Important Information

These are our Terms and Conditions and things you need to know before attending a course

IMPORTANT PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE.

When attending a motorcycle/moped training course please remember the following:

• If you wear glasses or contact lenses, please remember to bring them. You must be able to read a car number plate at 20.5 metres.
• If you are using your own motorcycle/moped other than the one provided by Lightning Motorcycle Training please ensure that you have a current insurance certificate, a valid MoT certificate, full sized L plates front and rear, valid road fund licence (tax disc) and the vehicle is road legal and mechanically sound. If you are taking a motorcycle test then it must have a MPH speedo (no stickers or overlays) and is suitable for the test you wish to take (A1, A2 or DAS.). In short, the responsibility for ensuring that your motorcycle is suitable and eligible for Module 1 & 2 Motorcycle Tests is yours.
• Please wear suitable clothing; gloves, long trousers (must be at least denim jeans), a strong and warm jacket and boots. A limited supply of waterproofs and gloves are available to borrow. If you are not properly dressed, we can’t train you.
• All balances are due on or before the first day of training.
• You must produce the following for all CBT courses; a valid UK full or provisional licence. If the licence is an old paper licence, then please bring photo ID (a current passport is best). If you do not bring your licence you will be turned away and will lose all your training fees – there are no exceptions. Foreign or EU licences are not acceptable or valid for training or testing.
• For all post CBT courses and the Theory Test and Module 1 & 2 Motorcycle Tests you must bring your licence, CBT certificate (DL196), Theory test pass certificate, and photographic ID (which must be a passport or a photo card driving licence). The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will not accept anything other than an original, complete and legible UK licence – again there are no exceptions to this.
• Please bring your confirmation letter/email.
• For CBT courses we will have sent you important information about the course content, you must read this as you will be asked questions relating to it.
• For all courses (except CBT) we must have details of your Driver Number at least one week before the start of the course. We cannot organise your Theory Test or Module 1 & 2 Motorcycle Test without it and you will be liable for the fees if we are late notifying the DVSA with your details.
• Please arrive in plenty of time to allow the course to start at the correct time. If you are later than 09.00am the course will start without you, and in the case of the CBT you will have lost you course fees.
• If you are taking a practical test, please ensure that your Driving Licence has your current address. If you have recently moved address, please write your new address details onto the licence. This is because your licence will be retained by the DVSA when you have passed your test.
• Please bring signed Terms and Conditions (see below); the course cannot start unless we have this document signed. 16 and 17-year olds must have a parent or guardian sign the Terms and Conditions or they will be refused training.

Lightning Motorcycle Training will endeavour to make your training as safe and enjoyable as possible. However, there is always a small element of risk in connection with the use of any motor vehicle, which cannot be eliminated. Unlike a car, your instructor can have no direct control over your vehicle and ultimately it is your responsibility to ride safely. With this in mind you must comply with the following:

• Ensure that you are, and remain, fit to train. Only you know your physical and mental condition.
• You must not be over tired, injured, or suffering from any ailment, which could affect your riding.
• You must not have taken any drugs, which may affect your ability to ride.
• You must inform your instructor if there are any problems in this respect or if any occur during the day.
• You must ensure that you have adequate breaks, drinks and food and that you are properly clothed.
• Only you will know if you are fit to continue.

Do not feel pressured into anything if you are not confident. If any problems occur whilst on the road, pull over in a safe place as soon as possible. If you have any problems or concerns of any kind during training, you must bring them to the attention of your instructor. All lessons are undertaken at the trainee’s own risk.

Should you require any further advice or help please do not hesitate to give us a call. All courses are booked based on the information that you have given us; responsibility for ensuring that these details (including your licence entitlements) are correct are yours – this includes how much previous riding experience you claim to have. Full terms and conditions are available upon request.

Terms and Conditions

These terms should be read and construed as forming an agreement between Lightning Motorcycle Training (the trading name for RD Education Ltd), here after referred to as “Lightning”, and the student or customer here after referred to as “the student”. For the purposes of this contract motorcycle training is deemed to be a leisure activity.

1. All the student’s fees shall be paid in advance of each course or lesson. No cheques are accepted on the first day of training. All payments must be made to “Lightning Motorcycle Training”.

2. All courses have been booked based on the information supplied by the student to Lightning. The responsibility for ensuring that these details are correct (including licence entitlements) belongs to the student.

