LPOD Academy FAQs

If you are unsure to which course you will need, you can give us a call so that we can help you decide. You can read the course description and advice notes, or alternatively drop us an email here, and we shall get back to you.

All of our courses include the practical test. We will book the test on your behalf to coincide with your course dates. When you book your course, you can state your preferred test centre. You will also be able to give another two options. Please NOTE: If you wish to just enter a training course for other reasons for passing a driving test, please email us beforehand. We can discuss your course cost, as the system will charge you for a fee.

No. You do not need to have already passed your theory prior to booking your course. However- it is much better if you have already passed this, as this makes arranging your practical test date much easier as we will have more time to plan it to coincide with your course week. Otherwise, we can book your theory to be taken on the monday or the tuesday on the week of your course.

Yes. You can book your theory test when you book your course. We will take care of the booking for you. On the booking form, you will be able to choose which theory test centre you prefer and the preferred date. You just tick the add theory test button on your booking.

Yes, but this is dependent on the following. It isn’t always possible to get a test on the friday of your course. There are many factors to consider when we book your practical test. These include: have you got your theory already, or will you be taking it on the week of your course? Local test centre waiting times, and the notice we have to book your course and practical test dates. The more time we have to plan your course and test booking, the better for you. In most cases, your test will be within 7 days of the last day of your training, if not on the last day itself. It is important to have your theory passed, otherwise we are not able to book your practical test.

Yes. However- this is dependent on availability in your area. We will endeavour to find your the perfect instructor for your course, however- automatic tuition vehicles are not as common as manual cars. If we can’t find an instructor in your local area, we will try a little further a field.

When you book your chosen course online, you are paying a deposit and practical/theory test fees. This guarantees your course booking. Once payment has been received, we will allocate you your trainer. On acceptance of the course, the remaining balance is payable to the instructor at the start of the first lesson. Cash, cheque, paypal and bank transfer are acceptable forms of payment. If in the unlikely event we can’t allocate you an instructor, you will receive a full refund within 24 hours via bank transfer on confirmation we can’t fulfil your course booking. Your deposit also allows you access to our online training school and the extras within the course description.

Our online virtual learning platform and additional training tools to help you as much as possible to gain a better understanding and more knowledge to help you during your on-road training. It isn’t to replace but to enhance your driver experience.

We will always be able to get you a test date. We use a third party company that hunts down late cancellation tests. A cancellation checker service will be set-up and your trainer will be notified upon cancellations via mobile phone. However- sometimes, things don’t always go to plan. We will try our hardest to get you a test booking in the location of your choice. But, sometimes this maybe your second or third choice. You will still have training in your test location to get familiar with the test routes and road layouts.

If the test is cancelled by the test centre then it is up to you to re-arrange with your trainer. The DVSA will re-book your test, you will not lose your test fee. However- it is not the responsibility of the LPOD Academy. You will need to liase with your trainer if there is any hours owing, or to be refunded. If you have lost time you are able to get reimbursed of up to 2 hours by the test centre. Ask them for the correct forms if this does happen.

If for some reason the trainer doesn’t turn up or is unable to do the course then your deposit will be refunded if we are unable to get you another trainer. Sometimes things can go wrong, and vehicles, accidents and illness can disrupt courses and bookings. If this does happen to you- we firstly apologies in advance, but, secondly we will do whatever we can to accommodate your course and your test bookings.

Yes. When you pay the remaining balance to the trainer on the first lesson, you shall receive a receipt at the time of payment. Please do not make payment without getting a receipt. We urge you to pay by bank transfer and to get a receipt.

In this unlikely event, your trainer will reimburse you for the hours you have not completed. LPOD Academy can’t be held responsible for this and it is strictly to do with yourself and the trainer in question. When we recruit trainers, we ensure stringent checks are taken and only use trainers who consistently provide a good customer service to our clients.

Your deposit is only refundable if we are not able to allocate you a trainer for your course, or if your trainer doesn’t turn up. However- we are very sure of our success and system and firmly believe that your course will be subject to no problems. In the eventuality, that you don’t complete the course due to you cancelling it-we will honour the equivalent refund of the deposit dependent on the hours you have taken. However- we are only likely to refund on medical grounds. Work, bereavement or other commitments would not warrant a refund due to your unforeseen circumstances. A sick note will be needed to be refunded the deposit. The monies to the instructor are strictly between trainer and pupil. However- in the interest of the trainer, no refund is to be given, unless 14 days notice has been given. As your trainer is dedicating a week to your training- notice is needed so that the instructor in question can arrange other work to continue earning his/her wage. All trainers are self-employed.

