Let down by driving instructor on test day

[Oakleypaul]

DS has his driving test this morning. His instructor has phoned 10 mins before he’s due to pick him up for his pre test lesson to say his car has a flat tyre so DS is to meet him at the test centre in his own car for the test.

Im furious but keeping calm for DS. Thankfully DH is off work today so he’s quickly going over the under the bonnet stuff with him.

This instructor has also been an hour late on 3 occasions for lessons.

Poor DS.

Oh no what a nightmare! These things happen but it’s still super frustrating and unsettling. My son passed his test 2 weeks ago and it’s not like back in the day if you failed you could sit it again in a few weeks, you can be looking at another 6 months. At least he’s got his own car, although you know you will need another mirror for the examiner ? Good luck

Make sure the car is clean inside as otherwise they can refuse to do the test. Also don't you need a second mirror?

You do need a second mirror so make sure the instructor is bringing one with him.
It can't be helped but I get the angst, with the wait time for driving tests, and the difficulty booking them, it's a real pain the the arse at the moment. I hope it goes well for him!

It’s really not ideal and I feel bad for your son but if the instructor has a flat tyre there isn’t much he can do about it.

in terms of being late, how late are we talking and how frequently. Traffic can be very unpredictable sometimes so 5 minutes late on 3 out of 40 times is not that bad. 30 minutes plus on 3 out of 10 times is bad.

If you take your own car to the test centre, make sure it's in perfect condition, especially if it's an older car. If you're in a car provided by one of the big names, the checks on your car will be cursory - if you turn up in an older car they will examine it much more thoroughly and if, heaven forbid, there's not enough tread on the tires or there's a warning light on the dashboard - even the fuel light - you're not going on the test and you will lose your money.

ah that’s a pain in the arse.
Good luck to him though let us know how he gets on

Good luck for your DS 🍀
Please let us know how he gets on.

Btw, the same happened to me and I was in an absolute blind panic, but I passed. My instructor had a lovely calm air about him, which completely calmed me down.

Far too short notice for that I’m afraid but good advice for anyone else reading.

My son failed twice with driving instructors car - then the last time the instructor had to cancel last minute due to hospital so he had to drive his relatively new car too. He passed! Sometimes I think it helps. Good luck to your son x

I don't. That would be very unfair to people who are perfectly good drivers but struggle in a test situation because of nerves.

When I took my test the instructors car wasn't available because another pupil had their test an hour before me and there wasn't enough time to pick me up before mine and after theirs.
I passed my test in my DM car.

How stressful although a flat tyre can’t be helped. Best of luck to your DS. Really hope he passes

That’s terrible. I wouldn’t have had access to another car so that would have been the end of the test. How was the driving instructor when he phoned? Blasé? Apologetic? Would he have covered the cost of the test if your son didn’t have access to another car? Do driving instructors not have access to an informal friendship / professional group they can call on when cars breakdown/ in an emergency?

Sounds like the instructor should have been sacked long ago.

Hopefully doesn't put DS off.

Flat tyres can't be helped unless you think it's due to the instructor not being vigilant in looking after tyres. Can't really prove either way.

Hopefully DS passes with flying colours.

I know some people are being rude, ignore them. Not everything has to be life or death. This stuff is important in its own way.

I for one would like to hear how DS gets on so make sure you put an update! :)

How about a retest over 60, but you can't fail unless it's very dangerous driving, would mostly be to give advice to reduce accidents on the road. There's a lot of free schemes like this but people are too proud/stubborn embarrassed to take them up on it.

Md daughters driving instructor had a stroke the day of my daughters test , thankfully her friends dad was also an instructor so he stepped up but different car last minute really put her nerves into overdrive. She didn't pass . Your instructor sounds really unreliable

Best of luck to him

I passed my test in very trying circumstances. If he fails, it is gutting but won’t be the end of the world.

He’s passed! I’m so proud of him! Thanks for all of you who sent kind replies.

Great news! Congrats to DS! Hope you have a nice day celebrating :)

That’s great news - well done to your DS!

Insurance is a complication. The car has to be specifically insured for taking a driving test which they may not have in their cover.

YABVU.

You can't help a flat tyre, and surely taking the test in your OWN car is better than taking it in your instructors car? Ultimately you should be practicing more in your own car, with help from parents, and the instructor lessons are just a professional confirming the principles continue to be applied.

Just seen the update....Congratulations!

How long does it take to change a tyre? Surely a driving instructor has a well maintained car with options for changing a flat?

Sorry to hear this, OP! That is so unsettling. While it can't be helped, that doesn't help your son's nerves. Driving tests are so scary even if you're prepared.

How will your son drive the car to the test centre though? As obviously he will need to be accompanied. Hopefully your husband can sit with him.

Good luck to him!

*editing post-your update. CONGRATULATIONS!!

OP, thanks for posting. I know it was to let off stream, but I have learnt something from your thread.

We are in the driving test carnival of hell, and have managed to get a test in Feb. We can do it in our own car if that makes it easier. From your thread I now know we will need the car in tip top condition, clean and a second mirror. I also see that I will need a plan B and to have my DH and I off that day to support him.

I am so tired of some of the people on this site. Just the other day I had to pull a thread after asking a genuine question, and the trolls came out in the witching hour after a couple of proseccos to spend their evenings spraying their toxin.

Women come on here for support, to vent and to get advice.

Well done OP in supporting your son, and well done him on passing his test.