Terms of Service

The terms and conditions for using the PassReady platform.

Last updated: 9 September 2026 · Version 2.2

1. Service description

PassReady is an online booking and management platform for UK driving instructors and their students, operated by StagHill Software Ltd (company number 16878671), registered in England, based in Sudbury, Suffolk.

The platform enables instructors to publish a booking page, accept online payments, manage lessons, track student progress, and handle business administration. Students can book and pay for lessons, view their progress, and manage their bookings.

PassReady is not a driving school. We do not employ, manage, or supervise driving instructors. Instructors are independent service providers who use PassReady as a booking and payment tool.

2. Account types

Instructor accounts

Instructors sign up directly and create their profile, set pricing, define availability, and connect a Stripe account to receive payments. Instructors must hold a valid ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) or PDI (Potential Driving Instructor) badge and be operating legally in the UK.

Student accounts

Student accounts are created during the booking process. When a student books a lesson with an instructor, an account is created using the details provided. Students can subsequently log in to manage bookings and view progress. Students must hold a valid provisional driving licence for all booked lessons.

Minimum age

You must be at least 13 years old to hold a PassReady account, in line with UK data protection law (UK GDPR, Article 8). Driving lessons themselves require a valid provisional licence. By creating an account, or by agreeing to these Terms when you sign up, you confirm that you meet this minimum age.

3. Distance selling and your cancellation rights

When you book a driving lesson through PassReady, the contract is formed online (at a distance). The Consumer Contracts (Information, Disclosure and Cancellation) Regulations 2013 (CCR 2013) apply to this transaction.

Exemption for time-specific services

Under Regulation 36(1)(b) of CCR 2013, the 14-day cooling-off period does not apply to contracts for the supply of services related to leisure activities where the contract provides for a specific date or period of performance.

Driving lessons booked through PassReady are booked for a specific date and time. By completing a booking, you acknowledge that:

• The lesson is booked for a specific date and time slot, as selected by you during the booking process
• This booking falls within the exemption under Regulation 36(1)(b) of CCR 2013
• You do not have a 14-day cooling-off period for this booking
• Your cancellation rights are governed by the instructor's cancellation policy, which is displayed to you before you pay (see section 8 below)

Pre-contract information

Before you complete a booking, the following information is provided to you in accordance with Schedule 2 of CCR 2013:

• The identity of the trader (the instructor's name and business name)
• The main characteristics of the service (lesson type, duration, date, time)
• The total price including booking fee
• The arrangements for payment and performance
• The instructor's cancellation policy
• A link to these Terms of Service

4. Instructor responsibilities

As an instructor using PassReady, you agree to:

• Hold a valid ADI or PDI badge at all times while offering lessons through the platform
• Provide accurate pricing, availability, and business information
• Deliver lessons as booked and to a professional standard
• Maintain a roadworthy, insured, and taxed vehicle suitable for driving instruction
• Set a fair and clear cancellation policy
• Comply with Stripe's terms of service for your connected account
• Be responsible for the quality and safety of all instruction you provide
• Not use the platform for any unlawful purpose

Instructor account warnings and suspension

• Amber warning: 3 or more instructor-initiated cancellations in a calendar month
• Red warning: 5 or more instructor-initiated cancellations in a calendar month
• Suspension: PassReady will give 30 days' written notice with reasons before suspending an instructor account, except in cases of fraud, safety concerns, or serious misconduct, where suspension may be immediate

Instructor data

• Instructors own their business data (student lists, lesson records, financial data, reviews)
• Data is always exportable through the platform
• If you request a full data export by email, we will provide it within 14 days

5. Student responsibilities

As a student using PassReady, you agree to:

• Hold a valid provisional driving licence for all booked lessons
• Provide accurate personal and booking information
• Arrive at the agreed pickup location on time
• Comply with the instructor's cancellation policy (displayed before you book)
• Not use the platform for any unlawful purpose

Student data

• Students own their personal data and progress records
• Data is exportable on request — contact us at hello@staghillsoftware.co.uk
• Account deletion is available at any time, subject to legal retention requirements (see section 14)

