Terms and conditions

The following terms and conditions represent the basis upon which training is offered by Sutherland Driving School. The provision of training is subject to the acceptance of these terms and conditions.

You must hold a current, valid driving licence, provisional, full or international, and produce it on (or in advance of) all your driving lessons. You must be fit to drive with regard to legal and medical requirements. Appropriate footwear must be worn. You must not wear high heels, thongs or other footwear which instructor thinks, may cause safety concerns with the foot controls. A flat and enclosed shoe is recommended. Mobile phones must be switched off during the driving lesson.

Payment can be made by Cash, Bank Transfer and Credit Card or Debit Card (PayPal only). If either you or your instructor needs to cancel or re-arrange a lesson at least 24 hours notice will be required for single lessons of up to two hours duration. Longer lessons need a minimum of four days notice. Failure to give notice will result in a valid claim for an equivalent value in compensation (i.e., a cancellation fee will be charged or credited). Your instructor will do everything possible to ensure that your lessons start and finish on time, but reserves the right to cancel, postpone or change lesson lengths and start/finish times under certain circumstances (e.g., dangerous weather conditions). In the event of postponement fees paid in advance will be carried forward. The instructor reserves the right to cancel a lesson at short notice if it is suspected that the learner driver may be unfit due to the effects of alcohol, drugs (prescribed or otherwise) or any other condition that would cause his/her driving to be dangerous or illegal. In such circumstances the lesson fee will be payable.

Your instructor will endeavour to maintain regular lesson slots at the same time each week to ensure continuity of learning, however, this cannot be guaranteed. The minimum lesson period is one hour per learner driver. If, for any reason, the instructor is late for the lesson he will make a concerted effort to inform the learner driver of the estimated time of arrival. If the delay is greater than 15 minutes this time will be credited to the learner driver and when possible the lesson will be extended by the time due – if this is not possible the extra time will be carried forward to the next suitable lesson.

All sessions will start and finish at the same location unless alternative arrangements are made in advance. The instructor will determine a location for practical lessons which ensures both the learner driver and public safety – this means that the instructor may need to drive the learner driver to and from the lesson location; this journey time forms part of the lesson as paid for.

Training vehicle provided by the school is roadworthy and fitted with dual controls. If you are driving in your own vehicle, your Instructor must first assess that your vehicle is roadworthy

Your instructor reserves the right to refuse use of a driving school vehicle for test if he considers that provision of a vehicle could cause a risk to public safety. Where a school car is used for test, the booking period will based upon the instructor's normal diary schedule. Depending on the time of the test this will require two and half hour booking and possibly longer. While your instructor will make every effort to ensure that the vehicle supplied for test will be fully road worthy and comply with all legal requirements at the start of the test, he cannot be held responsible for vehicle failure that occurs during the test and is not liable for consequential loss. Your instructor cannot be held responsible for test appointments cancelled by the Service NSW due to bad weather, sickness, staff shortages or other reasons. Such cancellations are beyond the control of your instructor and therefore the lesson fee and 'use of car' fee for the booked period will be charged.