Privacy Policy

PRIVACY POLICY M&S Learners2Drivers Effective Date: 31 October 2026 1. Who We Are M&S Learners2Drivers is a trading name of MS Learners2Drivers, registration number 2026/751506/07. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect your personal information in accordance with South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (“POPIA”) when you visit our website at learners2drivers.co.za, enquire about our services, register for online learner’s license preparation, or book practical driving lessons. Business Address: Nelson Street, Goodwood, Cape Town, 7460 Information Officer: Marco Stassen Email: [email protected] WhatsApp / Telephone: 072 292 0897 / 076 422 2592 ________________________________________ 2. Personal Information We Collect We collect only the personal information necessary to deliver our training and support services. Depending on how you interact with us, this may include: • Contact & Registration Details: Name and surname, email address, WhatsApp or telephone number, and area/suburb. • Learner’s Preparation Information: The license code you are studying for (Code 1, 2, or 3), your scheduled test date, and chosen traffic department. • Learning Progress: Practice test attempts, completion scores, and account credentials when using our online learner preparation platform. • Lesson & Booking Information: Pick-up locations, lesson scheduling details, and instructor communications. • Payment Records: Proof of payment or transaction references for direct bank deposits or Electronic Funds Transfers (EFT). We do not collect credit card details or operate an automated card gateway on our website. • Vehicle Insurance Verification: For clients choosing to take driving lessons in their own vehicle, active insurance is verified visually prior to commencing the lesson. We do not retain, copy, or store copies of your personal insurance policy documents. We do not routinely collect, record, or store South African identity numbers or passport documents. ________________________________________ 3. How We Collect Your Information We collect information directly from you when you: • Complete an enquiry or registration form on our website. • Reach out to us directly via WhatsApp, email, telephone, or social media platforms. • Register for and complete exercises on our online learner’s prep program. • Arrange driving lessons or test day packages. • Subscribe to our email newsletter or educational driving tips. Certain registration buttons on our website automatically format your details into a pre-filled WhatsApp message or email draft. The information is transmitted to us only once you tap "Send". ________________________________________ 4. Purpose and Legal Basis for Processing We process personal information under the lawful grounds established by POPIA (including entering into or performing a service contract, fulfilling statutory duties, or pursuing our legitimate operational interests) for the following purposes: • Responding to your enquiries and explaining our training program. • Enrolling you in the online learner’s preparation course and monitoring your test prep progress. • Scheduling and providing in-person driving instruction and test day support. • Managing billing reconciliations for direct bank deposits and EFTs. • Sending service-related notices, booking confirmations, and updates. • Delivering helpful driving tips and educational material via email where you have given your consent. ________________________________________ 5. Marketing and Communications We do not sell, rent, or trade your contact information to third parties for marketing purposes. If you choose to subscribe to our email newsletter or receive driving tips, you may withdraw your consent at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the email or by messaging us directly. Opting out of marketing does not affect essential operational messages regarding your booked lessons or active learner’s courses. ________________________________________ 6. Service Providers and Third Parties To provide an efficient digital experience, we share necessary technical information with trusted third-party service providers: • Hosting & Platform Infrastructure: Our website and administration environment are hosted via Abacus.AI on secure cloud infrastructure. • Communication Channels: We use WhatsApp (Meta Platforms) and Google Workspace/Gmail to communicate with you and coordinate bookings. • Legal Disclosures: We may disclose records if strictly required to do so by South African law, regulation, or formal court process. Cross-Border Data Transfers: Because cloud hosting and messaging platforms may utilize secure data centers globally, data transmitted over the internet may be routed or backed up across international borders. These transfers are governed by robust data security protocols and commercial terms that meet or exceed the requirements of Section 72 of POPIA. ________________________________________ 7. Cookies and Technical Tracking Our website uses essential session cookies and local browser storage necessary for core functionality—such as keeping your student account active while answering practice questions and saving your quiz scores. We do not use invasive third-party ad-tracking cookies. You can manage or disable cookies through your personal web browser settings, although certain features of the interactive practice tests may not function properly without session cookies enabled. ________________________________________ 8. Information Security We implement reasonable and appropriate organizational and technical safeguards to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, loss, or misuse: • Strict Internal Access: Administrative access to client personal records and the website backend is restricted exclusively to executive management (Marco and Shantell Stassen). No outside contractors or unauthorized staff have access to client data. • Secure Authentication: Administration accounts require protected passwords and authenticated management sign-ins. • Transmission Security: Web traffic across our site is encrypted using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL/TLS) technology. In the unlikely event of a suspected security compromise affecting your personal information, we will notify both the Information Regulator and affected individuals in accordance with Section 22 of POPIA. ________________________________________ 9. Retention of Personal Records We do not retain personal information indefinitely: • Student & Learner Records: Information relating to online preparation, practice test scores, and practical driving lessons is retained for the active duration of your training and maintained for a period of 6 to 12 months following course completion to assist returning students seeking additional vehicle codes or follow-up lessons. • Periodic Reviews: Records that have exceeded this window and no longer serve an active operational or legal purpose are securely deleted or de-identified. • Financial Records: Basic accounting records and proof of payment are kept for statutory periods mandated by South African tax and commercial legislation. ________________________________________ 10. Information of Children (Minors Under 18) Under South African law, persons under the age of 18 are considered children. We frequently assist young drivers who are 16 or 17 years old preparing for Code 1 (motorcycle) or Code 2 (light motor vehicle) learner's licenses. In accordance with Section 35 of POPIA, we process personal information of minors only with the knowledge and consent of a parent or legal guardian. In our standard operating procedure, bookings and course enrolments for learners under 18 are initiated directly by the parent or guardian. If an applicant under 18 contacts us directly, we require parental or guardian acknowledgement before finalizing the booking. ________________________________________ 11. Photographs, Video Content, and Social Media We celebrate our students' achievements on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. Receiving driving lessons does not imply consent to appear on social media. We will always obtain express, voluntary permission from the learner (and from a parent or legal guardian if the learner is under 18) before publishing photographs, videos, or testimonials featuring recognizable individuals. ________________________________________ 12. Your Legal Rights Under POPIA You have the right to: • Inquire whether we hold personal information about you and request access to those records. • Request the correction or updating of inaccurate, outdated, or incomplete details. • Request the deletion or destruction of your personal information where we are no longer authorized or required to retain it. • Object to the processing of your personal information on reasonable grounds, or object to direct marketing. To exercise any of these rights, please contact our Information Officer using the contact details provided in Section 1. We may request proof of identity before completing your request. You also have the right to submit a complaint to the South African Information Regulator: • Website: inforegulator.org.za • Email: [email protected] / [email protected] ________________________________________ 13. Updates to This Policy We review and update this policy periodically to reflect changes in our operational procedures or legal requirements. The latest version will always be accessible on our website with the updated effective date.