6. Payments and fees

• All payments are processed by Stripe, a PCI Level 1 certified payment processor. PassReady never sees, stores, or has access to your card details or bank information.
• When a student books and pays online, a booking fee is added on top of the instructor's lesson price and is paid by the student at checkout. The fee is PassReady's 4.2% platform fee plus the card processing cost, with the student's total then rounded up to the next whole pound. The round-up surplus is shared equally between the instructor and PassReady.
• The instructor never pays the booking fee and never pays card processing. This is fixed and is not configurable by either party. The instructor receives their full lesson price, and usually a few pence more.
• Worked example on a £40 lesson: the student pays £43 in total, the instructor receives £40.23, PassReady's share is £1.92 and Stripe's card processing is about £0.85. (4.2% on its own does not equal the £3 the student adds; the £3 is the platform fee plus card processing, rounded up.)
• Cash and other off-platform lessons can be recorded in the diary free of charge. PassReady charges nothing on them.
• Instructors set their own lesson prices. PassReady does not control or influence pricing.
• Payouts to instructors happen on the schedule they choose: daily, weekly, or monthly.
• The first payout from Stripe may take up to 7 days while Stripe completes its verification checks. Subsequent payouts follow the instructor's chosen schedule.
• All prices displayed on instructor pages are set by the instructor and include VAT where applicable.

7. Gift cards

• Gift cards are non-refundable after delivery to the recipient
• Gift cards expire 24 months from the date of purchase
• Gift cards are tied to a specific instructor and can only be redeemed for lessons with that instructor
• Gift cards cannot be exchanged for cash
• If an instructor leaves the platform, any unredeemed gift card balance will be refunded to the purchaser

8. Promo codes

• Promo codes are created and managed by individual instructors
• The terms, discount amount, and validity period of promo codes are set by the instructor
• PassReady is not liable for the terms of any promo code
• Promo codes cannot be combined with gift cards unless the instructor allows it

9. Cancellation and refunds

Each instructor sets their own cancellation policy (typically 24–48 hours' notice). The instructor's cancellation policy is displayed on their booking page before you pay. By booking, you agree to that policy.

The booking fee

• When the student cancels: the booking fee is non-refundable. This covers our payment processing costs, which are incurred at the time of the original transaction.
• When the instructor cancels: the full amount including the booking fee is refunded to the student. The student should not lose money because of a cancellation they did not cause.

Student cancellations

• Within the cancellation window (e.g. more than 24 hours before the lesson): the full lesson price is refunded. The booking fee is not refunded.
• Outside the cancellation window (e.g. less than 24 hours before the lesson): a partial refund or no refund, according to the instructor's policy. The booking fee is not refunded.
• No-show (student does not turn up): no refund of any kind.

Instructor cancellations

• If the instructor cancels: the full amount paid (lesson price plus booking fee) is refunded to the student.
• If the instructor reschedules: no refund is issued. The lesson moves to a new date and time, which the student must agree to. If the student does not agree to the new time, they may cancel under the standard cancellation policy.

Block booking refunds

• Block booking refunds (where unused hours are returned) are subject to a £15 admin fee, which is deducted from the refund amount. This fee is disclosed at the time of purchase.
• This fee covers the administrative cost of recalculating and processing partial block booking refunds.

How refunds work

• Refunds are processed back to the original payment method
• Refunds typically take 5–10 business days to appear in your account
• Instructors can also issue discretionary refunds at any time through the platform

10. Disputes and chargebacks

If you have a problem with a booking or payment, please contact us first before disputing the charge with your bank. We resolve most issues quickly and a chargeback is rarely necessary.

Contact us at: hello@staghillsoftware.co.uk

What happens during a dispute

• When a chargeback or payment dispute is opened, the student's account is frozen. They cannot book new lessons until the dispute is resolved.
• PassReady absorbs all dispute fees charged by Stripe. Neither the student nor the instructor pays these fees.

Dispute outcomes

• If the dispute is resolved in PassReady's favour: the student's account may be suspended or permanently banned, depending on the circumstances. Fraudulent chargebacks cause real financial harm to instructors and to PassReady, and we treat them seriously.
• If the dispute is resolved in the student's favour: the student's account is unfrozen and they can continue using the platform. The instructor's account may be reviewed if the dispute indicates a service issue.

Account ban appeals

If your account is banned following a dispute, you may appeal in writing to hello@staghillsoftware.co.uk within 30 days of the ban. Appeals will be reviewed by a senior member of the team. We will respond within 14 days. The decision on appeal is final.

11. Platform availability

PassReady is provided on a best-efforts basis. We aim for high availability but do not guarantee uninterrupted access. The platform may be temporarily unavailable for maintenance, updates, or due to circumstances beyond our control.

PassReady is a free service for instructors (no monthly fee). We do not offer service-level agreements or guaranteed uptime commitments.

