Driving lesson cancellation & no-show policy

A driving instructor's time is the product, and an empty slot at short notice usually cannot be refilled. Without a stated policy, every late cancellation and no-show is simply lost income, and pupils have no reason to treat your diary as firm. A clear policy, agreed before the first lesson, changes the behaviour: it gives pupils a fair notice window, sets out what happens if they miss it, and gives you a consistent, non-awkward rule to point to. The goal is not to punish learners, it is to protect your income and keep your diary reliable.

Copy this, adjust the notice period and fees to suit you, and share it with every new pupil before their first lesson. This is a general template, not legal advice.

Cancellation & no-show policy

Notice. Please give at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule a lesson. With this notice there is no charge and we will happily find you another time.

Late cancellation. Lessons cancelled with less than 48 hours' notice are charged at the full lesson fee, as the time cannot usually be rebooked.

No-show. If you are not at the agreed pick-up point within 10 minutes of the start time and I cannot reach you, the lesson is treated as a no-show and charged at the full lesson fee.

Block bookings. A late cancellation or no-show draws one lesson from your remaining block, exactly as if the lesson had taken place.

Rescheduling. Moving a lesson with at least 48 hours' notice is always free, please just let me know as early as you can.

Genuine emergencies. Life happens. If something serious comes up, get in touch and we will sort it out fairly.

A policy only works if pupils see it before they need it and you apply it consistently. Share it at sign-up, restate it in your booking confirmation, and send a reminder before each lesson so no-one can say they did not know. Then apply it the same way for everyone, that consistency is what makes it fair rather than personal. Automatic reminders alone remove a large share of no-shows; a clear fee for the rest does the remainder. If a genuine emergency comes up, waive it, goodwill costs little and keeps the relationship strong.