The AA Driving School, nationwide UK

**Avoid the AA Driving School – unfair policies, refusal to refund, and no way to escalate your complaint**

I booked lessons for my 17-year-old daughter through the AA Driving School. She became ill with severe period pain and had to cancel at short notice. Despite explaining the situation, the AA refused to refund the £168 for the cancelled lessons.

Our assigned instructor told us he could not refund the money because of AA policy.

But the AA told us the instructor is responsible for refunds.

This left us stuck between two parties, each deflecting responsibility onto the other. Nothing was resolved.

The AA Driving School does NOT subscribe to any ADR (Alternative Dispute Resolution) scheme.

This means if they issue a “final response”, you cannot take your complaint to an independent ombudsman.

Their exact statement to me was:

“The AA Driving School does not subscribe to an ADR.”

So if you disagree with their decision — your only option is court.

They rely heavily on pre-paying for lessons.

When you buy a block of lessons, your money sits in your AA account — not yours.

They hold the funds and enforce a rigid cancellation policy, even when illness is involved.

No discretion, no compassion, no flexibility.

This involved a vulnerable 17-year-old girl dealing with a genuine medical issue (severe period pain).

The AA ignored the context completely.

Poor communication and “final responses” with little real engagement.

Most replies were dismissive and template-based.

The instructor and AA contradicted each other throughout.

No escalation route — no independent review — no accountability.

National Conciliation Service (NCS) confirmed they cannot take AA Driving School cases.

Citizens Advice confirmed there is no ombudsman for AA Driving School complaints.

They have passed the matter to Trading Standards for review.

Consumers are left with nowhere to turn.

⭐ MY EXPERIENCE IN ONE LINE:

If anything goes wrong, the AA Driving School will hold your money, refuse discretion, and leave you with no way to challenge their decision except legal action.

⭐ Would I trust them with my child’s money, safety or learning again? Absolutely not.

I would not recommend them to anyone.

There are many independent instructors who charge less, treat you like a human being, and don’t trap your money behind rigid policies and contradictions.

Absolutely fantastic driving instructor, patient with me being anxious. Helped me to improve to pass first time! Can’t thank him enough.

Learning to drive was genuinely the best decision I could have made! He is an exceptional driving instructor in every sense, his professionalism, deep knowledge and ability to teach with absolute clarity makes him the best. His patience and calm energy completely transformed my confidence on the road. He creates a relaxed, supportive learning environment while still helping you to improve with every lesson. Every lesson with him felt positive, encouraging and tailored to exactly what I needed, which is a testament to his skill and experience. With his guidance and dedication, I passed feeling not just prepared but truly confident. If you’re looking for an instructor, he is the one. An outstanding instructor and a wonderful person, I highly recommend him!

A huge thank you, he was absolutely consistent, honest, competent and professional and I would highly recommend him. I was an anxious learner so a first time pass is a huge result for me.

A big thank you to my instructor at Chippenham for giving me lessons on such short notice before my test. He’s a talkative, fun, and genuinely good person, a great instructor who delivers excellent results. I really appreciate all his help and support!

Passed first time with my great instructor! I highly recommend him, 10/10. Thank you!

Initially chose AA as it was the program my partner used, and while we both have driver's licenses from another country, he passed on his first try. I was hoping to address this process thoroughly and efficiently, but tried with two other instructors before finding him.

I knew he was the right choice when he promptly callled after my lengthy text, patiently listening to my concerns and goal. His assesment of my driving was thorough and objective, providing me with an plan to master the skills necessary. He was flexible with his time, understanding when I was ill, and fitting me it to put me at ease before the test.

He really knows the area, and took the time to understood how I learned best, via practice. He made sure I was also very familar with the area, using the same system as the examiners. He was patient and fair.

I too passed on my first try, and I know that is due, in very large part, to him. Can't recommend him highly enough.

I recently passed my driving test with 1 minor at Sidcup with the AA my driving instructor, he was a fantastic teacher very calm, patient and informative. If anyone is able to have him as a teacher especially nervous or beginners you woukd be very lucky.

I honestly can’t thank him enough for everything he did to help me pass my driving test first go!

No question was ever too small, and no mistake was ever treated as a failure,just another step forward. He has a way of making you feel supported, and confident, even when nerves kick in.

Walking out of that test centre with my pass on the first try today felt amazing, and it’s all thanks to his incredible teaching and helping me with all my little struggles! Thank you

I was extremely nervouse today, anxiety has been eating at me since last week as my test hot closer, he is one amazing instructor. He is the father like teacher when it comes to driving. Never once felt unsafe or unprofesional. First time lass with no faults is a milestone I never expected. Thank you for the learning curb, instructions and the thick patience you had with me. I will definitly book you for a motorway course.