Test Aankoop sues 12 driving schools for illegal terms and conditions

Consumer association Test Aankoop/Test Achats has filed a complaint with the economic inspection against twelve driving schools because their general terms and conditions are unacceptable. Some of them even violate the law.

Test Aankoop/Test Achats recently investigated the general terms and conditions of 13 driving schools and identified various forms of abuse and even violations of the law. For example, the cancellation policy is very unfriendly to consumers.

Death certificate

Some driving schools require student drivers to pay for the complete lesson if they cancel less than a week in advance. A doctor’s note—or even a death certificate—will not be accepted. If the class is not canceled seven days in advance, student drivers must pay for it.

At the same time, driving schools are usually allowed to cancel lessons, even at the last minute, due to instructor illness, weather conditions, or other force majeure situations.

Five driving schools stated in their terms and conditions that they could unilaterally change their prices or general terms and conditions, although this is not allowed.

Feu Vert adjusted its conditions

Testaankoop called on the thirteen driving schools, but only one—Feu Vert—adjusted its conditions. A complaint was filed against the rest. The complaint was also filed against mobility organization VAB. The latter announced that it had made adjustments, but according to Testaankoop, there were still imperfections.

“The fact that such widespread abuse is found points to a dysfunction in the sector. Testaankoop concludes that more controls and perhaps even specific guidelines are needed.

Better protection

“That is why we have sent several proposals to the Federal Public Service Mobility and the federal and regional ministers of Mobility, to inform them of our results and the need to protect learner drivers better,” concludes Laura Clays, spokesperson for Test Aankoop.