Practical driving test didn't happen - now what?

chrisaw

A few weeks back my driving test was unable to proceed when the examiner discovered a dirty great nail in the tyre at the test centre. My instructor was distraught and said that she would pay for another test.

It's now getting close to the retest date (I've paid for it - instructor has said she'll pay me back) and I've had contact from my instructor asking if I want any refresher lessons before my test. I've booked an hour for the day before the test and also confirmed with her that we'll be having an hour's warm up drive before the test. MIL thinks I shouldn't have to pay for any of this. I don't think that's entirely realistic, but certainly don't think I should have to pay for use of the car for the test, as I didn't get the use I'd paid for last time. As she books a two hour slot to include the test as a matter of course, would it be going too far to ask that I don't pay anything for her services or use of the car on test day at all? I'm asking because I genuinely don't know rather than because I have any preconceived ideas. :think:

Gavin83

Id imagine legally you probably wouldn't be entitled to much at all so most of what you receive is likely to be goodwill.

I think morally she should give you use of the car during the test for free and also pay for the test but I certainly don't see why she should provide extra lessons, including the one directly before the test for free.

Wasn't there a spare in the boot?

chrisaw

She asked if she had time to change the wheel, and the examiner said she'd have to be quick. She started hoiking everything out of the boot. Spare tyre was in there, but no jack.

In the end it amounts to how much she's going to give me. She charges £20 p/h. If she reckons she doesn't owe me any free time for the car/refresher lessons, then she just won't give me anything for the test fee, and we'll be quits. I do think she should give me at least one hours free use of the car - I paid £20 for it's use in the original test and didn't get to use it (for whatever reason) so as far as that goes, I reckon I'm £20 in credit with her.

DaveF327

It's a tricky one as the instructor obviously didn't sabotage the car on purpose and probably wasn't aware of the nail as they can be hard to spot, depending how the car was parked.

Contractually, you pay for the instructor's time in attendance (£20 per hour) including her time taking you to test and you've had this time, even if you didn't take the test. As the instructor agreed to hire you a suitable car for the test, but the car wasn't actually suitable, then the instructor has caused you a loss (the lost test fee) which is what you could legally reclaim - and she has agreed to reimburse you for this. By all means check your contract with your instructor, but I feel anything she gives you over and above the test fee is purely goodwill and for any self-employed person nowadays, that's going to hurt her in the pocket.

No-one is forcing you to have any refresher lessons before your next test - after all, your driving was at the required standard on the day of your last test, right? Also, you have private practice outside of lessons as recommended by the DSA, right? You don't even need to pay for your instructor to take you for test at all as you can provide your own car, or that of a friend or family member.

In summary, I wouldn't hound the poor instructor for compensation for every penny you might spend, but it wouldn't hurt to "test the waters" of her goodwill by asking if she may slightly reduce her rate for taking you to the next test, perhaps at cost.

Hintza

You in probability will fail so probably best keeping on good terms until after the test.

But I'm sure you are both reasonable folk and can sort it out amicably.

chrisaw

Hintza wrote: »

You in probability will fail so probably best keeping on good terms until after the test.

Don't think that hasn't crossed my mind. :laugh:

I think on reflection my main sticking point is the £20 that I paid in advance for use of the car in the last test. In reality all I got for that £20 was 10 minutes standing around at a local garage while the wheel was changed, and a lift home. If she'd turned up at my home to give me a lesson and noticed a puncture, I wouldn't be charged for the lesson. Surely the same should be true of the payment for use of the car in the test? Would it risk damaging things between me and her if I were to let it be known that I don't expect to pay for the use of the car during the test this time round?

Hintza

chrisaw wrote: »

Would it risk damaging things between me and her if I were to let it be known that I don't expect to pay for the use of the car during the test this time round?

That sounds perfectly reasonable to me.

Inactive

Approved Driving Instructor with no jack to change a wheel..:eek:


Sounds very professional.;)

atrixblue.-MFR-.

mind boggling as to how there was no jack in the car at all being an instructor. my instructor on the day of test, checked the vehicle before he started out work, then before the test we were there 30 mins before appointment he got out checked all the tyres brake lights etc etc etc, that 30 min check he didnt charge me for, but he had been stung in the past when he took a student for a test and found out that the raer brake light switch had gone whilst they were out before the test as he checks car everytime he goes out before work as we are all supposed to do but he does it as it was part of his training.

terryw

For what it is worth, I was a qualified instructor for many a year and this sort of thing happened to me about ten times. With cars, it is just one of those things. BUT I always bent over backwards to try to make it up to the learner. I would immediately get a test form signed and book the test at my expense, give a lesson a week free and obviously not charge for the day of the re-test.

Maybe I was more than generous, but I took the view that even one disgruntled customer was one too many.

Gavin83

Not having a jack in the car for a professional driver is unacceptable IMO. I really think they should make it law for a car to carry all the necessary equipment to change a tyre.