Driving Examiner refused to take driving test

JezOz

Hi all.

Bit of a weird one, but my brother was due to take his driving test this week. When he got to the test centre with his instructor, the examiner refused to let him take the test, as according to him my brother's licence wasn't legitimate (ie he didn't believe the picture was him ). He wasn't even given his money back.

I've literally never heard of an examiner refusing because of this. His instructor (15+ years experience) has never heard or seen it before either.

Find this especially odd given that his license was printed by the DVLA using the picture taken from the photo on his passport - so clearly it met their standards. Equally his licence was accepted by the DSA 6 weeks prior to this for his theory test.

He was half joking that the examiner just wanted to get back to watch the rugby, which I don't think is true but I do think it is odd.
He didn't even ask for secondary proof like a passport or debit card. It seems he just point blank refused a valid licence that was issued by the DVLA, of which my brother was recognised as the owner of that licence by the DSA when he took his theory test 6 weeks before.

Can anyone shed any light on this? Have you heard of it before? Was the examiner even within the rules when he did this? Surely he's entitled to a refund?

Thanks in advance!!

Browntoa

Yes, within the rules of they have doubts

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-38645864

JezOz

Thanks for the reply.

Get that they have to have fail safes, odd that you don't get a refund when you havent done anything wrong though.

If the picture on your licence has met DVLA standards and been issued by them, surely it's their fault if the DSA don't accept it?

lincroft1710

JezOz wrote: »

If the picture on your licence has met DVLA standards and been issued by them, surely it's their fault if the DSA don't accept it?

But the DVLA don't know what your brother looks like, the driving examiner does as he has seen him and in his opinion your brother does not look like the person in the photo

comeandgo

lincroft1710 wrote: »

But the DVLA don't know what your brother looks like, the driving examiner does as he has seen him and in his opinion your brother does not look like the person in the photo

DVLA took picture from passport website. To get a passport you need to get someone to verify the photo is you.

Andy_L

comeandgo wrote: »

DVLA took picture from passport website. To get a passport you need to get someone to verify the photo is you.

But that photo can be up to 10 years old though

EdGasketTheSecond

My licence doesn't have a picture and is valid for another 8 years.

JezOz

That's sort of my point though - the DSA accepted it at him at his theory test. I do think that they should advise you to bring another form of ID on the day, just in case some guy squinting at a 3 inch black white photo of you from 5 years ago printed on plastic who's never seen you before in your life might think it's not an exact resemblance.

The examiner didn't ask for a second form of ID - again I thought that was odd - but surely his passport would have put it to bed.

agrinnall

JezOz wrote: »

The examiner didn't ask for a second form of ID - again I thought that was odd - but surely his passport would have put it to bed.

Not if the passport photo is the same as the driving licence and he doesn't look like either any more. Sounds like he may need to get both renewed early with an up to date photo.

JezOz

Interesting - can't find any situations online where the test has actually been refused the test as a result of this. I've asked a couple of driving instructor with 10+ years experience who say they've also never heard of someone being refused the test because of this.

lister

JezOz wrote: »

Interesting - can't find any situations online where the test has actually been refused the test as a result of this. I've asked a couple of driving instructor with 10+ years experience who say they've also never heard of someone being refused the test because of this.

I haven't seen it happen myself (6+ years experience as an ADI), but have seen some very close calls where examiners were debating between themselves as to whether they were convinced. I have also had a conversation with a DVSA area manager who told me that it had happened a couple of years ago at one of my regular test centres.

The reason for no refund is that it is for the candidate to provide a licence that identifies them. If the examiner isn't satisfied, his time has been wasted and a slot that another could use has gone to waste. As a passport wouldn't have further clarified as is same pic, that doesn't help, and bank cards etc. have no photo (and no other photo ID would have a recognised system of confirmation of ID - however flaky the passport/DL system is).

You haven't said, but I assumed that the photo isn't a great likeness...

With regard to the theory test, remember that is an external contract, not run by DVSA operatives. They almost certainly will not have the same training in assessing photos against real people (which DEs do get).

As an ADI I have also told some of my students to update their photo. A 9 year old photo taken when you were 16 and had metal hair, and now you're 25, shaved head etc. isn't appropriate ID...