3. In the event of a mechanical breakdown or any other cause beyond the control of Lightning, Lightning reserves the right to re-arrange or rebook any course at the earliest convenient time to the student and to Lightning.

4. Any course affected by Covid-19 (Coronavirus) will not be eligible for a refund and will be re-booked at the earliest convenience of the student and Lightning subject to availability and UK government policy and guidelines.

5. The student/instructor ratio for each course will be at the discretion of Lightning, and Lightning will determine the aptitude of the student for each course. The student will be deemed to be on an A1 Licence course until the student has shown sufficient aptitude to progress onto the Restricted A2 or Direct Access Scheme (DAS). This does not affect the description of how the course was sold.

6. It is a condition of participating in any course that the student:
(a) Is duly licensed to ride a motorcycle/moped on the public highway in the United Kingdom; the student must have a UK photo card licence and is responsible for ensuring that it has the correct provisional entitlement, and any endorsements are disclosed to Lightning. No licence means the student cannot attend the course, it is a Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) regulation, and the course fees will be forfeit. EU or foreign licences are not accepted.
(b) Uses a moped/motorcycle, which, if not provided by Lightning, is in good and sound mechanical order, has valid insurance cover and is taxed and that the machine is suitable for the EU 3^rd Driving Licence Directive minimum test vehicle (if applicable). And wears suitable, protective clothing, including, in particular, a safety helmet that complies with UK legal requirements, as well as sturdy boots and jeans.
(c) Be able to read a car number plate over a distance of 20.5 metres.
(d) Wear suitable clothing for the weather conditions and glasses/contact lens to comply with 6(c).

7. The student must, before commencing the course, make available for inspection by Lighting; the student’s complete current (UK) Provisional/Full Driving Licence. If using the student’s own moped/motorcycle this must be available for inspection along with the student’s moped/motorcycle insurance policy, MOT test certificate (if required), road fund licence (tax) (these last two can be done online) and safety helmet.

8. All mopeds/motorcycles are hired to the student by Lightning. Damage to a moped/motorcycle caused by the student under £50.00 then parts and labour are not charged. The student must pay for any damage more than £50.00, before further training can continue, to Lightning Motorcycle Training. Parts are charged at retail price inc. V.A.T. Labour is charged at £46.00 per hour.

9. If the student cancels the course that the student is booked on, then:
(a)  If the student has given written notice of cancellation to Lightning not less than 12 clear working days prior to the date the course is due to start the student will be entitled to a full refund of fees paid (less administration charge see 9(e)) if the course is filled and completed by another student: but if the course is not filled and completed by another student, the student will only be entitled to a refund of fees paid, less a cancellation fee equal to the cost of the moped/motorcycle hire and to 50% of the cost of the Instructors wages.
(b)  If the student has not given 12 clear working days written notice of cancellation (from the first day or part of the course), then no refund will be due and all fees will be forfeit.
(c)  Any courses booked within 12 days of the course date will not be eligible for a refund.
(d)  If the student enters into an agreement for a full licence course (by booking such a course) and has started training (i.e. CBT or theory test) no refund will be given should the student wish to cancel the remainder of the course.
(e)  All refunds will be subject to a £50.00 Administration charge in addition to any other cancellation fees.

10. In the event the student is unable to attend any re-booking will be charged at 50% of the normal full price cost (except Theory Tests, Module 1 and Module 2 tests which will be charged at full price. There are no exceptions, and we recommend taking out private insurance to cover any unforeseen events,

11. Guaranteed full licence training is only valid for 3 months from the first day of the original course date and does not include test fee or moped/motorcycle hire. Any training not taken and completed within 12 months of the payment date is void.

12. Courses, or payments for courses, are not transferable, unless by consent of Lightning. Gift Vouchers are non-refundable.

13. The student must arrive in plenty of time to allow for the course to start on time. Lateness could result in loss of training fees and will result in loss of fee for CBT courses. Failure to attend will result in loss of fees.

14. Lightning accepts no liability for any claim, loss, damage, or expense arising out of the acts or omissions of Lightning, its employees, or agents, unless those acts or omissions are caused by the negligence or wilful default of Lightning, its employees, or agents.