12. Force majeure

Neither party shall be liable for any failure or delay in performing their obligations where such failure or delay results from circumstances beyond reasonable control, including but not limited to: acts of God, fire, flood, pandemic, governmental actions, war, terrorism, power failures, internet or telecommunications failures, cyberattacks, or failures of third-party service providers (including but not limited to Stripe, Firebase, and Google Cloud).

13. Limitation of liability

PassReady is a platform that connects driving instructors with students. We are not a driving school and do not employ instructors. Instructors are independent service providers.

• We are not liable for the quality, safety, or conduct of any driving lesson
• We are not liable for the actions or omissions of any instructor or student
• We are not liable for any loss of income resulting from platform downtime
• We are not liable for disputes between instructors and students
• We are not liable for any injury, loss, or damage arising from driving lessons booked through the platform, whether to the student, the instructor, or any third party
• We are not liable for the accuracy of any information provided by instructors, including but not limited to ADI badge numbers, DBS check dates, insurance status, pass rates, qualifications, or experience claims
• We are not liable for any instructor's failure to hold a valid ADI or PDI badge, a valid DBS check, valid insurance, or any other legal requirement
• We are not liable for any criminal, negligent, or unprofessional conduct by any instructor or student using the platform
• To the maximum extent permitted by law, our aggregate liability for all claims in any 12-month period shall not exceed the total platform fees paid by the claimant during that period
• Nothing in these terms limits our liability for death or personal injury caused by our negligence, fraud, or any other liability that cannot be excluded or limited by English law

14. Termination

• Either party can terminate the use of PassReady at any time
• Instructors can export all their data before deleting their account
• We reserve the right to suspend or terminate accounts that violate these terms, engage in fraudulent activity, or misuse the platform
• Outstanding payments owed to instructors at the time of termination will still be processed by Stripe

15. Data and GDPR

The data controller for PassReady is StagHill Software Ltd (company number 16878671), Sudbury, Suffolk.

• Data export requests are fulfilled within 14 days
• Account deletion is available at any time through the platform or by contacting us
• Dispute records (including chargeback details and correspondence) are retained for 6 years, as required by UK law for financial records
• Banned user data is retained for the purpose of fraud prevention. This is processed under legitimate interest (Article 6(1)(f) UK GDPR) to protect instructors and the platform from repeat fraudulent activity

For full details on how we handle your data, see our Privacy Policy.

16. Platform status

PassReady is a technology platform and marketplace that enables driving instructors to publish booking pages, accept payments, and manage their business. We are not a driving school, an employer, or a training provider.

• PassReady does not employ, manage, supervise, or direct any driving instructor
• Instructors are independent service providers who use PassReady as a tool. They set their own prices, choose their own hours, provide their own vehicle, and deliver lessons to their own standards
• The contractual relationship for driving lessons is between the instructor and the student. PassReady is not a party to that contract
• PassReady does not guarantee the quality, safety, or outcome of any driving lesson booked through the platform
• We do not control where, when, or how instructors deliver their lessons

Our role is limited to providing the technology that connects instructors with students and processes payments between them.

17. Instructor credentials

PassReady collects certain information from instructors during sign-up to help students make informed choices. Here is what we check and what we do not:

What we collect

• ADI badge number: We ask all instructors to provide their ADI (or PDI) badge number. This is displayed on their public profile so students can verify it on the DVSA register
• DBS check date: We ask instructors to tell us the date of their most recent DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) check. This is displayed on their profile if provided
• Stripe KYC: Before any instructor can receive payments, they must complete Stripe's identity verification (Know Your Customer) process, which includes verifying their legal name, date of birth, and bank account

What we do not independently verify

• We do not independently verify ADI badge numbers with the DVSA. Students can verify them directly at gov.uk/find-driving-instructor
• We do not carry out or independently verify DBS checks. The DBS check is carried out by the Disclosure and Barring Service as part of the DVSA's instructor qualification process
• We do not verify driving licence status, vehicle insurance, MOT status, or vehicle roadworthiness
• We do not verify the accuracy of any information instructors provide about their qualifications, experience, or pass rates

The DVSA is the regulatory authority for driving instructors in the UK. If you have concerns about an instructor's qualifications or conduct, contact the DVSA directly at cfi@dvsa.gov.uk or 0300 123 3248.

