Driving Tests

Alison_B

My son had his driving test booked for this morning. Booked him in for 3 x double lessons over the weekend as a final boost, so he was all set this morning.

He was picked up by his instructor 1.5 hours before his test and had a driving lesson, then they went to the test centre whilst they were going through last minute questions. Went into the waiting room with everyone else around 15 minutes before test was due to start. At his allocated time, the examiners came out and called for their pupils. My son and instructor were sat waiting, then one of the examiners said "OH" and called out my sons name. He thought he was going with her and she just said "your examiner is off sick, fill this form in" and off she went, so my son had to come home.

On looking at the form we have to fill in, they will only pay for 1.5 hours with your instructor, so we are now out of pocket by £10 due to them cancelling his test. Is this normal or can we contest this? It sort of rubs salt into the wounds.

Gordon861

Probably not, I'm a bit suprised they are even paying for the instructors time for the test.

I would have thought that the test centre would have either got in cover for the examiner being off sick or at least called the people expecting their tests today to tell them on the cancellation.

Another problem is you might not want to make a massive fuss about this until after he actually sits his test and passes, as it may be a little difficult being tested when the examiner knows his mum was raising hell with them the other day.

DaveF327

Yes, it's normal and no, you can't contest it. Although the law does not require them to do so (a driving test is a statutory requirement, not a business contract), they are offering compensation out of the goodness of their hearts as they know you have incurred some costs in getting there. They pay what they consider to be reasonable - remember that no-one was forced to take a 2 hour session with their instructor or 3 sessions over weekend. They won't refund any lessons as these were your choice, but they'll pay the lion's share of the car hire fee as well as certain proved losses, such as time off work (up to half a day's pay). Check the form carefully and claim back what you can.

If it's any comfort, the lessons your son had won't have been wasted; hopefully they'll have prepared him even better for whenever he takes his test.

Alison_B

Gordon861 - good point.

DaveF327, I didn't mention about claiming back for the cost of the driving lessons over the weekend, I was just stating a point that we had paid for these extra lessons in order to help my son. What I was on about was that we had to book an hour lesson before the test which was a driving lesson and also to get him to the test centre and then there was the hours hire of the car for his actual test. I feel that they should reimburse us for todays expenses but they will only cover the cost of 1.5 hours rather than the 2 hours we paid for.

I am going to leave this until after he has sat his test. It is just so annoying that the next available date (at the moment) is mid September and he had hoped to have taken and passed by then.

KeithP

Keep phoning up.
You may well get an earlier date, but it may take a few calls.

Inactive

Gordon861 wrote: »

I would have thought that the test centre would have either got in cover for the examiner being off sick or at least called the people expecting their tests today to tell them on the cancellation.

Test centres are geographically spread, it would not be possible to " magic up " an examiner, also test candidates are contacted wherever possible, however if it is an early morning test it often isn't possible to contact them in time.

hewhoisnotintheknow

my opinion is your instructor thought your son needed the lessons before his test, he had the lessons so no real loss

marcosh

yes, i agree hewhoisnotintheknow,
your son should take the lessons to pass the test

nibs

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

my opinion is your instructor thought your son needed the lessons before his test, he had the lessons so no real loss

I disagree, he wouldn't be taking his test if he still needed lessons. The lesson before the test is purely to relax the pupil and get him focused for the test.

Alison_B

nibs wrote: »

I disagree, he wouldn't be taking his test if he still needed lessons. The lesson before the test is purely to relax the pupil and get him focused for the test.

That is exactly it. He has been ready for his test for about 4 weeks, when we booked the test. The weekend lessons were just to give him continual driving and relax him prior to his test.

Premier_2

Alison_B wrote: »

...
On looking at the form we have to fill in, they will only pay for 1.5 hours with your instructor, so we are now out of pocket by £10 due to them cancelling his test. Is this normal or can we contest this? It sort of rubs salt into the wounds.

They offered to pay for 1.5hours?

A driving test only lasts about 30 mins doesn't it? You should be able to get any instructor to go to & from the test & allow the car to be used for a test within 1 hour.

The lessons your son had before the test were to train him and are not reimbursible.

If you want to save more money, perhaps let your son use your car (if he is insured, then you won't have to pay the instructor any more money and you'll be quids in