BSM driving school - waste of money

sanjeev · 9 July 2008 at 1:06PM

I am very disappointed to say that BSM discontinued to give me driving
lessons due to their lack of competent instructors. I failed four
tests during my training with one of their instructor and just when I badly
needed her to stay with me until I pass my test; she decided not to
continue with me. After my last test, she couldn’t believe I failed;
she was totally clueless and didn’t know what to do with me in order
to pass my test. We didn’t talk about it that day and a next driving
lesson was appointed in a month’s time. In the meantime, I thought of
getting advice and information from Instructors forum (2pass) on internet on
how to asses my situation by writing them.

When I met my instructor on our next lesson, I showed her the letter;
she was very supportive at that time and willingly agreed to help me
further. I decided to stay with her and continue my lessons until I
pass my test. Even she suggested me that I should get an assessment
from another instructor. She agreed to analyse and work with me
accordingly.

Later in my next lesson, she said that after having chat with her
business manager Tony at Swindon branch, she said that
she cannot continue to give me lessons. Not only that, she also said
that no other instructor in BSM will take me on training anymore.

I was shocked. I felt she was brainwashed by her manager as she
changed her opinion so soon. She gave me the reason that’s she felt
that I didn't trust her anymore, infact I tried to be open with her
and expressed my issues which was only related to my driving. I
explained her I was only asking for help and I never intended not to
trust her. Later when I complain to BSM head office, they said they
did this to save my money, they felt they couldn't let me drive with
them as their instructors were not capable of teaching nervous or
difficult pupils. I find this ridiculous as they are supposed to one
of the biggest driving schools and yet they dont have quality
instructors.

Like many others, I chose this particular driving school mainly from
their image. I know it is not the cheapest option, but this didn't
bother me too much as I assumed that the high quality level of service
would reflect the price. How wrong could I be? 'We won't fail you' is
the slogan - but how inspiring is this when it is the instructor from
BSM that fails you. I initially started my lessons with BSM over a
year ago, in January 2007 - and I am still without a licence.
Admittedly, I am not the most confident of drivers and did not expect
to pass my test in anything less than 25 hours, but my progress has
been appaulling. At first the instructor gives you confidence and then
she takes away from you. This is just another example of their
inability to keep the customer satisfied. I will *never* recommend BSM
to anybody.

Clearly, it seems one of BSM's prime philosophies is that, if the
pupil is unable to pass the test then discontinue him/her. It is a clever
and deceptive strategy - the company allow their pupils to feel that
it is all in their best interests to spend at least two hours but the
instructor is unwillingly to listen to her pupil. This has changed my
perpective of the company as whole. Instead of letting me try with
another instructor, the manager and instructor has taken the company in charge and this has proved to me their lack of competency and helpfulness.

With the advantage of hindsight, I realised that I had not been
treated fairly and written a formal complaint to the BSM director, BBC Watchdog, Capital Letters, Swindon Council, CAB and
consumer department. I spent nearly a thousand on my lessons, and now
I wont be able to recover for my losses. They should be called as
"Bull**** school of motoring"

Jvic28 · 9 July 2008 at 1:14PM

I passed my test 1st time with BSM, as did my sister and my boyfriend. I found them professional and efficient. Not the cheapest but they did the job. Maybe you're unlucky in your area.

Good Luck with your test(s!) in the future.

x

iNFLUENCE_2 · 10 July 2008 at 9:40PM

sanjeev wrote: »

With the advantage of hindsight, I realised that I had not beentreated fairly and written a formal complaint to the BSM director, BBC Watchdog, Capital Letters, Swindon Council, CAB and
consumer department. I spent nearly a thousand on my lessons, and now
I wont be able to recover for my losses. They should be called as
"Bull**** school of motoring"

With all due respect - ypu paid them for the lessons and they gave you them, no matter what happens thats a qunaitity of driving experience that they cant take away from you.

Might I suggest to you that you consider a crash course? Thats how I passed my test - maybe 4 or 5 hours a day for a week then a test at the end of it and see how that goes?

Mojisola · 10 July 2008 at 10:16PM

sanjeev wrote: »

I am very disappointed to say that BSM discontinued to give me driving lessons due to their lack of competent instructors.

After my last test, she couldn’t believe I failed; she was totally clueless and didn’t know what to do with me in order to pass my test.

I initially started my lessons with BSM over a year ago, in January 2007 - and I am still without a licence.

Admittedly, I am not the most confident of drivers and did not expect to pass my test in anything less than 25 hours, but my progress has been appaulling.

Our family's experience of BSM has been very good. I am very impressed with the booklet the instructors work from - driving has been broken down into all the separate skills necessary to be a good driver and these are taught and assessed until the learner has achieved the necessary level in each individual skill.

I'm sorry that you feel BSM has not worked for you. If you felt that the instructors are not competent and clueless, why have you stayed with them so long?

lesley1960 · 10 July 2008 at 10:40PM

I failed twice , gave up for a few years then passed with BSM ( swindon funnily enough lol )

I echo other posts , why dont you go with someone else?

Its not in the driving schools best interest to have high fail rates btw

cajef · 10 July 2008 at 11:11PM

It is very rare for a driving school to refuse to carry on giving lessons to a pupil but is does happen and there can be several reasons why.

