AcademyDrive Driving Instructor Training Course
AcademyVR Driving Instructor Training Course
In this Agreement the following expressions will have the following meanings unless inconsistent with the context
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1 Account Manager is the person allocated by Us to oversee Your progress throughout Your Driving Instructor Training Course. Your Account Manager will guide You through the course journey by helping You understand the training process from start to finish, addressing key milestones along the way, and preparing You for Your next steps towards joining an AA Driving School franchise at the appropriate stage.
1.2 ADI means a driving instructor who has been tested and registered as an Approved Driving Instructor by the DVSA;
1.3 Advance Payment means the option for paying the Charges in advance, as described in paragraph 6.2.1
1.4 Business Day(s) means a day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday in England, when banks in London are open for business.
1.5 Charges means the fees and charges agreed and payable to Us in respect of the Services notified to You in the Confirmation Receipt and for the avoidance of doubt the Charges do not include the fees for DVSA test. The current amounts of which are set out as Training Fees in Schedule 2.
1.6 Confirmation Receipt means the confirmation of Charges that We send to You in accordance with paragraph 6.1.
1.7 Date of the Agreement means the date as set out on the Confirmation Receipt as the start date of Your Driving Instructor Training Course.
1.8 Discount means any discretionary discount off the Charges that We may have agreed with You on entry of this Agreement, as recorded in the Confirmation Receipt issued by Us to You.
1.9 Driving Instructor Trainer is the trainer You will be allocated from time to time (the allocated Driving Instructor Trainer may change at any time during the duration of this Agreement).
1.10 The Driving Instructor Training Course is the training described in Schedule 1, which will include either the Academy Drive or Academy VR options.
1.11 DVSA means the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
1.12 Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 means the relevant part of the process specified by the DVSA to be undertaken by persons wishing to qualify as an ADI, being Theory and Hazard Perception (Part 1), Driving Ability (Part 2), INSTRUCTIONAL Ability (Part 3) and “Part” or “Parts” shall be construed as meaning any one or more of these parts as appropriate;
1.13 Payment Plan means the option for paying the Charges under an instalment plan, as described in paragraph 6.2.2.
1.14 Services means the services which We provide to You (including any of them or any part of them) under this Agreement.
1.15 Training Location means the location where You will meet for training either for VR classrooms or in-car training.
1.16 Trainee Services Team means the team within AA who provide day-to-day support for trainees, including assistance with scheduling training, accessing online platforms, and answering general administrative queries.
1.17 We/Us/Our/AA means Automobile Association Developments Limited (registered number 1878835), whose registered office is at The AA, Plant, Level 3, Basing View, Basingstoke, RG21 4HG. VAT number: 188031110.
1.18 The Driving Instructor Training Course provided under this Agreement is provided for the purposes of Your trade, profession or business and Your status as a customer will be interpreted accordingly.
2. DVSA ACCEPTANCE AND OTHER PRE-CONDITIONS OF TRAINING
2.1 Our obligations under this Agreement will not begin until such time as Your application to start qualifying as an ADI has been accepted by the DVSA.
2.2 You confirm that:
2.2.1 You are over 21 years of age
2.2.2 (i) You do not have any outstanding criminal charges and (ii) You do not have any existing criminal convictions, or (ii) You have had the required criminal records check approved by the DVSA
2.2.3 You hold a clean, current and full UK or EU/EEA driving licence and have done so for at least 3 years, including the category of vehicle for which You intend to provide tuition
2.2.4 Your eyesight meets the DVSA test standard; and
2.2.5 You will notify Us of any change to Your circumstances which cause any of these statements in paragraph 2.2 to be incorrect.
2.3 If any of the information set out in paragraph 2.2 above is incorrect or ceases at any time to be correct, or if any other information which You have provided to Us and which We have relied on in deciding to enter into this Agreement is incorrect or ceases, at any time, to be correct We may terminate this Agreement. For the consequences of termination see paragraph 10 below.
2.4 We may, at Our discretion, agree to provide the Services to You before the DVSA accepts Your application to start the qualifying process to become an ADI. If We do so and the DVSA does not accept Your application within six (6) months of the Date of Agreement, We may terminate this Agreement. For the consequences of termination under this paragraph 2.4, see paragraph 10.3 below.
