Terms and Conditions

The following are the Terms & Conditions of BIG TOM Driving School.  Reference to “BIG TOM Driving School” also includes any Approved Driving Instructor (and the driving school associated) working on behalf of BIG TOM Driving School Franchise Limited. BIG TOM Franchisees are also registered with the ICO for data protection purposes.  These Terms are sent out prior to the booking of any course, and by reserving a course with BIG TOM Driving School you are confirming receipt and acceptance of the following Terms and Conditions:

BIG TOM Admin will book the first theory test only & the first two practical test attempts only (“Two test guarantee”).  No refund can be provided to customers who are unable to attend their theory/practical tests – for any reason.

When a customer is authorised as “test ready” by BIG TOM Driving School, the school will book and pay for the first driving test attempt (and if needed, the second driving test attempt) using the DVSA test booking service. No guarantee can be given of a precise date, but all effort is made to find a date/time that suits our customer’s schedule by using any driving test centre.  An added service included is that on the first test attempt only, use of the driving school car for a bonus 2 hours maximum at no extra cost (see below for more details).  If Test Day requires more than 2 hours use of the driving school car (including travel time) this will be paid for separately.  In the event of a fail on the first attempt, BIG TOM will purchase another test attempt on behalf of the customer.  The use of the driving school for any test attempts beyond the first attempt is payable at the rate of £35/hour.  No driving test fee refunds for customers who pass their driving test on the first attempt.  When a customer is authorised as “test ready” they have up to 30 days to make use of the “Two test guarantee” and bonus 2 hours for test day.  BIG TOM Driving School cannot be held financially responsible for customers who are unable to make use of these benefits within that period e.g. failing to pass the theory test, have holidays booked up, illness etc.  In the event that a customer wishes to take a driving test outside of the 30 day period, the test fee, use of driving school car, test booking service are all payable seperately (current pricing applies).

If a customer is assessed to be not ready to take the driving test for safety reasons on the last day of the intensive driving course (due to either failing the end of course mock test or not being ready to take the mock test), then the bonus 2 hours set aside for the driving test and the “Two test guarantee” will be held for that customer for a further 1 month from the date of completion of the initial course.  The “Two test guarantee” does not remain in place for customers who want to take driving tests independently of BIG TOM Driving School (including in their own, private vehicle).  An action plan detailing post-course training will be created in conjunction with the customer, the timing of the post-course sessions to fall in line with the 30 day period is the responsibility of the customer, not BIG TOM Admin.  BIG TOM Driving School will not be held responsible for delays created as a result of lack of planning or availability from the customer.  In the event that a customer does NOT want to make use of the BIG TOM Driving School vehicle for a test, then the 2 hour bonus is not refundable, however, BIG TOM Driving School will happily book a driving test for a nominal date in the future which the customer can then handle the timing of depending on their progress. The “Two test guarantee” is only available for customers who exclusively use BIG TOM for their professional driving training.  Post-course training must be of a duration of 2 hr minimum sessions and are to be reserved by payment in advance in multiples of £35/hr (excludes weekends) and they are non-refundable in the event of being cancelled after being reserved. The action plan will include all the options a customer has available including no further training with BIG TOM Driving School.  After completing the intensive driving course a customer is under no obligation to continue training and the request for a driving test slot booking must be given in writing in the post-course action plan within 30 days of the last day of in-car training of the course or it will be lost; this includes not being able to book up a test within the 30 day period due to a customer having not passed the theory test.  In this situation, BIG TOM Driving School has no obligation to source a test slot for a given date or time, simply to book a test at the desired location and provide the booking reference to the customer for their own management.  Any consequences of a customer not creating a post-course action plan are not the responsibility of BIG TOM Driving School.

If a customer fails the driving test, they will be invited to create a post-test action plan and further training can be purchased in blocks of a minimum of 2 hrs in multiples of £35/hr (excludes weekends), with the same cancellation policy as detailed above. For attempts beyond two, the BIG TOM test booking service is £35.  There are two practical driving test fees provided within the price of the “All-inclusive” intensive driving course whether it be weekday or weekend – these are valid only when a customer remains with BIG TOM Driving School.  Use of the driving school car for the purpose of a second practical test attempt is charged seperately at £35/hr.  A customer has the right to choose to have no further involvement with BIG TOM Driving School having failed a test.  Requests for further test attempts and any additional training must be given in writing in the post-test action plan.  Once a pupil has been authorised as “test ready” BIG TOM Driving School places no restrictions on any number of test attempts however, due regard is given to the content of the post-test action plan and withholds the right to decline further involvement with a pupil.  Refunds are not available for non-use of the second driving test fee.