18. Intellectual property

• The PassReady platform, including its design, code, branding, and documentation, is the intellectual property of StagHill Software Ltd
• Instructors retain ownership of content they upload to the platform (photos, bios, logos). By uploading content, instructors grant PassReady a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to display that content on the platform for the purpose of operating their booking page
• Reviews written by students are owned by the student. By submitting a review, the student grants PassReady and the instructor a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to display the review on the platform
• When an instructor deletes their account, their uploaded content is removed from public display within 30 days. Cached or archived versions may persist in backups for up to 90 days

19. Expense tracking, receipts, and tax exports

PassReady includes tools for instructors to log business expenses, upload receipt photographs, and export financial records. These features are provided as record-keeping tools only.

What we provide

• Expense logging with categorisation
• Receipt photograph upload and storage
• Income and expense export in common formats (CSV, OFX, QIF)
• Quarterly summaries aligned to HMRC tax year periods
• Mileage tracking based on lesson data

What we do not provide

• PassReady does not provide tax advice, accounting advice, or financial advice of any kind. We are a record-keeping tool, not an accountant.
• We do not verify the accuracy or completeness of any expense, receipt, or financial record entered by the instructor
• We do not guarantee that any export or summary is suitable for HMRC submission, Making Tax Digital compliance, or any specific tax purpose
• We do not determine what expenses are deductible, what tax rates apply, or what allowances may be available to any individual
• We are not responsible for any tax liability, penalty, fine, or financial loss arising from the use of our expense tracking or export features

Receipt storage

• Receipt photographs uploaded by instructors are stored in Firebase Storage (Google Cloud infrastructure)
• Images are compressed to JPEG format on the instructor's device before upload to reduce storage costs
• Receipts are stored for 6 years after the relevant tax year, in line with HMRC record-keeping requirements
• Instructors may delete individual receipts at any time. Deletion is permanent and cannot be undone.
• PassReady is not a backup service. Instructors should retain their own copies of important receipts and financial records. We are not liable for any data loss, corruption, or unavailability of stored receipt images.

Professional advice

Instructors should consult a qualified accountant or tax adviser for guidance on their specific tax obligations, deductions, and compliance requirements. Nothing on the PassReady platform or website should be interpreted as tax advice.

20. Safeguarding and under-18 students

Learner drivers in the UK can hold a provisional licence from age 17 (or 16 in some circumstances). PassReady takes the safety of under-18 users seriously.

Instructor responsibilities

• Instructors are solely responsible for the safety and welfare of their students during lessons, including students under 18
• Instructors must comply with all applicable safeguarding laws and best practice when working with under-18 learners
• The DVSA requires all ADI and PDI applicants to undergo a DBS check as part of the qualification process

Platform safeguards

• Under-18 students are encouraged to have a parent or guardian involved in the booking process
• Students can share their progress with family members through the platform, providing visibility into lesson activity
• All lesson bookings, payments, and instructor interactions are logged on the platform
• If we receive a safeguarding concern about any instructor, we will suspend their account immediately pending investigation and report the matter to the DVSA and, where appropriate, the police

Reporting concerns

• If you have any safeguarding concern about an instructor on PassReady, contact us immediately at hello@staghillsoftware.co.uk
• You can also report concerns directly to the DVSA at cfi@dvsa.gov.uk or 0300 123 3248
• In an emergency, call 999

For more information, see our Student Safety Guide.

21. Complaints and dispute resolution

How to complain

If you are unhappy with any aspect of the PassReady service, contact us at hello@staghillsoftware.co.uk. We will acknowledge your complaint within 3 business days and aim to resolve it within 14 business days.

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Under the Alternative Dispute Resolution for Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities and Information) Regulations 2015, we are required to inform you that:

• We are not obliged to participate in alternative dispute resolution through an ADR entity, and we do not currently subscribe to an ADR scheme
• If we are unable to resolve your complaint directly, you may refer the matter to your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Trading Standards office
• EU/EEA residents may also use the European Commission's Online Dispute Resolution platform at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr, although the UK is no longer part of this scheme

22. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time. If we make material changes, we will notify affected users by email or through a notice on the platform at least 14 days before the changes take effect. Continued use of the platform after the effective date constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

The version number and date at the top of this page will always reflect the current version. Previous versions are available on request.

23. Governing law

These terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising from these terms or your use of PassReady shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

Nothing in these terms affects your statutory rights as a consumer under UK law, including the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts (Information, Disclosure and Cancellation) Regulations 2013.

24. Contact

If you have any questions about these terms, or if you need help with a booking or payment issue, contact us at:

StagHill Software Ltd
Company number: 16878671
Sudbury, Suffolk
hello@staghillsoftware.co.uk