Effective date: 17 August 2026
These Terms and Conditions apply to driving lessons, test preparation, drive test packages and related services provided by Melbourne Learners Academy, referred to in these Terms as “MLA”, “we”, “us” or “our”.
“Student” means the person receiving driving instruction.
“Customer” means the adult who makes the booking or payment. The Customer and Student may be the same person.
“Lesson” includes a driving lesson, assessment, test preparation session or drive test package unless stated otherwise.
1.1 The Customer must read and accept these Terms before a booking is confirmed.
1.2 By accepting these Terms through MLA’s booking system, the Customer confirms that they:
• Are at least 18 years old;
• Are making the booking for themselves or have authority to make it for the Student; and
• Agree to be bound by these Terms.
1.3 Where the Student is under 18, the Customer must be the Student’s parent, legal guardian or another adult authorised to make the booking. The Customer accepts these Terms for themselves and acknowledges that the Student is also expected to comply with all relevant safety and conduct requirements.
1.4 Where a lesson is booked through an organisation, government program, community program or agency under a separate written agreement, that agreement will apply to the extent of any inconsistency with these Terms.
2.1 Booking confirmation
Lessons are booked through MLA’s online booking system, currently Acuity Scheduling.
A booking is confirmed only when:
• The booking appears as confirmed in the booking system; and
• Any required payment has been received.
2.2 Reminders
MLA may send a reminder before a lesson as a courtesy. The Customer and Student remain responsible for remembering the booking.
Not receiving a reminder does not remove the Customer’s responsibility to attend or provide the required cancellation notice.
2.3 Prices and payment
The price payable is the price displayed or agreed when the booking is made.
Confirmed and fully paid bookings will not be affected by a later price increase unless the Customer agrees to a change.
2.4 Refunds and prepaid packages
A completed lesson is not refundable solely because the Customer or Student changes their mind or is dissatisfied with the outcome of a drive test.
A Customer may request cancellation of an unused prepaid lesson package. Any refund will be calculated by deducting:
• Lessons already provided, recalculated at the standard single-lesson price displayed when the package was purchased;
• Any valid late cancellation or non-attendance fees; and
• Any non-refundable third-party transaction costs actually incurred by MLA, where permitted by law.
Any remaining balance will be refunded using the original payment method unless otherwise agreed.
No deduction will be made where a full refund is required under the Australian Consumer Law.
2.5 Cancelling or rescheduling with at least 24 hours’ notice
A lesson may be cancelled or rescheduled without a cancellation fee when MLA receives at least 24 hours’ notice.
Any payment already made may be retained as a credit for a future lesson or dealt with under clause 2.4 where the Customer is cancelling a prepaid package.
2.6 Cancelling or rescheduling with less than 24 hours’ notice
When less than 24 hours’ notice is provided, or the Student does not attend, MLA may charge a cancellation fee of up to the full lesson price.
This fee reflects the instructor and vehicle time reserved for the Student and the difficulty of filling an appointment at short notice.
If MLA fills the cancelled appointment, the cancellation fee will be reduced to any reasonable costs actually incurred.
MLA may, acting reasonably, waive or reduce the cancellation fee in a genuine emergency. Reasonable supporting information may be requested.
2.7 Student lateness
Lessons begin and end at the scheduled times.
If the Student is late, the lesson will ordinarily finish at the original scheduled finishing time. MLA is not required to refund or replace time lost because of the Student’s lateness.
The Student should contact the Instructor as soon as possible if they expect to be late. Where circumstances are genuinely outside the Student’s control, MLA may provide additional time or a credit where reasonably possible.
2.8 Instructor lateness
If the Instructor is late, MLA will provide the full scheduled lesson duration where reasonably possible.
If this is not possible, the Customer will receive a proportional credit or refund for any lesson time not provided.
2.9 Cancellation by MLA
MLA may need to cancel or reschedule a lesson because of illness, vehicle breakdown, mechanical problems, unsafe road or weather conditions, licensing authority delays or other circumstances beyond MLA’s reasonable control.
