Driving Examiner refused to take driving test

neilmcl

If he thinks he's been treated unfairly then he should complain to the DVSA.

comeandgo

Andy_L wrote: »

But that photo can be up to 10 years old though

Yes, mine is nearly twenty years old on my driving licence due to the fact my passport was nearly time out and my driving licence is for ten years.

AdrianC

JezOz wrote: »

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.
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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.

So how much DOES your brother look like his passport pic?

I won't even ask how old the pic is, because people can change rapidly in a short around of time. Some years ago, we travelled for a year and a half - during which time I lost a big chunk of weight, grew my hair, and got very tanned. A border guard very nearly refused to accept my passport, because I simply did not look much like the chubby crop-haired pasty bloke in the pic. He was absolutely right...

And that's before we consider that somebody could easily be in their early-mid 30s and their driving licence legitimately have a photo from when they were 16.

cubegame

Sounds to me like they have a poor procedure for doing this. It would make more sense if they conducted each and every test and then processed the ID check AFTER, before issuing the pass/fail documentation.

In the case of doubtful identity, the learner could be given up to 7 days to provide additional proof.

AdrianC

cubegame wrote: »

Sounds to me like they have a poor procedure for doing this. It would make more sense if they conducted each and every test and then processed the ID check AFTER, before issuing the pass/fail documentation.

In the case of doubtful identity, the learner could be given up to 7 days to provide additional proof.

Which doesn't help one bit if the problem is actually that the person sitting the test is not the licence holder. That's what the ID check is for...

JezOz

Thanks for all the replies - Lister particularly insightful.

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

It is a younger picture of him for sure. To be honest if you really wanted to you could probably challenge most older licences for likeness. I got my provisional in 2009 and the picture doesn't really look like me - my examiner had no issues though.

His instructor has lodged a complaint with the area manager as he felt the examiner was completely unreasonable on the day. He just told them to leave and went back to watching the Rugby on the telly.

Lister you mention cases where examiners have got a second opinion which I think would have been the right thing to do. His instructor didn't feel there were any real issues with the picture (again 15+ years ADI experience )