Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

MMH Driving School ("we," "our," "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and complying with Australian privacy laws, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

This policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and manage the personal information of our students, website visitors, and other individuals. By enrolling in our courses, booking lessons, using our website [Your Website URL], or providing your information to us, you consent to the practices described in this policy.

2. Collection of Personal Information

What We Collect

We collect personal information that is reasonably necessary for us to provide our driving instruction services. The types of information we collect include:

• Identity and Contact Details: Your full name, date of birth, residential address, email address, and phone number(s).
• Government Identifiers: Your Driver's Licence number (or learner's permit number). We may also collect your Medicare Number for identification purposes only in specific circumstances, but we will not use it for any other purpose.
• Financial Information: Your payment details (e.g., credit/debit card information) for processing transactions. We use secure third-party payment processors and do not store full card details on our servers.
• Sensitive Information: This is a special category of information under the Privacy Act. We will only collect this with your explicit consent. This may include:
  • Health Information: Details about medical conditions or disabilities that could affect your ability to drive safely (e.g., epilepsy, diabetes, sleep disorders, certain physical disabilities). This is collected to ensure your safety, the safety of our instructors, and the public, and to tailor our instruction to your needs.
  • Biometric Information: A photograph for your student record or for submission to the Department of Transport (DoT) if required for a practical driving assessment.
• Technical and Usage Data: When you visit our website, we may collect your IP address, browser type, and information about your interaction with our site (via cookies and similar technologies). See Section 8 for more details.
• Driving Progress Data: Records of your lesson bookings, attendance, progress notes made by your instructor, and results of any internal assessments.

How We Collect It

We collect information directly from you when you:

• Enrol online, over the phone, or in-person.
• Book a driving lesson or course.
• Complete any of our forms (e.g., enrolment form, medical condition disclosure form).
• Contact us via email, phone, or our website.
• Interact with us on social media (where our social media policy applies).

In some cases, we may collect information from a third party, such as a parent or guardian who enrols you, or from the Department of Transport (DoT) Western Australia where necessary to verify your licence status.

3. Use of Personal Information

We use your personal information for the following primary purposes:

• To Provide Services: To process your enrolment, schedule and manage your lessons, provide driving instruction, and maintain your training records.
• To Ensure Safety: To assess your fitness to undertake driving training, manage risks, and provide a safe learning environment for you and our instructors.
• For Administrative Purposes: To process payments, manage accounts, and handle complaints.
• For Communication: To send you service-related information, including lesson reminders, booking confirmations, and safety updates. With your prior consent, we may also send you marketing communications about new services or promotions.
• For Legal and Regulatory Compliance: To comply with our obligations under Western Australian law, including providing information to the Department of Transport (DoT) as required for practical driving tests (PDA) and other regulatory purposes.

4. Disclosure of Personal Information

We will not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. We may disclose your information in the following circumstances:

• To the Department of Transport (DoT) Western Australia: We are required to disclose certain information (e.g., your name, licence number, and course completion details) to the DoT to fulfil our role as a licensed driving school and to book your practical driving assessment (PDA).
• To Our Instructors: Your relevant personal and progress information is shared with our authorised driving instructors to facilitate your lessons effectively and safely.
• To Third-Party Service Providers: We may share information with trusted partners who assist us in operating our business, such as IT service providers, payment processors, and cloud storage providers. These parties are contractually bound to protect your information and use it only for the services they provide to us.
• As Required or Permitted by Law: We may disclose information if required by a subpoena, court order, or other legal process, or to otherwise comply with Australian law.

5. Data Security and Storage

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification, or disclosure. These steps include:

• Secure storage of physical records in locked cabinets.
• Use of password-protected and encrypted electronic systems.
• Limiting access to personal information to authorised personnel only.
• Secure destruction or de-identification of personal information that we no longer need.

We will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify personal information if it is no longer needed for any purpose permitted under the APPs.

6. Access to and Correction of Your Personal Information

You have the right to access the personal information we hold about you and to request that we correct it if it is inaccurate, out-of-date, incomplete, irrelevant, or misleading.

To request access or correction, please contact our Privacy Officer using the details in Section 10. We will respond to your request within a reasonable period. In certain circumstances permitted by law, we may charge a fee for providing access or may refuse access. If we refuse your request, we will provide you with written reasons for the refusal.

7. Complaints

If you have a complaint about how we have handled your personal information, please contact our Privacy Officer. We will investigate your complaint and respond to you in writing within a reasonable timeframe.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may lodge a complaint with the:

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC)
Phone: 1300 363 992
Website: https://www.oaic.gov.au

8. Cookies and Our Website

Our website may use "cookies" to collect anonymous traffic data and enhance your user experience. You can set your browser to refuse cookies, but this may affect the functionality of the website.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The updated version will be posted on our website with a revised "Last Updated" date. We encourage you to periodically review this policy.

10. Contact Us

Terms and Conditions

1. Acceptance of Terms

By booking a lesson, enrolling in a course, or using any services provided by MMH Driving School ("we," "our," "us," "the School"), you ("the Student," "you," "your") agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions. If you are under 18 years of age, a parent or guardian must read and accept these terms on your behalf.

2. Eligibility Requirements

2.1. Age and Licence: You must hold a valid Western Australian Learner's Permit or equivalent and meet the minimum age requirements as stipulated by the Department of Transport (DoT) Western Australia.

