GENERAL RELEASE OF LIABILITY, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
The Stick Shift School
Effective Date: January 1st, 2026.
This General Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnification Agreement (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between The Stick Shift School, including its owners, officers, instructors, employees, agents, contractors, partners, affiliates, successors, and assigns (collectively, the “Released Parties”), and the individual purchasing and/or participating in services (“Client,” “You,” or “Participant”).
By clicking “I consent to the General Release of Liability,” during the booking experience, completing a booking, submitting payment, and/or participating in any lesson, You knowingly and voluntarily agree to all terms of this Agreement.
1. SCOPE OF SERVICES
The Stick Shift School provides manual-transmission driving instruction only. Services are limited to coaching, explanation, and instruction regarding operation of a manual-transmission motor vehicle.
The Stick Shift School:
Does not guarantee general driving proficiency, safety outcomes, or skill retention. Our guarantee is limited to successfully completing the "joy ride" portion at the end of the lesson, in terms of the learned ability to use the clutch and shift gears properly.
Does not provide insurance coverage for Client-caused accidents
Does not assume responsibility for Client vehicle control
2. ASSUMPTION OF RISK (MINNESOTA & TEXAS)
You understand and expressly acknowledge that operating a motor vehicle, including during instructional lessons, involves inherent and unavoidable risks, including but not limited to:
Motor vehicle collisions
Loss of vehicle control
Property damage
Bodily injury or death to Yourself or others
Traffic citations or legal consequences
You voluntarily assume all risks, whether known or unknown, foreseeable or unforeseeable, arising from or related to Your participation in services provided by The Stick Shift School, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
3. CLIENT CONTROL AND RESPONSIBILITY
You expressly acknowledge and agree that:
You maintain sole and exclusive control of the vehicle at all times at which you are behind the wheel.
Instruction does not transfer legal or operational responsibility to the instructor
The instructor is not a co-driver, guarantor, or fail-safe operator
Any accident, loss of control, citation, property damage, or injury caused by Your actions or omissions is Your sole responsibility.
4. ACCIDENTS, FAULT DETERMINATION, AND INSURANCE
You expressly agree that:
Any accident caused by You during a lesson shall be treated as an at-fault accident
Your personal automobile insurance (or other legally required financial responsibility) shall apply to:
Vehicle damage
Property damage
Bodily injury (including to Yourself, instructors, or third parties)
The cost of instruction does NOT include insurance coverage for Client-caused incidents
You authorize The Stick Shift School to collect and provide Your insurance information to insurers, law enforcement, or other parties as reasonably required
The Stick Shift School’s insurance coverage, if any, applies only when an accident is caused by the instructor, and not when caused by the Client.
5. RELEASE OF LIABILITY
(Compliant with Minnesota and Texas public policy limits)
To the fullest extent permitted by Minnesota and Texas law, You hereby release, waive, and discharge the Released Parties from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, or liabilities arising out of or related to:
Your participation in stick shift driving instruction
Your operation or control of any vehicle
Any accident or incident caused by You
Any alleged inadequacy of instruction or coaching
This release applies to claims arising before, during, or after the lesson, including future incidents allegedly connected to instruction received.
This Agreement does not release claims arising from gross negligence or willful misconduct where such release is prohibited by law.
6. NO LIABILITY FOR FUTURE DRIVING OR THIRD-PARTY CLAIMS
You expressly agree that The Stick Shift School shall not be liable for any future accident, injury, or damage involving You or any third party occurring after the lesson, even if such claims allege that:
Instruction was insufficient
Skills were not adequately taught
Driving habits were influenced by the lesson
You acknowledge that any driving decisions after the lesson are solely Your responsibility.
7. INDEMNIFICATION AND DEFENSE
To the fullest extent permitted by law, You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Released Parties from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, or expenses (including reasonable attorney’s fees) arising out of:
Your operation of the vehicle
Any accident or incident You cause
Claims brought by third parties resulting from Your conduct
Any violation of traffic or safety laws
8. NO WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES
The Stick Shift School makes no express or implied warranties, including but not limited to warranties of safety, fitness, or general driving competence. Instruction is educational in nature and specific to stick shift driving techniques only.
9. CLIENT REPRESENTATIONS
You represent and warrant that You:
Are legally permitted to operate a motor vehicle
Hold any required license or permit to drive
Are physically and mentally capable of participating
Are not impaired by drugs or alcohol
10. GOVERNING LAW & VENUE (Texas and Minnesota)
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with:
Minnesota law for services performed in Minnesota
Texas law for services performed in Texas
Venue shall lie exclusively in the state where the services were performed.
11. SEVERABILITY
If any provision of this Agreement is held unenforceable, such provision shall be severed, and the remainder shall continue in full force and effect.
12. ELECTRONIC CONSENT & ACKNOWLEDGMENT
By checking the box titled “I consent to the General Release of Liability” during the check out process, or participating in any of our services, you acknowledge that:
You have read and understand this Agreement
You are waiving substantial legal rights
You are agreeing voluntarily and without coercion