Page 2 | Driving instructor wants to cancel my practical test.

Daisychainsandglitter · 18/10/2021 17:56

They can do this. I have a test booked for December which I think I will have to cancel as I'm not ready.
My instructor said that she won't take anyone for their test until they are passing their mocks.

WB205020 · 18/10/2021 18:02

If your driving instructor is saying you are not ready to take your test i would listen to them. I highly doubt they are saying it to be cruel or just to keep you taking lessons, especially if they are fully booked already as they wont need the custom.

All that said, i would be concerned if your driving instructor has said you need 9 more hours before the test but cant fit you in for those 9 hours. In the lead up to my test 20+ years ago my instructor had me for several lessons each week in the weeks leading up to the test to ensure i was test ready.

If your instructor cant fit you in for more than 1 a week for the next 9 weeks +, then i would say that is not on and if they feel you are not ready to take your test they should be working with you to make sure you are by getting you ready for the test. Unless i have misunderstood something.

Imnothereforthedrama · 18/10/2021 18:06

Doesn’t matter op if you have spent £1000 or £10,000 on lessons are you ready to take your test?. Everyone is different there is no average amount . I suspect the 9 hours is at least 9 hours so my advice cancel and rebook for the new year when you are ready . You will not pass if your driving instructor thinks your not ready.

NoKnit · 18/10/2021 20:11

Sounds ever so slightly fishy.

Has he got someone else who has recently failed lined up to take your test due to the backlog? That happened to me. Almost 30 years ago now though so different reasons

pompey38 · 18/10/2021 20:21

My daughter instructor was adamant she’s not ready but she wouldn’t have it so he gave in and took her in the end , she passed with couple of minors. If you really feel you can do it, go for it with or without him .

Rainbowsew · 18/10/2021 20:49

@Palavah

Why don't you book a lesson with another driving school, see what they think about your readiness to take the test? If they are no more optimistic than him then you've lost nothing because you've squeezed in an extra lesson.

I'd think he wanted to make a few extra quid out of you too. I'd say I'm not booking extra hours with you and see what they say.

Can't you just book a test yourself anymore?

MissSmiley · 18/10/2021 21:08

@pompey38

My daughter instructor was adamant she’s not ready but she wouldn’t have it so he gave in and took her in the end , she passed with couple of minors. If you really feel you can do it, go for it with or without him .

My son was the same last week, his instructor said he gave him a 60% chance of passing, he passed first time with only two minors

icedcoffees · 18/10/2021 21:12

Can't you just book a test yourself anymore?

You can, but OP said her instructor booked for her as part of a package. if that's the case, he can cancel it too.

Driving instructors are allowed to refuse to take pupils to their tests if they believe them to be unsafe or incapable of passing.

Plotato · 18/10/2021 21:18

I'm surprised at how many people say to trust the instructor. Of course there are bad eggs out there stringing out the number of lessons. Have never heard of a 'mock test' as mentioned above. The test is a means to an end - I passed, just, and later had more lessons to get more confident at certain things. On another day I might not have passed. That was the same for everyone I knew - didn't know anyone who was completely confident they'd pass first time. Taking your test twice was very common.

Wearethetwirl · 18/10/2021 21:19

I had my instructor disappear on me, a month before the test. I ended up booking a lesson with a new school and explained the situation from the outset. They agreed to a few more lessons and took me for the test. I passed!

hamstersarse · 18/10/2021 21:24

Driving instructors have been told by the DVSA to not put people forward for tests if they aren’t ready.

It’s to help with the backlog.

Over 50% of tests are a fail and they want to try and get those who are ready prioritised

QuillBill · 18/10/2021 21:31

You need to find out if you can go to the test independent of him in another car. Have you got all of the details of it or has he? Can he change it or do you have to.

There is a huge backlog where I am but you can get a test for a few days time pretty much all of the time. I'm using the Testi app to keep my eye out for tests,

safariboot · 18/10/2021 21:46

He booked it, he says it came free with the driving package that I have paid for.

This kind of thing is the sign of a rip-off merchant. Good driving instructors don't need to do "packages" that lock their students in.

Unfortunately if your so-called instructor booked the test and controls the booking, they might well be able to prevent you attending even in a different car. In future book your own tests (but agree the date with the instructor at the time).

Even though the test situation is still unclear, I'd say just like you might with a doctor, get a second opinion! Find another instructor, one well rated, who can do a few lessons and give their view on whether you should take the test on the booked date.

VanCleefArpels · 18/10/2021 22:18

Given the current backlog I’d be amazed if any driving instructor needs to string anyone along for a few more lessons in order to earn a few extra quid - they’ve all got massive waiting lists!! So it’s no skin off the instructors nose if you don’t take their advice on your readiness

QuillBill · 18/10/2021 22:21

@VanCleefArpels

Given the current backlog I’d be amazed if any driving instructor needs to string anyone along for a few more lessons in order to earn a few extra quid - they’ve all got massive waiting lists!! So it’s no skin off the instructors nose if you don’t take their advice on your readiness

Very true. I contacted at least ten and only two got back to me at all and then I had to wait two months for a free spot.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 18/10/2021 22:38

I had the same thing. I passed with two minors.

I had booked the test, not the driving instructor, and I used my mum’s car.

I’m convinced that the driving instructors just wanted more money from me.

If I were in your shoes, I would try to take the test anyway.

Can you keep the test booking or does it ‘belong’ to the driving instructor? In other words, can the school cancel it without your permission?
Can you use a car belonging to a family member? Remember that you will have to get insured on it before the test.
Try calling other schools to see if you can get a few lessons in with them before the test and therefore use their car for the test.

Good luck!

MrsFin · 18/10/2021 22:49

Even though the test situation is still unclear, I'd say just like you might with a doctor, get a second opinion! Find another instructor, one well rated, who can do a few lessons and give their view on whether you should take the test on the booked date.

A) good luck with finding a different instructor who will take you for just a few lessons - they are all booked up with waiting lists
B) if you're going to pay another instructor for more lessons you might as well continue paying the one you have now

TheAntiGardener · 18/10/2021 23:01

Many instructors like to string learners along, unfortunately. Not saying that’s what happened here, but I wouldn’t blindly trust that he has your best interests at heart like some pps. I had one who was rather snide - our last ever lesson ended with me asking when he thought I’d be ready to take my test, and he said in a rather nasty way “No idea. Could be six months, could be six years.” I didn’t waste any more time with him, but got someone who actually wanted to get their learners passed!

But only you know if there’s an issue here or if you really would benefit from some extra lessons.

cherrybonbons · 19/10/2021 04:33

Yeah mine said that to me. He also said I couldn't bay park, and then yelled at me when I did it perfectly. He also groped my bum when we did around the car checks. I passed my test (with a different instructor) first time.

TreeSmuggler · 19/10/2021 05:32

I had the same comment, slightly different situation though as I had always planned to do the test in a our family car and booked the test myself, so the instructor had no way of stopping me. He said it was impossible I would pass and was no where near ready. Of course I passed easily with no problems at all.

I'm guessing for lazy/dodgy instructors, a student that knows how to drive is a very easy lesson so they string you along as much as possible.

PumpkinsandTea · 19/10/2021 11:13

I haven't read the full thread but I've just seen that you've only done one lesson per week and just had to say that this is never enough! Of the one hour per week, you spent 30 mins getting back to the point you were at when you finished your last lesson! 2 hours a week minimum, in my opinion

Byme · 02/03/2023 17:44

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Driving instructor wants to cancel my practical test.

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