Refund for driving lessons

November2

I had several driving lessons and paid in cash, was then given a list of dates for future lessons and paid for the lot in one go via my bank direct to instructor. After just half a dozen lessons I have cancelled the remaining. Instructor is a franchise driver for a company, I was given no receipt for my payment, nor can I find any terms or conditions on the web site. Does anyone know where I now stand legally regards a refund for the unused lessons? Instructor sent me a text acknowledging my cancellation but didn't mention anything about a refund.

KatrinaWaves

When you decided to cancel did you discuss the cancellation and the possibility of a refund with your instructor?

Mrsn

Depending on the amount of notice you given you might not be given a full refund of what your expecting. I would give the franchise a call to clarify things if you have not paperwork (did you not sign anything when you first started your lessons?) bear in mind the instructor is self employed and might be withholding some to mitigate his loss in wages especially if he has had to refuse new learners

November2

Thanks for replies. No, I didn't sign anything nor do I have any receipt for the payment. I couldn't face taking another lesson and emailed my cancellation to the Instructor 2 days before the next lesson was due so I assumed I would lose the fee for that lesson and maybe the next. I didn't mention a refund when I cancelled as I assumed it would just be made, he didn't mention it when replying. A relative then told me that I may not get my money back. I know I have to contact him and ask but have been putting it off in the hope he'll just send it. Was wondering where I legally stand, there's so much conflicting info online.

bris

You have no automatic rights to a refund. With no contract then contract law will apply. This allows for the instructor to basically keep any losses due to your breach.


As it's just really his time them it will be almost impossible to do this. The petrol cost because he is not using the car for X amount of hours is about all you could argue for.

Jumblebumble

November2 wrote: »

Thanks for replies. No, I didn't sign anything nor do I have any receipt for the payment. I couldn't face taking another lesson and emailed my cancellation to the Instructor 2 days before the next lesson was due so I assumed I would lose the fee for that lesson and maybe the next. I didn't mention a refund when I cancelled as I assumed it would just be made, he didn't mention it when replying. A relative then told me that I may not get my money back. I know I have to contact him and ask but have been putting it off in the hope he'll just send it. Was wondering where I legally stand, there's so much conflicting info online.

I do not know why you would expect the instructor to send you anything when you have entered into an agreement that you have now decided you don't want to keep.
If you are waiting for a proactive refund don't hold your breath
It may be that He could argue that you were given a discount for multiple lessons and the ones you have had can be back calculated at a higher rate per lesson
If he gave refunds willy nilly he would not have a business for very long

Manxman_in_exile

Why couldn't you face taking another lesson? Bad instructor or have you decided driving is "not for you"?


I gave up learning to drive when I was 18 because I hated it. Didn't start again until I was 42. Passed no problem. (Mind you, I had a very good instructor - mother of a work colleague - who specialised in nervous older learners!)


Perhaps the greatest regret of my life (I've been very fortunate) is that I didn't learn sooner. I love driving now.

November2

Thanks for replies. Not what I hoped to hear, I just assumed if you cancelled future lessons you would get a refund for those not taken. It wasn't a discounted or intensive course, he sent me a list of future dates and I prepaid for them as it seemed easier than carrying cash out to the car each lesson. Shouldn't there be something on the website stating no refunds?
Manxman - Had 5 lessons, last lesson was so awful I couldn't face another, Instructor had no understanding of anxiety or stress and just kept shouting at me. I was a complete wreck by the end of the lesson. Thought of getting back into a car with him was making me ill so I cancelled.

unholyangel

Have you tried discussing with the instructor that his shouting makes you anxious and more likely to make mistakes?

I tried 3 different instructors before I found one I liked. A female, elderly gentleman and the last one was a middle aged guy who shouted if you did something wrong and tbh, I preferred him. Made it more memorable when I did something wrong (and so, not to repeat it) rather than the softly softly approach. I appreciate people are different but maybe something to consider.

If you know someone who would be able & willing to teach you, you could always do that. I only had a couple of paid lessons to learn the more technical stuff. The rest I learned driving to/from work with my dad beside me. Even sat my test in my own car.

Manxman_in_exile

It's better to find an instructor you're happy with - which may mean trial and error.


Remember, most people are nervous and anxious when starting to learn to drive (at least I was).


Assuming you are quite young, it's a lesson not to pay for a course of lessons upfront - you may not get on with the instructor. Even if you can get some refund, you almost certainly won't get it all back.

macman

You contracted to all the lessons you'd paid for, now you've broken that contract. What makes you think you will get an automatic refund? You haven't even asked for one!