It can be because they feel the pupil is not listening to instruction or just as the pupil may not like or get on with the instructor, the opposite can very occasionally happen, especially if the pupil does not respond or refuses to take on information that is being passed on to them, however with the BSM it would be normal for a different instructor to be allocated before refusing to carry on with a pupil.

You say that the instructor is unwilling to listen to her pupil, it may just be possible that you are unwilling to listen to the instructor and depending on the reasons why there have been four failures, BSM feel that to carrying on is pointless and would be wasting both the instructors time and the pupils money.

cheap_plastic_spoon · 11 July 2008 at 9:52AM

If BSM doesn't want your money why not try an independent instructor,see if anybody can recommend a local one 'person' company or try several to see who you get on with best.It took me three attempts before passing,the first one I had was really good but she got sick and stopped working then I got a different instructor every other lesson,not good.I took a break from lessons for about 3 years (had a motorbike to get me about) then had a guy recommended to me and passed with him.Also what kinda car you drive may make a difference failed in Ford Escorts passed in a Mini (Rover).

Mojisola · 11 July 2008 at 10:16AM

What kinds of things are you failing the tests on? Are they things which you can do during lessons but mess up on the tests? It may be that driving test nerves are not letting you show yourself to the best during the test.

Moneysavingblogger · 17 October 2009 at 2:29PM

If you are thinking of starting driving lessons with BSM please read this post. Please consider your choice very carefully!!!!

My sister learnt with BSM 9 years ago before they were franchised in the days when you could have 20 hours and that would be enough to pass your test. In 2009 they long out the process to over 45-50 hours for most people. Beware they will rip you off!!!!

My first instructor smoked in the car (which is illegal) and continually got out of the car during my lessons to smoke. He also answered his phone whilst he was supposed to be supervising my driving. I confronted him about this, and he was just rued. He was unprofessional, and not interested in teaching me anything. I complained to BSM in Bristol and they refunded me for these hours.

The second instructor started off well enough, but then became complacent. They are a company that likes to long out and draw out absolutely everything to make you pay for lessons which you really dont need. I made it clear at the start of each of my lessons what it was that I wanted to learn seen as I was paying the premium of £28 per hour.

My instructor was on the phone and texting in the car when she was supposed to be supervising me.
She continually got lost and would give me late instructions as to where I would be going, which interferred with my ability to use the MSM routine.
She didnt correct my errors she just talked. And refused to listen to me when I asked her to be quite so I could concentrate on driving.
She interfered with my driving unnecessarily - one time causing a serious risk of a crash. She spilt coke all over the floor on her side of the car. She didnt think i was steering enough to the right at a crossroads. She hit the brakes but her foot slipped and the instructor stalled the car in the middle of a crossroads causing a very dangerous obstruction as the lights turned red we were blocking oncoming traffic.
The instructor had the audacity to text me at 11 o'clock at night to book a lesson the next day.
Then she booked in lessons without even telling me when they were.

BSM's Policy

They insist that you book 2 hours but my experience is that they dont fully utilise that time. They ask you to drive around on their errands - rather than around test routes.
They switched cars three times, first I was driving an Astra, then a Corsa then a Fiat 500 which disrupted my learning process. I ended up paying for more lessons just because I wasnt used to the car that they gave me. I expressly said from the beginning that I wanted to drive a Corsa and they simply ignored my wishes, and turned up outside my house in another car.
My instructor didnt know the test routes and so I have come to the stage where I know loads about my surounding areas but not enough about the test centre areas.
You can only do a practical test after your instructor signs a "declaration of test readiness", so if your lucky you might pass by the year 2012 when they put you forward for the test (as they work for themselves your a regular cash cow!)
BSM are not interested in reprimanding bad instructors as they are getting money from the instructors around £250-350 fee per week.
They give you a driving record book which is supposed to record progress but my instructor didnt bother to fill it out. When she did she used to deliberately downgrade me.
I completed a mock with BSM and the instructor who I had never met before said I would need a minimum of 10 hours, my instructor had been telling me that I needed at least 20-30 hours!!!!!

My advice, well I have had 24 hours with them, and I have moved to Red Driving School because I am fed up with BSM's instructors. I am a very fast learner, so I found myself very frustrated by the slowness of everything with BSM. If your instructor is slowing you down/not being clear dont hold off changing them or the school that your with.

nmnm · 24 November 2009 at 10:03PM

my my we have been busy , your not an agent for another driving school are you , learner driver 2009 on other forum ? 9 years ago 20 hours to pass test ? DREAM ON!DSA estimate 45 hours plus 22 hours private practice for average driver to be test ready. if instructor needed to stop you for safety then she would have stalled the car deliberately for safety reasons, how on earth could she stall the car by her foot slipping?If your instructor has kept you local I would suggest that you arent ready for test as mock test shows. One instructor says min 10 (not max) this could be 10 20 30 If as you say you are a very fast learner i suggest you slow down a bit and take notice of what your professional driving instructor tells you! nmnm ADI

ClareEmily · 24 November 2009 at 10:10PM

If not happy with instructor change, and if BSM won't take you anymore, then go to someone else.

I finally (on 7th attempt and numerious instructors) passed with the AA.

It is not a waste of money by the way, it is all good practice and the more lessons you have the more experience you will gain.

Another poster wrote: Its not in the driving schools best interest to have high fail rates btw - this is so true.

BSM driving school - waste of money

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