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Original poster

To expect a driving instructor to ring the doorbell?

314 replies

NotTonightDeidre · 07/04/2025 09:15

Just that really. DS missed a driving lesson this morning because he wasn't awake. The driving instructor text him to say he was outside. He didn't call his phone or ring our doorbell.

I get that it's DS' responsibility to be at the lesson, but if it were me I'd just ring/knock when it's a pick up from home.

Is it really that unreasonable to get out of the car & walk 10 steps to the front door?

OP posts:
ARichtGoodDram · 07/04/2025 09:27

I've never known a driving instructor get out the car and ring the bell.

79Beastie · 07/04/2025 09:27

Or maybe your son should be out of bed, dressed and waiting for the instructors text. It's not his job to wake your son up and then wait for him to get ready.

Otins · 07/04/2025 09:26

Not sure a driving lesson when he had only just woken up would be a sensible or safe thing to do anyway, even if the DI had rung the doorbell. Although as others have said, your son should have been ready and waiting anyway, and it isn’t up to the DI to ring the bell.

Coffeeishot · 07/04/2025 09:25

I can't decide if this is real or just a poking stick for a Monday morning 😂

MinnieCauldwell · 07/04/2025 09:25

DIs turn up late because of clients like your son dicking about and being late. Puts the whole day behind for everyone. Most DIs will be doing the paperwork in the car and don't have time to be getting out and ringing doorbell for over sleeping teens.

Brefugee · 07/04/2025 09:24

NotTonightDeidre · 07/04/2025 09:21

It's his 3rd lesson. His first one, the instructor was 10 minutes late. He was ready & waiting as he was for his second.

I just don't see the harm in ringing a doorbell.

this is FAFO for your son. He needs to be ready.
If the instructor is late, it won't be because he slept in, and your son will still get his full time (or money off)

AFAIK there are waiting lists, don't piss off the instructor. This is a good life lesson for your DS.

crumblingschools · 07/04/2025 09:24

I assume when DI was late he probably had legitimate excuse of traffic. What was your son’s excuse for not being up on time?

Do you expect work/college to phone him to make sure he is awake?

PiastriThePastry · 07/04/2025 09:24

As others have said, what would’ve been the point in ringing the doorbell anyway? It might have woken him (but it might not!) and then what? The instructor has to hang around waiting for your son to go to the loo, have a wash, do his teeth, get dressed… etc?! Be serious now please 🙄

HelenWheels · 07/04/2025 09:24

your son should take full responsibility for his behaviour

Juiceinacup · 07/04/2025 09:23

Expensive life lesson for your DS, I bet he won’t do that again!
Maybe if your son is so unreliable, you should take it upon yourself to phone him before his lesson time and chase him out of bed?

doodleschnoodle · 07/04/2025 09:23

If he’s old enough to drive, he’s old enough to get himself up in time. I was always looking out for my instructor and went outside when I saw him pull up. I think your annoyance is misdirected.

Onelifeonly · 07/04/2025 09:23

You pay for a lesson of a certain length of time - it's not unreasonable for the instructor to expect you to be ready at the start time. My dd's instructor always texted her. In fact DD would be waiting, looking out of the window.

It's a life lesson for him to learn. Grown up enough to have driving lessons means you're grown up enough to be ready on time.

BatteryPoweredPeacock · 07/04/2025 09:23

Perhaps the instructor can also drive the car and take the test for him too?

Icedlatteplease · 07/04/2025 09:23

Your child was in bed asleep and you were expecting the Driving instructor to hang around until your son bothered to get up and dressed?

I hope your not the one paying for your DS' irresponsibility

Your DS should be up outside waiting to go at least 5 mins before.

Twinty2 · 07/04/2025 09:22

I have 3 instructors and none of them have knocked on even once.

crumblingschools · 07/04/2025 09:22

I wouldn’t want someone driving minutes after waking up. Teen needs to take responsibility. If he is going to be responsible behind a wheel he needs to be able to be responsible to get up on time

BlondeMummyto1 · 07/04/2025 09:22

NotTonightDeidre · 07/04/2025 09:21

It's his 3rd lesson. His first one, the instructor was 10 minutes late. He was ready & waiting as he was for his second.

I just don't see the harm in ringing a doorbell.

What difference would it make? He was asleep.

Sofiewoo · 07/04/2025 09:22

Is it his boss’s fault if he misses work because he “wasn’t awake” too?

Talk about a pandered to teenager!

Your DS is lazy and has poor time keeping, that’s more your fault than the driving instructor. It’s not their responsibility to wake your almost adult child for his commitments.

Coffeeishot · 07/04/2025 09:22

You are joking right ? Your son wasn't up and that's the driving instructors responsibility!

Original poster
NotTonightDeidre · 07/04/2025 09:21

It's his 3rd lesson. His first one, the instructor was 10 minutes late. He was ready & waiting as he was for his second.

I just don't see the harm in ringing a doorbell.

OP posts:
HelenWheels · 07/04/2025 09:21

the driving instructor waits in the car
time is of the essence

MinnieCauldwell · 07/04/2025 09:21

He is old enough to drive he is old enough to get himself ready and waiting. The DI has lost money, your son needs to pay him. It's not like the DI could go and take someone else out instead is it?

EilishMcCandlish · 07/04/2025 09:21

It is not the instructor's job to have to ring your doorbell to wake your son for a driving lesson. If he isn't even out of bed when the lesson is meant to start, he is wasting the instructor's time hanging around waiting for him to get dressed and awake enough for his lesson.

I hope your son is still charged for the lesson and learns a life lesson in not wasting other people's time.

londongirl12 · 07/04/2025 09:20

Your DS wasn’t up anyway, even if he had rang the doorbell.

BlondeMummyto1 · 07/04/2025 09:20

The instructor might not come back for a further lesson. I hope your son has contacted them and apologised.
What a waste of their Monday morning.