The BIG TOM Intensive Driving Course is bespoke to individual customers needs depending on many factors and the appropriate fee will be invoiced to all customers. The bespoke course with commitment to dates and times is reserved by way of online payment of a non-refundable £200 deposit.  The remaining amount for the course is required to be received 21 days prior to Day 1 of the scheduled in-car training. Failure in providing the remaining amount in that timescale will result in loss of the deposit and the course booking.  All fees paid are accompanied by an invoice/receipt.  Payment of fees is by secure online internet banking, cash or cheque (receipts are provided).

Customers may make use of an extensive range of theory test study and digital resources at no extra charge.  It is a legal requirement to ensure that the eyesight check on Day 1 conforms the required standard for driving (the eyesight test used at driving test centres can be utilised should the need arise).  BIG TOM Driving School is not responsible for any lost training time due to issues relating to these Day 1 checks, and they are not seperately refundable.  Any lost or cancelled sessions once the in-car training starts are unable to be refunded.

If a customer is unable to take a pre-booked first driving test for any reason whatsoever, the first driving test fee and bonus 2 hour slot is then considered used and no longer available (excludes cancellation of test by DVSA or by BIG TOM Driving School). For any subsequent bookings, usage of the driving school car is charged at rates (as above).

BIG TOM utilises video recording internally and externally of the driving school car.  Customers will need to sign our CCTV policy.

Any customers who receive the 20% “self test saver” do so on the understanding that they make practical test bookings, pay test fees, manage/handle the timing, and that they understand they will be taking the driving test in their own private/hire vehicle, with their own supervising driver (insurance cover is the responsibility of the customer).  BIG TOM is unable to alter timings to the pre-planned in-car training schedule as a result of a driving test booking/alteration made by a customer.  There can be no refund of unused in-car training sessions if a customer organises a test booking prior to the conclusion of the pre-planned in-car training schedule.  The BIG TOM “Two Test Guarantee” benefit and 2 hours bonus use of driving a school car do not apply to customers who receive the “Test Booked” discount.

Cancellation policy:
Once a driving course has been reserved by way of the non-refundable deposit, the start date agreed for the in-car training can only be changed if more than 21 days notice is given from the original start date for the in-car training.  A full cancellation is subject to loss of the deposit, plus a £135 administrative fee due to the delivery of BIG TOM resources prior to in-car training (booking of tests, providing of learning resources, access to online study material).  Any DVSA fees for already booked theory/practical tests are also non-refundable. Courses (or part of) are non-transferable to other people.

No refunds are given for any sickness, or also failing the eyesight test on Day 1 of the course. BIG TOM Driving School reserves the right to refuse use of the driving school in the event that the customer is considered unfit to drive through drink, drugs, medication, illness, trauma – any such cancellations are non-refundable.  The onus is on the customer to ensure the driving licence that is presented on Day 1 of the Intensive Driving Course is valid for driving a car at the time of the course..  Any endorsements on a licence must be disclosed to BIG TOM Driving School prior to Day 1 of the course, the driving school will not be held liable for any failure of a customer to notify of any endorsement points, fine(s) or ban(s). Any lost in-car driving time for training or test due to any issue relating to non-disclosure of details on a driving licence is at the expense of the customer (including the test fee).

Any cancellations of sessions by BIG TOM Driving School are non-refundable and alternative sessions will be offered.
BIG TOM Driving cannot be held responsible for any loss of earnings encountered due to a driving test slot being lost due to a mechanical breakdown of the driving school car.

Complaints: Refer to BIG TOM Customer Charter

BIG TOM Driving School is registered with the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office) for the proper handling and management of personal data.

Tom Ingram is the owner of BIG TOM Driving School and is registered with the ICO (Information Commissioner’s Office).  Further information relating to Data Protection is contained within the “BIG TOM Data Protection Policy” and “BIG TOM Privacy Policy” of the “BIG TOM Operational Manual” which all staff/franchisees comply with.

BIG TOM promises:

You agree to:

PAY AS YOU GO Driving Lessons

BIG TOM provides ‘payg’ driving lessons Mon-Fri (6am-9pm) @ £30/hr,  payable in advance to formally reserve a booking.   PAYG customers are responsible for the sourcing of theory/practical test slot – none of the BIG TOM intensive course benefits apply.  If a customer is able to give notice for a cancellation, then every effort is made to re-schedule without financial loss – cancelled sessions cannot be refunded. If a customer fails to attend at the start time scheduled (or cancels on the same day of a lesson), then any pre-payment will be considered spent. Our policy is to remain outside at the meeting point agreed for 10 minutes after the start time – it does not involve any chasing of the customer by phone/text/email or knocking on doors. 

RISK WAIVER

BIG TOM Driving School draws your attention to the fact that learning to drive is an interactive process.  Results are not typical.  All resources provided are designed to assist learning, but interaction with them is entirely the responsibility of the customer.

Tom Ingram is the owner (Sole Trader) of “BIG TOM Driving School” 32 Broadlands Avenue, Bourne PE10 9BG Customer Support Line: 01928 508 833.