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CMA Orders AA Driving School Refunds and £4.2 Million Fine Over Hidden Fee
The schools will automatically refund affected learners, with payouts averaging about £9 each and total repayments topping £760,000, the CMA said.
- The Competition and Markets Authority ordered Two AA-owned driving schools to pay £4.2 million in fines and refund more than 80,000 customers for 'drip pricing' violations.
- Between April and December 2025, investigations revealed Two AA-owned driving schools omitted a mandatory £3 booking fee from initial prices, displaying it only at checkout—a practice known as 'drip pricing'.
- Affected customers will receive an average refund of about £9, totaling more than £760,000. Automobile Association Developments secured a 40% penalty reduction for cooperating, bringing combined costs to almost £5 million.
- A spokesperson for the Driving School acknowledged the fee 'should have also been displayed at the start' and stated the company made 'immediate changes' to its website. The CMA Chief Executive Sarah Cardell said mandatory fees must be included from the outset.
- This settlement marks a milestone in The CMA's broader enforcement drive against online pricing tactics. Since April last year, the regulator has investigated 14 businesses, including Autotrader and Just Eat, to combat unlawful pricing practices.
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Evening StandardReposted by 
perspectivemedia.com
perspectivemedia.comLearner drivers to get booking fees refunded over crackdown on drip-pricing
The Competition and Markets Authority said the AA Driving School and BSM Driving School did not include a mandatory £3 booking fee in upfront prices.
·London, United Kingdom
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Oxford Mail+6 Reposted by 6 other sources
Learner drivers to get refunds after £4.2m fine for AA and BSM over drip-pricing
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has ordered the AA Driving School and BSM Driving School to refund more than 80,000 learner drivers
·Oxford, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources30
Leaning Left5Leaning Right5Center16Last UpdatedBias Distribution62% Center
Bias Distribution
- 62% of the sources are Center
62% Center
L 19%
C 62%
R 19%
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