2.5 If after one (1) year from the Date of this Agreement You have not completed all the elements of Your Driving Instructor Training Course, any training/tuition not already taken and/or provision of Services by Us not already provided will be forfeited. If You need to take longer than one year to complete all the elements of Your Driving Instructor Training Course due to circumstances beyond Your control, You must obtain Our written confirmation so that an additional period can be agreed.
2.6 You will be asked to sign this Agreement when We send the Confirmation Receipt. Your contract with Us starts on the Date of this Agreement.
3. DVSA TESTS AND ADDITIONAL TRAINING
3.1 You will need to arrange Your Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 test with the DVSA and You must pay the fee for the test directly to the DVSA. We may provide You with advice as to whether and when, in Our opinion, You are ready to take Your test. However, if We recommend that You are ready to take Your test, We do not give any guarantee that You will successfully pass such test
3.2 Should You need to re-sit Your Part 1, Part 2 or Part 3 test, You will be responsible for paying any applicable fees directly to the DVSA and for arranging to re-sit Your test(s) with the DVSA.
3.3 It is Your responsibility to meet any DVSA requirement(s) with regard to attendance at, and participation in, any relevant test including, but not limited to, any requirement to arrange and be accompanied by a pupil during the Part 3 test.
3.4 For the Part 2 test You should either use Your own vehicle or, You may request to purchase additional tuition hours to enable You to use one of Our instructor vehicles. If We provide a vehicle for You to use for Your test, You will use the vehicle solely for this purpose and You will be responsible for meeting any costs We incur as a result of any damage sustained to the vehicle or any accident involving the vehicle whilst in Your custody which is not met by Our insurance policy.
3.5 Provision of a vehicle by Us is discretionary. We do not guarantee the availability or provision of a vehicle for Your use in a Part 2 test.
3.6 For the Part 3 test, if You have already commenced Your Trainee Franchise Agreement You will take the test in the vehicle that is provided under the terms and conditions of the Trainee Franchise Agreement. If You have not commenced a Trainee Franchise Agreement, for the Part 3 test You should either use Your own vehicle or, You may request to purchase additional tuition hours to enable You to use one of Our instructor vehicles. If We provide a vehicle for You to use for Your test, You will use the vehicle solely for this purpose and You will be responsible for meeting any costs We incur as a result of any damage sustained to the vehicle or any accident involving the vehicle whilst in Your custody which is not met by Our insurance policy.
3.7 Provision of a vehicle by Us is discretionary. We do not guarantee the availability or provision of a vehicle for Your use in a Part 3 test.
3.8 Should You need to re-sit Your Part 2 and/or Part 3 test, or need to take a test which has had to be rescheduled due to a failure to meet any test requirement as per paragraph 3.3 above, for the re-sit of Your Part 2 and or Part 3 test, You should either use Your own vehicle or vehicle that is provided under the terms and conditions of the Trainee Franchise Agreement (if applicable) or, You may request to purchase additional tuition hours to enable You to use one of Our instructor vehicles. If We provide a vehicle for You to use for Your test, Your use of such vehicle shall be in accordance with paragraphs 3.4, 3.5, 3.6 and 3.7 above.
3.9 Upon Your request, We may arrange for You to be provided with additional training over and above that included within the Driving Instructor Training Course. You will be obliged to pay Us for such additional training at Our then current rate(s), available from Us on request. All additional training must be paid for by You in advance to Us, together with VAT at the rate applicable at the date of payment and must not be paid direct to Your Driving Instructor Trainer.
3.10 You should advise Us as soon as possible of the outcome of every test attempt (whether You have passed or failed). It would also be helpful to Us if You could provide a full copy of Your test results to Us as these assist Us in identifying areas for development.
4. PART 1 – THEORY & HAZARD PERCEPTION
4.1 On or before the date of this Agreement and prior to commencement of any Part 1 training under this paragraph 4, You will pay to Us the relevant Charges in accordance with paragraph 6.2 below.
4.2 We will provide You with Part 1 materials following completion of Your two (2) week onboarding period.
4.3 We will send the written training materials to Your nominated address. We will use reasonable endeavours to send the written training materials following completion of Your two (2) week onboarding period and within twenty-eight (28) days after We receive from You the Charges (when paying by Advance Payment option) or after You have paid Your deposit (when paying under a Payment Plan).
4.4 The standards which You will need to achieve to pass Part 1 are specified by the DVSA. In relation to Part 1 We will, subject to the terms of this Agreement, including without limitation paragraph 8 below, provide You with materials in accordance with the Schedule 1: Driving Instructor Training Course.
