually and may be updated where required.
  • Updates take effect upon publication on this website.

Acceptance

By booking lessons or services, you confirm acceptance of this Bookings, Payments, Refunds & Cancellations Policy.