If MLA cancels a lesson, the Customer may choose to:
• Reschedule the lesson;
• Retain the payment as a credit; or
• Receive a refund for the lesson or service not provided.
No cancellation fee will apply.
3.1 Licence or learner permit
The Student must hold and carry a current learner permit, driver licence or other authority that legally allows them to drive the relevant vehicle.
The Student must tell MLA about any licence conditions or restrictions that may affect the lesson and must comply with those conditions, including any requirement to wear corrective lenses.
If the Student cannot legally drive because they do not have the required permit, licence or corrective lenses, the lesson may be unable to proceed and may be treated as a late cancellation.
3.2 Accurate information
The Customer and Student must provide accurate information relevant to the booking, the Student’s driving experience and their legal ability to drive.
3.3 Fitness to drive
The Student must be physically and mentally fit to drive safely.
The Student must inform the Instructor about any illness, injury, fatigue, medical condition or medication that may affect their ability to drive safely or legally.
The Instructor may, acting reasonably, refuse to begin or continue a lesson if they believe the Student is not fit to drive safely.
3.4 Alcohol and drugs
MLA has a zero-alcohol and zero-illicit-drug safety policy.
Both the Instructor and Student must have a blood alcohol concentration of 0.00 and must not be impaired by alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription medication or any other substance that affects safe driving.
If the Instructor reasonably believes the Student may be affected by alcohol, drugs or medication, the lesson may be cancelled or ended immediately. The late cancellation policy may apply, subject to the Australian Consumer Law.
3.5 Conduct and safety instructions
The Student must:
• Follow the Instructor’s lawful and reasonable directions;
• Operate the vehicle only as instructed;
• Comply with Victorian road laws;
• Behave responsibly and carefully; and
• Treat the Instructor and other people respectfully.
Threatening, abusive, discriminatory, harassing, deliberately dangerous or unlawful conduct will not be accepted.
3.6 Ending a lesson for safety reasons
The Instructor may stop or end a lesson where the Student:
• Repeatedly ignores safety instructions;
• Drives in a deliberately dangerous, reckless or unlawful manner;
• Is not legally or medically fit to drive;
• Becomes abusive or threatening; or
• Creates an unreasonable risk to any person or property.
Where a lesson is ended because of the Student’s conduct, fitness or failure to meet legal requirements, MLA may retain payment for the time reserved, subject to these Terms and the Australian Consumer Law.
4.1 Instructor qualifications
Every MLA Instructor providing paid driving instruction must hold:
• A current Victorian Driving Instructor Authority;
• A current full Victorian driver licence; and
• A current employee Working with Children Check where required.
Instructors must also complete any police, traffic-history, medical and suitability checks required for their authority or role.
4.2 MLA vehicles
Where an MLA vehicle is booked, MLA will provide a vehicle that is:
• Registered;
• Roadworthy;
• Appropriately insured for paid driving instruction; and
• Fitted with appropriate instructional controls where required.
4.3 Professional instruction
MLA will provide driving instruction with due care and skill and take reasonable steps to provide a safe and supportive learning environment.
4.4 Student progress
Learning progress varies between students. MLA does not guarantee that a Student will become test-ready within a particular number of lessons.
If the Instructor believes the Student is not ready to attempt a drive test, the Instructor will explain the concerns and recommend an appropriate training plan. The Student is not required to purchase additional lessons.
4.5 No guarantee of passing
MLA cannot guarantee that a Student will pass their drive test.
MLA will prepare the Student as effectively as reasonably possible, but the test result depends on the Student’s performance, traffic conditions, the testing officer’s assessment and other circumstances on the day.
A failed test does not, by itself, entitle the Customer or Student to a refund where MLA has provided the agreed services with due care and skill.
5.1 Driving is a potentially dangerous activity. Other road users, road conditions and unexpected events may cause or contribute to an accident.