2.2. Medical Fitness: You must disclose any medical condition, disability, or medication that may impair your ability to drive safely. Failure to do so may result in immediate termination of lessons without refund.

2.3. Eye Test: You must be able to meet the DoT's visual acuity standards. You may be required to provide proof of an eyesight test.

3. Booking, Payment, and Fees

3.1. Lesson Bookings: Lessons can be booked via phone, online, or in person. A booking is only confirmed upon receipt of payment or a deposit as specified at the time of booking.

3.2. Pricing: All prices are quoted in Australian Dollars (AUD) and include GST where applicable. Prices are subject to change, but confirmed bookings will be honoured at the rate agreed at the time of booking.

3.3. Payment Methods: We accept cash, bank transfer, and credit/debit cards. Payment is due prior to the commencement of the lesson or course, unless prior credit arrangements have been formally approved.

3.4. Packages and Pre-Paid Lessons: Pre-paid lesson packages are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. Unused lessons are not transferable and are non-refundable, except as required by Australian Consumer Law.

4. Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy

4.1. Student Cancellation/Rescheduling:

• More than 24 hours' notice: No charge. Lesson can be rescheduled.
• Less than 24 hours' notice or 'No Show': A cancellation fee of 50% of the lesson price will be charged.
• Late arrival: The lesson will conclude at the originally scheduled time, and the full lesson fee applies.

4.2. Instructor/School Cancellation: If we need to cancel a lesson due to instructor illness, vehicle unavailability, or safety concerns (e.g., extreme weather), we will provide as much notice as possible and reschedule the lesson at no cost to you.

4.3. Procedure: All cancellations must be communicated directly to the School via phone call or SMS to our official business number. Messages via social media are not accepted as formal cancellation.

5. Lesson Conduct and Safety

5.1. General Conduct: You must behave respectfully and follow the instructions of your instructor at all times. Aggressive, abusive, or disrespectful behaviour will result in immediate termination of the lesson and may lead to expulsion from the School without refund.

5.2. Safety: The instructor has absolute authority over the vehicle. They may terminate a lesson immediately if, in their sole judgment, you are unfit to drive due to alcohol, drugs (prescription or otherwise), fatigue, emotional state, or any other safety concern.

5.3. Personal Belongings: The School is not responsible for loss or damage to any personal belongings left in the training vehicle.

5.4. Hygiene: You must be in a clean and presentable state for your lesson. The instructor reserves the right to refuse a lesson if hygiene poses a health or safety risk.

6. Driving Test Bookings and Use of School Vehicle

6.1. Test Bookings: We can assist in booking your Practical Driving Assessment (PDA) with the DoT, but the final booking and associated fee are your responsibility.

6.2. Vehicle Hire for PDA: The hire of a School vehicle for a PDA is subject to availability and the following conditions:

1. You must have completed a minimum number of lessons with the School (typically 5-10) as determined by your instructor's recommendation.
2. A pre-test lesson is mandatory on the day of, or prior to, the test.
3. The vehicle hire fee must be paid in advance. This fee does not include the DoT test fee.
4. If you fail to present your Learner's Permit on the test day, the hire fee is forfeited.

7. Liability and Insurance

7.1. Insurance Coverage: Our vehicles are comprehensively insured for the purpose of driver training. The insurance excess (currently $[Amount]) applies in the event of an accident.

7.2. Student Liability for Accidents: You, the Student (or your parent/guardian if under 18), are financially liable for the insurance excess in the event of an accident where you are deemed to be at fault, as determined by our insurer. This liability also extends to any damage not covered by insurance.

7.3. Indemnity: You agree to indemnify MMH Driving School, its instructors, and employees against all claims, losses, or expenses arising from your breach of these terms or negligent acts during a lesson.

8. Guarantees and Refunds

8.1. No 'Pass Guarantee': While we strive for the highest standards of tuition, we do not and cannot guarantee that you will pass your driving test. Success depends on individual aptitude, practice, and test-day performance.

8.2. Refunds: Refunds for unused pre-paid lessons will only be considered in exceptional circumstances (e.g., documented long-term medical incapacity) at the discretion of the School's management, and may be subject to an administrative fee. Our refund policy operates in compliance with the Australian Consumer Law.

9. Intellectual Property

All materials provided by the School, including handbooks, diagrams, and digital content, are for your personal use only and remain the intellectual property of MMH Driving School. They may not be copied, distributed, or used for commercial purposes.

10. Privacy

Your personal information is collected and managed in accordance with our Privacy Policy (available on our website or upon request), which complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Australian Privacy Principles.

11. Force Majeure

We are not liable for any failure or delay in performing our obligations due to events beyond our reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, pandemics, government actions, or industrial disputes.

12. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time. The updated version will be posted on our website. Continued use of our services after changes constitutes acceptance of the new terms.

13. Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of Western Australia. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Western Australia.

14. Contact and Complaints

For any questions or to raise a formal complaint regarding our services, please contact:

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Acknowledgement

By booking a lesson with MMH Driving School, I confirm that:

• I have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions.
• I am the holder of a valid Learner's Permit.
• I understand my liability for the insurance excess in the event of an at-fault accident.
• I authorise MMH Driving School to disclose necessary information to the Department of Transport Western Australia for licensing purposes.

Student Name (Print): ___________________________

Signature: ___________________________

Date: __/__/____

Parent/Guardian Name & Signature (if under 18): ___________________________