Money Moral Dilemma: Should I ask the driving school for my money back?

MSE_Sarah

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

I've just passed my theory test. I've been trying to book the practical test for some time, but haven't been able to due to the huge backlog. Out of frustration, I've just shelled out a hefty fee for a driving course that promised me a test in February. They've now booked the test for June. I said they had promised February and got a load of "it’s hard to book tests" - which they’d have known when selling me the course. Do I try to get my money back but risk losing the June test booking and having to start over, or just suck it up and wait?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't answer Money Moral Dilemma questions as contributions are emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be a point of debate and discussed at face value. Remember that behind each dilemma there is a real person so, as the forum rules say, please keep it kind and keep it clean.

 If you haven’t already, join the forum to reply.
 Got a Money Moral Dilemma of your own? Suggest an MMD.
 View past Money Moral Dilemmas.

El_Torro

If all you want is to take the practical test then I would have thought that paying for a course with a test included would be a very expensive way to go about doing this. Better to just book the test yourself, even if it means waiting until June (or later). If the lessons that come with the course are of value then I would proceed as planned. There's no guarantee that you will get an earlier test by going it alone. 

elsien

When you say they promised you an earlier test, how was that promise made and what was the exact wording?

Mother_of_Many

If the course came with a guarantee of February, I would remind them of this, and say this is why you paid out for the course……it would be false advertising to have guaranteed February and then not do that, so you would be entitled to a full refund. 

If, however, it said ‘tests from February’ then that is what they are offering. 

It would have been better to book for a test at another centre, surely? 

Especially if you didn’t need the extra lessons?

This isn’t a new thing. I took my test when I was 18 (18 years ago now), and one of the boys I was at sixth form with kept having issues with booking so ended up going to Wales for his test. (We lived in London). The media pretending this is a new issue with booking tests isn’t quite correct.

Hopefully the government will sort this out but they don’t appear to be doing much to help many of us at the moment, so let’s not hold our breath🫣

PostHoc25

I'd scout around to see if there is any possibility of an earlier test elsewhere in the UK if you can travel then ask for a refund if it empirically states Feb and not FROM FEB as other reply noted, and book the test elsewhere earlier.

Ultimately it will be a small print issue. Anything in writing? Or are there online reviews, perhaps with others saying they too feel misled by ads? If so, could you go via the ASA (Advertising Standards Agency) to claim false advertising and ensure a refund that way if they don't want to refund?

As a 50 year old who took 3 theory tests and could never quite manage the 3 things required at once whilst driving (using the controls correctly, watching the road, and figuring out where I was going), I finally gave up and have been a happy pedestrian and public transport user since age 19. Had so many lessons both with family and professionals but just could not get to grips with it all!

Beauborg

I’m not sure why this is a moral dilemma.  It just seems like a practical one to me:

If you book a test separately, when will it be?  Is there any reason why you wouldn’t want to wait till that time?

Can you book a test in another part of the country, as suggested above?

Was it definitely stated that you would have the test in February when you booked with the driving school?  If so, you’ve every right to ask for a refund. 

There are some practical questions to consider, but I don’t see a moral issue here. 

hannerrbabes

I'd ask for a refund then report them to the advertising watchdog as it sounds like they're false advertising. Book a practical driving test for ASAP. Log on daily to check for cancellations that might give you an earlier slot. 

Il_Padrino_2

This isn't a dilemma at all. As others have said request your money back and report them.
Book your own test anywhere. You will easily find one in or before June. Then attempt to change that booking. Specify the postcode of the test centre you want, or your own postcode. The system will bring up the nearest 4 test centres to that postcode. If a closer date is available you can click on it. You need to do this IMMEDIATELY as a test with a near date will disappear within 2 seconds. If there is no date keep refreshing until the system chucks you out and then try again an hour later. I booked 7 tests for friends using this method and got them all tests within 10 days.

mtc95

elsien said:

When you say they promised you an earlier test, how was that promise made and what was the exact wording?

It's pointless asking questions on these MMD threads.  You won't get an answer 

2702

Sounds like it will be a difficult process to get your money back and seems like it would be difficult to get an earlier test booked wherever you go.I suggest that you negotiate extra lessons or a partial refund. I would also look to start taking the lessons later on so I am up to speed in June. Good Luck

elsien

mtc95 said:

elsien said:

When you say they promised you an earlier test, how was that promise made and what was the exact wording?

It's pointless asking questions on these MMD threads.  You won't get an answer 

I should know that by now - overlooked at this time around. However  I don’t see how anyone can say that the person has been ripped off and deserves their money back without any level of detail as to what the driving school actually said in reality.