5.2 The Instructor may take any action reasonably necessary to protect the Student, Instructor, vehicle, other road users or property.
This may include:
• Using the instructor pedals;
• Taking control of the steering wheel;
• Operating the gears, signals or other vehicle controls;
• Directing the Student to stop;
• Physically intervening where necessary; or
• Ending the lesson.
5.3 The Student acknowledges that a necessary safety intervention may involve the Instructor reaching across the Student or making incidental physical contact while taking control of the vehicle.
Any intervention will be limited to what the Instructor reasonably considers necessary for safety.
6.1 Vehicle camera systems
MLA vehicles may use front, rear and cabin-facing cameras, including audio recording inside the vehicle.
Recordings form part of MLA’s safety procedures and may help protect Students, passengers and instructors.
6.2 Notice and agreement
Students are advised about vehicle recording through these Terms and Conditions and when entering the vehicle.
If a Student or passenger does not agree to being recorded, MLA may be unable to proceed with the lesson.
6.3 Use and disclosure of recordings
Recordings may be accessed or disclosed only where reasonably necessary for:
• Safety and incident investigation;
• An insurance claim;
• Legal proceedings;
• Responding to a complaint;
• Disclosure to police, VicRoads, Safe Transport Victoria or another authority where required or authorised by law; or
• Internal professional development.
Footage used for internal professional development will be de-identified where reasonably possible.
6.4 Marketing and social media
Identifiable images, recordings or audio of a Student will not be used for advertising, social media, testimonials or other promotional purposes without separate written consent from the Student and, where the Student is under 18, their parent or legal guardian.
6.5 Storage and retention
Recordings are automatically overwritten during the normal operation of the camera system unless they need to be retained for a safety incident, accident, complaint, insurance claim, investigation or legal proceeding.
Any recording retained for one of these purposes will be kept only for as long as reasonably necessary or as required by an insurer or law.
7.1 Accident procedure
If an accident or incident occurs, the Student and Customer must reasonably cooperate with MLA, the insurer, police and any relevant authority.
The Student must provide accurate information about the incident and must not make an admission or settlement on MLA’s behalf without authorisation.
7.2 Student responsibility for loss or damage
The Student or adult Customer may be responsible for reasonable and substantiated loss or damage to the extent that it was caused by the Student’s:
• Negligent driving;
• Reckless or deliberately dangerous conduct;
• Unlawful conduct;
• Deliberate failure to follow a clear safety instruction; or
• Intentional damage.
Responsibility will be determined using the available evidence and, where applicable, the insurer’s assessment. MLA will not make a final determination of fault based solely on its own opinion.
7.3 Circumstances where the Student is not responsible
The Student and Customer will not be responsible to the extent that the loss or damage was caused or contributed to by:
• MLA or the Instructor’s negligence or breach;
• A mechanical failure or vehicle defect;
• Another road user;
• An unavoidable event outside the Student’s reasonable control; or
• Any other matter for which the Student is not legally responsible.
7.4 Insurance excess
Where an insurance claim is treated as an at-fault claim arising from the Student’s driving, the Customer may be required to reimburse MLA for the actual insurance excess charged for the claim, up to the amount disclosed before the lesson.
The current maximum applicable insurance excess is $1,700.
Before requesting payment, MLA will provide reasonable evidence of:
• The accident or damage;
• The insurer’s assessment, where available; and
• The actual excess charged.
Any amount properly payable must be paid within 14 days of MLA providing a written request and supporting information, unless another arrangement is agreed.
7.5 Not-at-fault claims and recovered excess
No excess will be payable where the insurer accepts the claim as not at fault and does not charge MLA an excess.
If the Customer pays an excess that MLA subsequently recovers, has waived or receives back from the insurer or another party, MLA will promptly refund the corresponding amount to the Customer.
