To think that DS should get a block driving lessons refund when instructor cancels a lot?

[Imogen24]

DS started driving in January. A package of lessons, pre-paid. That's come to an end, so he's bought another package, including the test fee.

Well and good, but the instructor cancels a lot (variety of reasons), often at the very last minute. And he ignores quite a few of DS's texts asking for confirmation about the next scheduled lesson/requests for a lesson to make up. Today, the teacher was rather short with him and told him to stop 'stressing'.

DS wants to take his test within a few weeks as he's leaving the area but, if the instructor kept to the schedule, this would be possible.

I wish that DS, knowing the cancellation history, hadn't signed up to another batch (including test fee) but he did and since then, further cancellations.

How likely is it, do you think, that the instructor (sole operator) would refund? DS has his sights set on an intensive course or at least regular lessons but, as I say, everything would have been OK if the lessons had taken place/fewer had been cancelled. Thanks for any advice and thoughts.

Was it a package of 10 lessons for a certain price? If so, how many of those have been cancelled?

I agree that it wasn’t a good idea to sign up for more, knowing the instructor’s unreliability, but I would check how many have been missed and either ask for a refund of those lessons, or add them to the package already purchased.

Thanks! Of the initial 11, about 4 were cancelled (car failure/accident/children's football match etc). They were made up in the sense that they eventually took place but sometimes with substantial gaps between.

Of the new package, one so far as been cancelled and DS today was told that his mid week lesson might not now take place because the day before, the instructor is going to be very busy.

What this all means is that it's taking much longer to get anywhere than originally envisaged and that DS is never sure whether or not the next sheduled lesson is going to go ahead.

So he did have all of the original 11, and so far out of the new ones, one has taken place and one might be rescheduled?

Is DS being a bit meek and saying that rescheduling is fine, while silently fuming? I did that as a teen!

Otherwise, I think you'd need the T&Cs of the packages. Do they have any mention of timescales (ie did he buy 11 lessons, or 11 weekly lessons?). Did DS mention in writing that he'd like the 11 new lessons to take place at a rate of X per week, or to take his test by X date? That might be useful for suggesting the instructor agreed to a schedule...

It might be better to get some lessons in new area anyway so he can used to the roads with a qualified instructor.

Thank you. No mention of timescales though DS did tell the instructor that for work (and now moving) reasons he needed to take a test by the end of June.

Some lessons, even after he passes (if he does first time) in the new area is a very good idea.