4.5 If after three (3) months from the Date of this Agreement You have not passed the DVSA Part 1 – Theory & Hazard Perception Test, any training/tuition not already taken and/or provision of Services by Us not already provided may be forfeited. If You need to take longer than three (3) months to pass the DVSA Part 1 – Theory & Hazard Perception Test due to circumstances beyond Your control, You must obtain Our prior written confirmation so that an additional period can be agreed.
5. PART 2 – DRIVING ABILITY & PART 3 – INSTRUCTIONAL ABILITY
5.1 Your training will take place in accordance with the training schedule set out in Schedule 1: Driving Instructor Training Course. Subject to paragraph 2.5. Prior to commencement of any Part 2 or Part 3 training You will pay to Us the agreed Charges in accordance with paragraph 6.2 below. We will not be obliged to provide You with any Part 2 or Part 3 materials or training until We have received the relevant agreed payment from You.
5.2 Subject to payment as set out above, We will provide You with Part 2 and Part 3 training confirmation of Your Part 1 pass.
5.3 The standards which You will need to achieve to pass Part 2 and Part 3 are specified by the DVSA. In relation to Part 2 and Part 3 We will, subject to the terms of this Agreement, including without limitation paragraph 9 below, provide You with materials in accordance with the Schedule 1: Driving Instructor Training Course.
5.4 If after nine (9) months from the Date of this Agreement You have not passed the DVSA Part 2 – Driving Ability Test, any training/tuition not already taken and/or provision of Services by Us not already provided may be forfeited. If You need to take longer than nine (9) months to pass the DVSA Part 2 – Driving Ability Test due to circumstances beyond Your control, You must obtain Our prior written agreement to confirmation so that an additional period can be agreed.
6. CHARGES AND PAYMENT
6.1 You must pay Us the Charges as set out on the Confirmation Receipt We send You.
6.2 We offer two payment options. The option that We have agreed with You will be shown on the Confirmation Receipt We send You. The two payment options (and some specific terms which apply to them) are as follows:
6.2.1 Advance Payment – under this option You must pay all of the Charges in advance as one lump sum before We start providing any of the Services; . If You are using the Advance Payment option, payment must be made in full before We start providing any of the Services.
6.2.2 Payment Plan – under this option You must (1) pay an initial deposit and (2) provide a valid Direct Debit Instruction to pay future instalments on a monthly basis, before We start providing any of the Services. The number of instalments and amounts payable will be set out on the Confirmation Receipt We send You confirming the agreed Payment Plan. We will only start providing Services after You have paid the deposit and continued provision of the Services will be subject to You not falling behind in payment of the agreed instalments.
6.3 All Charges are inclusive of VAT at the relevant prevailing rate. If the VAT rate changes, We will be entitled to adjust the Charges accordingly. We will notify You if this occurs.
7. MATERIALS AND TUITION
7.1 AcademyDrive Course: If You cancel any of Your eight (8) day In-car Driving Instructor Training courses with less than ten (10) working days’ notice of the course start date You will lose the relevant tuition hours and We will treat that tuition as having been taken so that any such tuition shall count towards the number of hours’ tuition specified in Schedule 1: Driving Instructor Training Course.
7.2 AcademyVR Course: If You cancel any of Your six (6) day VR workshop and In-car Driving Instructor Training courses with less than ten (10) working days’ notice of the course start date You will lose the relevant tuition hours and We will treat that tuition as having been taken so that any such tuition shall count towards the number of hours’ tuition specified in Schedule 1: Driving Instructor Training Course.
7.3 In addition to the Services under this Agreement, We may provide suggestions on operating a franchise including business skills. The information is of a general nature, is not tailored and is not a substitute for professional advice. You are recommended to obtain specific professional advice before You take any action. We make no warranty of any kind with respect to the completeness or accuracy of the information provided. The provision by Us of any information, including but not limited to any application materials, relating to any franchise opportunity in no way guarantees that that opportunity will be available to You or that You will be eligible or accepted for any such opportunity. We will not be liable to You for any actions taken or any inaction as a result of You relying on or in any way using information given relating to operating a franchise and in no event shall We be liable to You for any damages resulting from reliance on or use of this information.
8. TERMINATION AND SUSPENSION
8.1 We will have the right to terminate this Agreement if You choose to have Your trainee licence sponsored by another driving school.
