Un-cancelling practical test

Familyguyfan

I had to cancel my test 4 (maybe 5??) times already due to exams and graduation.

Then yesterday my instructor told me I still wasn't ready for my practical and I tried to tell him I can't delay it again and it was too late (as my practical exam was meant to be Wednesday.)

He told me to delay it anyway so I did and then a sign came up saying I had lost my £62.

As I read the first page again, it said if I cancelled within 3 working days of my exam I would lose the fee. But this wasn't on the part about delaying the test - I think I could win my corner here and tell them that it wasn't clear.

Does anyone have advise for me/support?? has it happened to you??

Thanks guys!!

DaveF327

Unlike most other services in life where terms and conditions are meant to be communicated and understood, driving tests are governed by law. The fee, the conduct of the test, the notice period for cancelling without losing fee.. they're all set in stone in law, so the DSA cannot exercise any discretion. I'm afraid the old "ignorance of the law is no defence" card will be played here.

That said, it was somewhat remiss of your instructor to tell you to cancel your test with less than 3 working days' notice without warning you that your fee was at risk. He's within his right to refuse the use of his car if he feels you're not ready, but he should have informed you of this before Friday.

Having re-read your post, I can see that you are confused between the terms "cancelling" and "delaying", but unfortunately delaying the test means cancelling the appointment and making a new one.

Hermione_Granger

As I read the first page again, it said if I cancelled within 3 working days of my exam I would lose the fee. But this wasn't on the part about delaying the test - I think I could win my corner here and tell them that it wasn't clear.

The first page on the relevant website does state that the fee will be lost for any change within 3 days of the booking.

Change your practical test booking

Changing your test
You can only change your test three times - after that, you need to cancel your test and book a new one


You can change your test time or date, as long as your driving instructor is available on the new time and date.

If you change the test booking within three clear working days of your original test date you'll:
lose your original test fee
have to pay the full fee again
Sunday is not counted as a working day.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/Doitonlinemotoring/DG_197300

System

I don't understand why you booked your test before the instructor had said you were ready?

As DaveF327 says, if he didn't think you were ready then he wouldn't allow his car to be used. What did you plan to do in that situation?

Axial

It could have been because of the 4-6 week wait for a test.

My instructor advises his students to book a test after a few lessons otherwise by the time you are test ready it could be another 6 weeks before being able to take a test.

Obviously the instructor should have the courtesy if doing this to tell the student to cancel in good time of he/she believes they are not ready

Familyguyfan

I phoned up today and the man on the end of the phone told me:

You can't cancel your test by going through the change the date of your test tab.

However I was still able to do it. I challenged him and he seemed sympathetic enough so I sent in an E-mail for them to look into my case.

I was told to book my test some time ago but because of exams/graduation I had to miss a few lessons and I got a bit rusty ....