7.6 Conduct not covered by insurance
Where an insurer refuses or reduces cover because of the Student’s deliberate, reckless or unlawful conduct, the Student or Customer may be responsible for the reasonable and substantiated loss exceeding the insurance excess, but only to the extent that the loss was directly caused by that conduct.
8.1 Student responsibilities
Unless expressly included in the package description, the Student is responsible for:
• Booking the drive test;
• Confirming the test date, time and location;
• Meeting all VicRoads eligibility requirements;
• Completing any required tests or logbook requirements;
• Bringing the required identification, permit and documents; and
• Paying VicRoads fees.
8.2 Test package duration
A drive test package covers the duration and services described when the package is booked.
Where a test or appointment exceeds the booked duration because of VicRoads delays or other circumstances outside MLA’s control, additional instructor or vehicle time may be charged at the rate disclosed before that additional time begins. No additional charge will be imposed without the Customer’s agreement.
8.3 Use of an MLA vehicle
Use of an MLA vehicle for a drive test is subject to the Instructor being reasonably satisfied that:
• The Student can operate the vehicle safely;
• The Student meets the relevant legal and VicRoads requirements; and
• Presenting the vehicle for the test would not create an unreasonable safety risk.
The Instructor may refuse to provide the vehicle where there are reasonable safety or legal grounds. The Instructor will explain those grounds to the Student.
Services already provided and instructor or vehicle time already reserved are not automatically refundable. Any unused portion will be handled fairly under these Terms and the Australian Consumer Law.
8.4 Student lateness or missing requirements
If the drive test cannot proceed because the Student is late, does not attend, is not eligible, or does not bring the required documents, the cancellation provisions in these Terms may apply.
MLA is not responsible for VicRoads fees lost because of the Student’s lateness, ineligibility or failure to bring required documents.
8.5 VicRoads cancellation or delay
MLA does not control VicRoads testing officers, appointment availability, delays or cancellations.
If VicRoads cancels or materially delays a test, MLA will work reasonably with the Customer to reschedule the MLA services. Any credit or refund will take account of services already provided, instructor and vehicle time already used, and the Australian Consumer Law.
9.1 Australian Consumer Law
MLA’s services come with consumer guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law.
Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts or modifies:
• A consumer guarantee;
• MLA’s obligation to provide services with due care and skill;
• Liability for MLA or an Instructor’s negligence;
• Any statutory right or remedy; or
• Any other liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited.
9.2 Events outside MLA’s control
MLA is not responsible for loss caused solely by another road user, VicRoads, severe weather, road closure or another event outside MLA’s reasonable control where MLA has provided the services with due care and skill and acted reasonably in the circumstances.
9.3 Risk acknowledgement
The Student acknowledges that learning to drive involves risks that cannot be completely eliminated.
This acknowledgement does not release MLA from its legal responsibilities or remove any rights available to the Customer or Student under law.
10.1 Customers and Students are encouraged to contact MLA promptly if they have a concern about a lesson, Instructor, payment, recording, accident or these Terms.
MLA will review the concern and attempt to resolve it fairly and within a reasonable time.
10.2 Nothing in these Terms prevents the Customer or Student from contacting Consumer Affairs Victoria, Safe Transport Victoria, VicRoads, their insurer, a legal adviser or another relevant authority.
11.1 MLA may update these Terms from time to time.
Updated Terms will apply to bookings made on or after the stated effective date.
11.2 A material change will not apply retrospectively to an existing confirmed booking or prepaid package without the Customer’s agreement unless the change is required by law.
No update will limit any right available under the Australian Consumer Law.
12.1 If any part of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply.
12.2 These Terms are governed by the laws of Victoria, Australia.
12.3 Any special arrangement agreed in writing between MLA and the Customer will apply in addition to these Terms. If there is an inconsistency, the written special arrangement will apply to the extent of that inconsistency.
Calm, practical driving lessons designed around your confidence, experience and goals.
Based in Vermont and teaching throughout Ringwood, Mitcham and Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Lessons are available seven days a week, including early mornings and evenings.
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