8.2 Without prejudice to any other rights We may have by law, We may exercise Our rights to terminate this Agreement in accordance with paragraphs 2.3, 2.4, 4.5, 5.4 and/or 8.3.
8.3 If You are paying the Charges by instalments under a Payment Plan and You fail to make any instalment payment when due, and such instalment remains outstanding for a period of 7 days or longer, We will be entitled to suspend the Services until You pay Us the missed instalment (and any other instalment then due, whether outstanding for 7 days or less). If any instalment remains outstanding for 56 days or longer or if You pay late or fail to make a payment when due on two or more occasions, We will be entitled to terminate this Agreement and You shall remain liable for payment in full of the outstanding Charges.
8.4 Once You start Your training, You should make all attempts to pass Your part 1 within 3-months and Your part 2 within 9 months of Your start date. If You require more time, You may in accordance with paragraphs 4.5 and 5.4, request an extension. If You do not request an extension, We will be entitled to terminate this Agreement on giving You not less than 30 days written notice. On receipt of such notice, You can request that We either grant more time for training or suspend the Services (including but not limited to access to any online learning platform included in the Driving Instructor Training Course) for a period of 3 months, at the end of that period of 3 months You should contact Us to either request that Services are resumed, or request a further suspension of Services for another period of 3 months. At the end of the second period of suspension if You do not request that the Services are resumed, We will terminate the Agreement and You will not be entitled to a refund of any Charges paid. For the avoidance of doubt the maximum period for which the Service can be suspended at Your request is 6 months in total.
9. YOUR RIGHT TO CANCEL
9.1 You may cancel this Agreement in accordance with paragraphs 9.2 and 10 below. You have the benefit of a fourteen (14) day “cooling off period” starting the day after the Date of this Agreement as set out on the Confirmation Receipt We send to You during which You may cancel and receive a refund.
9.2 You may exercise this right to cancel the Agreement by informing Us clearly of Your decision to cancel by e-mail to [email protected]. Refunds (if any) shall be calculated in accordance with paragraph 10 below.
10. REFUNDS ON CANCELLATION OR TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
10.1 Cancelling within cooling-off period If You cancel the Agreement within the fourteen (14) day cooling-off period as set out in paragraph 9, We will provide You a full refund of the Charges You have already paid to Us.
10.2 Cancelling outside of the cooling-off period After the cooling-off period referred to in paragraph 9.1 You may cancel the Agreement but no refund will then be due from Us to You. If You have not paid the Charges in full as at the date of Your cancellation under this paragraph 10.2 then You shall remain liable for the payment of Charges in full.
10.3 If We terminate the Agreement under paragraph 2.4 because the DVSA rejects Your application to start qualifying as an ADI, We will provide a full refund, provided that the reason for rejection is not related to one of the matters that You have confirmed in paragraph 2.2. If the reason for rejection by the DVSA is that You have certified incorrectly one or more of the matters in paragraph 2.2, whether negligently or deliberately, We will not provide a refund and You shall remain liable for the payment of Charges in full.
11. COPYRIGHT
11.1 You agree and acknowledge that all rights in Our documents and materials are owned by or licensed to, and shall remain vested in or licensed to, Us or to the relevant member of Our group (as the case may be).
11.2 Use by You of Our documents and materials is restricted to personal use for the purposes of Your Driving Instructor Training, or as otherwise authorised by Us in writing from time to time.
11.3 Any unauthorised copying, duplicating, distributing or unauthorised use will constitute an infringement of copyright.
12. GENERAL
12.1 We are not liable for any death, loss or injury sustained by You during or after the tuition unless such death, loss or injury is due to Our negligence or breach of this Agreement.
12.2 If We or You: i) choose not to rely on any of Our rights or to not enforce an obligation or restriction; and/or ii) fail to or delay in exercising any right or remedy; and/or iii) only partially exercise a right or remedy; and/or iv) only exercise a single right or remedy; under this Agreement, this does not affect Our or Your liability to rely on these same rights and/or exercise any right or remedy in future.
12.3 We may assign, hold on trust, licence or sub-contract all or any part of Our rights or obligations under this Agreement. In particular, We may provide the Services (or any part of them) through third party driving instructors (who We may change from time to time).
