What are premium lessons?
Our Premium lessons fall into 2 categories. Out of hours and Advanced Training
Lessons starting before 0800 or after 1600, Monday to Friday are classed as out of normal hours. These times are in line with the current DVSA test slots. The uplift is inline with the DVSA test fee uplift (£62 weekday to £75 Saturday - 20%)
Out of hours lessons
Due to current restrictions and hygiene protocols all lessons outside "office hours are subject to a 20% uplift
To be fair to everyone, this uplift applies to ALL out of hours appointments, regardless of the individuals reason or need. (The exception being when the appointment incorporates the morning (0930-1130) or afternoon (1330-1530) slot. So 1330 to 1730 (4 hours) does not require an extra hygiene slot, and is therefore charged at standard rate)
Advanced Training
This would be driver training provided to a full licence holder and might such topics as cover town driving, country roads, DC's and motorways, parking, lane procedures. awareness and planning but can be bespoke to your needs
We have the option of issuing a gift voucher for this type of lesson, in case you need to present it to a family member in a "delicate" manner
Out of hours lessons
Some FAQ's to help you understand why they are more expensive
Why must I pay a 20% uplift just because I need an out of hours driving lesson
Firstly, to be fair to everyone, this uplift applies to ALL out of hours appointments, regardless of the reason or need. (The exception being when the appointment incorporates the morning (0930-1130) or afternoon (1330-1530) slot. So 1330 to 1730 (4 hours) does not require an extra hygiene slot, and is therefore charged at standard rate)
We schedule only 10 x 2hr lessons per week, every one of which is followed by a 90 minute hygiene schedule to minimise the risk of any possible cross-contamination to our clients. As a business, we absorb the cost and time constraints this has on our availability to schedule lessons
It is only fair and reasonable that any additional lessons scheduled outside of normal working hours can support the additional hygiene costs that they incur
The calculation is quite simple. The current minimum wage is £8.72p per hour and the hygiene routine takes one 1½ hours therefore the additional charge is rounded down to £12 or £6 per hour (20%)
Another way of looking at it, is £12 to put the car back into the same hygienic state it was in at the start of your lesson. I hope that clarifies things
Is there any other reason the charge may be waived?
Yes. If you have multiple appointments in one week where one appointment is during normal working hours, the surcharge MAY be reduced by 50%. Should the normal hours appointment be cancelled for any reason, the out of hours appointment will definitely be charged at the higher rate. ALL weekend out of hours appointments are charged at the premium rate regardless
Why is it charged in the first place?
Our entire weekly schedule is based on 50% lesson slots with the remaining time being devoted to our comprehensive hygiene protocols. After each lesson, the car returns to base for a thorough cleaning regime so that each of our pupils can expect the car to be presented with same level of cleanliness
So on completion of the afternoon lesson, the car is prepared for the following morning, ending around 1730 hrs. If an evening lesson is booked from 1800 to 2000 then another cleaning routine is required meaning the actual end of the day is 2200, or the following day would have to start at 0700 to allow the extra hygiene procedure
This means that every out of hours appointment takes up 4 hours of the instructors time or someone else needs to be paid to conduct the hygiene routine
The calculation is quite simple. The current minimum wage is £8.72p per hour and the hygiene routine takes one 1½ hours therefore the additional charge is rounded down to £12 or £6 per hour (20%)
Another way of looking at it, is £12 to put the car back into the same hygienic state it was in at the start of your lesson. I hope that clarifies things
The charge can be easily avoided by making yourself available for one of our regular lesson appointment slots