We strongly urge you to make sure you are committed to the course. Once the course is booked and agreed, you have to cancel the booking with 14 days notice of the start of the course/or within 14 days of the course booking, whichever comes sooner. If less time is given, then you will be subject to 50% of the final course cost. If 7 days or less notice is given, you will need to pay the full remaining balance to the trainer and your deposit (excluding test fees) will be forfeited. For example: Course 1: booked for three weeks time. You need to cancel the booking within 7 days of your booking date. This would be 14 days prior to the start of the course. You will receive a full refund of your deposit and test fees. Course 2: Booked for three months time (12 weeks). You need to cancel your booking 10 weeks prior to the course starting. (14 days after the initial course booking) Otherwise you will be subject to a 50 % final course fee charge. A full refund of the deposit and course fees will be given if the correct notice has been given. Course 3: Booked for 2 days time. You will not be able to cancel this course once the course has been confirmed by ourselves. You will be charged the full course fee in the event you cancelled the course. Please note: courses booked with less than 14 days notice are not refundable. Once confirmed, you are subject to full course payment on the day of the course to the trainer. If you need to cancel you will be charged 50% full course fee, if more than 7 days notice has been given, or 100% course fee will be charged by the trainer if 7 days or less has been given

If you are not happy with your trainer it is important you give us a call straight away. Most problems can be sorted out with communication. If in the event the trainer hasn’t adhered to the DVSAs code of conduct then we shall support you in getting refunded by your trainer. However- this can be hard to prove. It is important to keep all records of communication in the eventuality of disputes. If in doubt please seek legal advice.

If you don’t manage to pass your theory test. Your course will still continue as arranged. However- your practical test date will have to be post-poned until you have passed your theory test. You will need to arrange with your trainer any additional hours that may be needed, or any hours of your course to be reserved. This is between pupil and trainer and is not the responsibility of LPOD Academy.

Of course you can. The hourly rate will be payable to your trainer. This is negotiated between the two of you. However a standard lesson cost is approximately £27 per hour.

It is between pupil and trainer to decide whether you need all of your course hours. However- with all training courses, especially driving. Having more training is always more beneficial to you. You could discuss this with your trainer and perhaps arrange to to a Pass Plus course to accommodate any extra hours you feel you don’e need. This is at the discretion of the trainer.

If the car breaks down, then it is between trainer and learner to negotiate plans moving forward. LPOD Academy can’t be held responsible for this eventuality. However- your course will go ahead, or your hours refunded by the trainer.

Courses typically start on a monday. However this can be negotiated with the trainer, if you want to start on a tuesday for example. The hours are typically 9-2pm. Yet again this is negotiable with trainer and pupil.

Your instructor will arrange short breaks during the day. Typically 15 minutes every 2.5 hours.

It is advisable to bring a packed lunch with you on your course. Or if you prefer let your trainer know that you would like to buy a sandwich. This way they can arrange where to stop.

If you fail your test then you can re-book your test and choose one of the courses to go with your course booking. We prefer for you to book through the website as we can ensure your trainer and test bookings availability. If you negotiate with your trainer- we are not responsible for your test bookings.

All of our instructors are fully qualified Approved Driving Instructors (ADI). They are monitored and regulated by the DVSA. As part of their registration to the ADI register, they have to pass an enhanced CRB check and on first application to the register have to have references by professional persons. Some of our instructors, but not all, have lots of years experience, and all of them already work independently as ADIs on a self-employed basis. They chose to work extra hours dependent on their own personal circumstances. All of our trainers have passed our own in-house checks so that we know we are providing you with properly qualified and responsible trainers. All of our trainers abide by our code of conduct and that of the DVSA.A copy can be found here. All training vehicles will be properly insured, shall be presented neat and tidy, contain the proper mirrors, and legal notifications that are stipulated by the DVSA. All of our trainers vehicles will have dual controls fitted and all of our ADIs have at least 6 months as qualified ADI status. All vehicles are fit for road tuition and are road worthy. If you have any concerns you should contact us as soon as possible.

All courses need to be booked through the website. When you choose your course, you will be directed to a form to fill out. This form will take all of your details to enable us to correctly book your tests. It is a requirement to provide to modes of contact. One mobile and one landline. You may provide a works number if you don’t have a landline at home. Once you have filled in the forms, you will be directed to the payment page where you will need to pay the stipulated deposit, which includes your test booking fees and charges. All deposits are subject to VAT, whereas the remaining course cost is not subject to VAT. On completion of payment, you shall receive an email confirming your booking. Please note: all bookings are only provisional. Once we have fulfilled our obligation to you and the trainer has confirmed the booking, we shall notify you by email start date and time. Your trainer will be in contact with you within 48 hours to introduce themselves and to answer any questions you may have. When you make payment for your course booking, you will need to confirm that you have read our terms and conditions for booking to go ahead. Otherwise the booking will be aborted. You can’t make a booking by phone or email alone. Please contact us here if you can’t find the answer to your question