Dispute with Driving Instructor

roadiegirl

I understand the learning of the routes, as recently there was a change to the test, where instead of the instructors telling you "please take the next left", its more of a "please follow the signs that direct you to xxx" (or so my friends who are learners at the minute tell me). You definitely have calls for complaint, my driving instructor's (independent) car broke down on the way to pick me up for my test, and refunded me the two hours for the test, the cost of the test and gave me a free lesson, even though it was something out of his control! I'd be getting onto the local rag and seeing what they say!

knightstyle

One thing to always ask a driving instructor is to see his badge. A green triangular badge means a fully qualified instructor, a pink badge means an instructor who is still training, some driving schools will not tell you if your instructor is not fully qualified.

jase1

... and conversely the ADIs I've come across who are grades 5 or 6 are usually only too happy to remind the student every five minutes of the fact

BoBoDobie

Would trading standards be able to help you take this forward at all?

skiddlydiddly

Have a thanks on me Spugz.

jase1

And me as well, seeing as we're throwing them around like confetti today. Heck, here's a couple for you as well Elky. Well done all.

[Deleted User]

What I always recommend is to find a good local instructor and pay lesson by lesson. Then if they don't turn up or make excuses, then it is them who are out of pocket, not you.

jase1

Totally agree LeeUK -- I've never had much time for this bulk-purchasing thing. By all means block-buy once you know the instructor well but teaching is a social skill above all, and even the best instructor isn't going to necessarily be a good match for even the best student.

And yes, an independent is the best way to go -- he/she will be living or dying on reputation and so is less likely to be unprofessional.

mountainofdebt

The trouble with BSM is that it is effectively a franchise and I guess as long as the parent company are getting their money I doubt they really care about the student / instructor relationship. (Though are BSM in financial trouble?)

Whilst I have alot of sympathy for the OP at the lost of the exam fee, is it really a good idea to 'learn' the test routes? I know they were on the internet but thought they were taken off for this very reason.

gpc273

BSM were in a whole heap of cack, but have been taken over by the AA. At the moment they are operating as 2 seperate brands, this may change who knows?
The AA only use fully qualified instructors whilst BSM use fully qualified and trainees. I think the average person wouldn't know the difference and a pound to a pinch of salt the trainee won't offer that info....
Someone mentioned it earlier, if the ADI has a pink badge (which MUST be displayed when teaching) then they are a PDI (trainee).