15. The student will be liable to reimburse Lightning against any claim, loss, damage, or expense incurred by Lightning because of a breach of any of these terms and conditions by the student (for example, in failing to maintain valid insurance cover), to the extent which such claim, loss, damage or expense results from such breach. Radios are not insured, making students liable for any damage to them.

16. Where the student has booked a Module 2 Motorcycle Test inside 3 working days of a Module 1 Motorcycle Test Lightning shall not be responsible for the loss of fee for the Module 2 Motorcycle Test if, for any reason, the Module 1 Motorcycle Test is not taken or passed.

17. Lightning will determine the aptitude of the student to undertake the training for the Module 1 Motorcycle Test. If Lightning decides the student is not safe, or at risk, the student will not undertake that part of the training. Lightning will not be responsible for any loss of training fees or motorcycle tests (Module 1 and 2) that this may incur. Equally if the student decides not to either train for or undertake the Module 1 Motorcycle Test Lightning will not be responsible for any loss of training or motorcycle test fee this may incur.

18. It is a Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) condition that all students must be able to understand English to a reasonable level. If the student cannot understand English, then Lightning reserves the right not to train the student and all fees will be lost.

19. These terms and conditions must be signed by the student before a course can start. Where the student is under 18 years of age the terms and conditions must be signed by a parent or guardian of the student.

Suitable Clothing

DVSA is reminding learner motorcyclists to wear suitable clothing when they take their Module 1 and 2 motorcycle tests. While most motorcycle trainers encourage their pupils to wear the best protective motorcycle gear that they can afford, some candidates aren’t following this advice. DVSA doesn’t want to restrict candidates to wearing the most expensive protective motorcycle clothing. However, DVSA’s examiners won’t ignore or condone riding a motorcycle or scooter while wearing unsuitable clothing. Tests won’t go ahead if you are inappropriately dressed. From 1 July 2011, examiners might tell you that your test won’t go ahead if you arrive inappropriately dressed. However, where possible, examiners will give you the chance to find suitable clothing within the time available. DVSA won’t pay out-of-pocket expenses if your test is cancelled because of inappropriate clothing.

Guide to suitable clothing

As a general guide the following is an indication of the minimum level of clothing acceptable:

• Motorcycle boots
• Sturdy footwear or boots that provide support and ankle protection
• Textile or leather motorcycle trousers
• Heavy denim trousers
• Heavy denim jacket with several layers underneath
• Textile or leather motorcycle jacket
• Motorcycle gloves

The following are examples of clothing that are not acceptable:

• Lightweight training shoes
• Canvas basketball trainers
• Any form of clothing with areas of exposed skin
• Shell suit or lightweight track suit
• Distressed ripped jeans
• Lightweight fleece or hoody
• No gloves or skiing gloves

In all cases it’s a legal requirement that riders wear an approved and correctly fastened motorcycle helmet,* with suitable eye protection (*an exception is made for members of the Sikh religion wearing a turban).

More advice and guidance

Clothing is one of the subjects covered in Element A of Compulsory Basic Training (CBT). Further advice and guidance for candidates on the right clothing to wear can be found:

In the official “DVSA guide to learning to ride”

In the official “DVSA guide to riding – the essential skills”

On the www.direct.gov.uk website

Sickness, Lateness or Bereavement

Further to the DVSA’s change of policy in June 2011 being ill, late, bereaved or delayed by traffic will no longer qualify a student for a free retest. We acknowledge that the DVSA policy is extremely onerous, but we are not in a position to influence it. Where we take candidates to test we will give adequate time to reach the test centre based on our experience of normally attending the test centre. We will do everything possible to get you to the test on time but if there is an unforeseeable accident/delay then unfortunately the cost of a re-test will fall on the student.

Guaranteed Tuition Policy

It is the policy of Lightning Motorcycle Training to ensure that we fulfil our duty of care.

As such we require that students do at least one session of training prior to one test session. For example, a student must do a Mod 1 Training Session before they can take a Mod 1 Test Session & Module 1 Test.

Should a student not pass a Module 1 or Module 2 Test then they can re-book another test session. However, this is limited to a period inside three months of the student’s last day of training. So, if the last day of training was the 1^st June, they would not be able to re-book another test session with taking a training session after the 31^st August.

This policy also applies to CBT training where the student can benefit from further training at a reduced day rate if they do not complete the CBT in one day. After three months the student will be required to re-take the entire CBT at the normal price.