12.4 This Agreement is personal to You and You may not assign; hold on trust; licence; sub-contract or re-sell all or any of Your rights or obligations under this Agreement without Our prior written consent.
12.5 No one else shall be able to enforce any of the terms of this Agreement.
12.6 This Agreement may not be varied unless that variation is in writing signed both by You and on behalf of Us.
12.7 Any notice in connection with this Agreement (including any complaints) must be in writing addressed to the Head of AA Driving School Academy, AA Driving School, Capital Tower, Greyfriars Road, Cardiff CF10 3AG and will be duly served:
12.7.1 If delivered by hand, when left at the proper address for service;
12.7.2 If given or made by first class post or special delivery post, 48 hours after being posted or in the case of airmail 14 days after being posted excluding days other than Business Days; or
12.7.3 If sent by email to [email protected] on the sending date in the sender’s time zone where sent before 5pm in the recipient’s time zone on a Business Day or on the next Business Day where sent after 5pm, in each case as verified by written or automated notification or by electronic log.
12.8 The formation, existence, construction, performance, validity, and all aspects whatsoever of this Agreement will be governed by the relevant United Kingdom law. The English Courts (if You live in England), Scottish Courts (if You live in Scotland) or Welsh Courts (if You live in Wales) will have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any disputes which may arise out of or in connection with this Agreement. You and We agree to submit to that jurisdiction.
SCHEDULE 1: DRIVING INSTRUCTOR TRAINING SCHEDULE
Your Course Includes Three Key Parts:
Part 1 – Theory & Hazard Perception
The DVSA Part 1 test is the first test within the process of becoming an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI)
Included with Your training course:
• Access to the Driving School online learning platform until You pass Your Part 3 test if You choose to join an AA Driving School or BSM franchise. If You decide not to join a franchise, Your access will continue until You pass Part 2 and complete Your practical training.
• Access to an online theory and hazard perception training platform – limited to 1 licence for the duration of 6-months.
• Official DVSA Training Resources sent to Your address.
Timeframe: Aim to complete within 3 months of Your start date. If You need more time, contact Us to request an extension.
What You need to do:
• Book and pay for Your DVSA Part 1 test directly with DVSA.
• The standards which You will need to achieve to pass Part 1 are specified by the DVSA.
• Pass Part 1 before moving to practical training.
Part 2 – Driving Ability | Part 3 – Instructional Ability
DVSA Part 2 focuses on Your driving ability, while Part 3 evaluates Your ability to teach pupils effectively.
Included:
Our practical course is designed to help You prepare for both tests and includes the option to use a DVSA trainee licence after passing Part 2. While the trainee licence is not mandatory, it provides valuable real-world teaching experience and is strongly recommended before attempting the Part 3 test.
Training Options:
• AcademyDrive: 8-day in-car course (50 hours total) or
• AcademyVR: 6-day virtual reality workshop + in-car course (40 hours total).
Timeframe: Aim to complete Your practical training and pass Part 2 within 9 months of Your start date.
Your responsibility:
• Book and pay for Your DVSA Part 2 and Part 3 tests directly with DVSA.
• Meet DVSA requirements (e.g., bring a pupil for the Part 3 test).
• The standards which You will need to achieve to pass Part 2 and the Part 3 are specified by the DVSA.
Important Notes:
• You can schedule Your practical training after passing Part 1.
• If You cancel with less than 10 working days’ notice, You will lose those tuition days.
• Additional training can be purchased if needed.
• AA Driving School is not responsible for DVSA delays or test availability.
SCHEDULE 2: FEES
Payable to AA Driving School
All Charges are inclusive of VAT at the relevant prevailing rate. If the VAT rate changes, we will be entitled to adjust the Charges accordingly. We will notify You if this occurs.
Training Fees
AcademyDrive course fee: £2349
AcademyVR course fee: £1549
Additional Top Up Lesson £50 p/h
Franchise Fees
Only payable to AA Driving School if You select a franchise
Franchise administration fee: £180
Franchise deposit: £170
Weekly franchise fee: Available on request
Other Fees1
Payable to the Post Office
DBS Identification Check: £8.22
Payable to the DVSA
Part 1 test: £81
Part 2 test: £111
Part 3 test: £111
Trainee Instructor licence: £140
First ADI certificate (or ‘badge’): £300
Renewal or re-registration: £300
Replacement ADI certificate (or ‘badge’): £3
1 Correct at time of publication.
Valid from 4th December 2025