Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not call back this driving instructor

16 replies

Primaryteach87 · 02/05/2017 20:31

I have had 3 driving lessons with an instructor. During those lessons they answered telephone calls, picked up takeaway and shouted at me (to the point of making me cry) and at a pedestrian. They also said they couldn't explain x, y, z when I asked for clarification...

I didn't sign a contract and they had changed the day of my lesson with only a few hours notice. All communication has been via text.

I was due to have a lesson on Wed at 1pm. On Monday night I texted to say I was cancelling lessons. I blocked their number (perhaps unwise!) but I was genuinely a bit scared they would be abusive.

I have now had a voicemail (apparently my phone allowed that...not sure how..) saying I owe them money.

As far as I'm concerned they didn't provide a fair service, I have no written contract and I gave (at least) 24 hours notice. I didn't have a regular day or time. Obviously I paid them for all lessons I actually had.

Am I reasonable to simply ignore this message? I haven't listened to the full message as it made me really anxious (I am recovering from a period of anxiety post baby).

Please be kind!!

OP posts:
pinkblink · 02/05/2017 20:33

Ignore! That sounds awful

ScarlettFreestone · 02/05/2017 20:33

Have you paid for the three lessons you had?

Falconhoof1 · 02/05/2017 20:34

I think ignore. They should think themselves lucky you haven't reported them. Is it a company or a self employed instructor?

Albatross26 · 02/05/2017 20:35

You don't owe them anything. If he wants to cause a fuss you've got more than enough to complain about! I'd message saying no, I gave you fair notice and owe you nothing. Goodbye!

CurlsLDN · 02/05/2017 20:35

They really sound awful op, and as a fellow anxiety sufferer I completely understand how unsettling this must be for you.

Did you discuss a block or number of lessons in your texts? If so, he might be right to feel that you have an agreement, as unfair as that is given the circumstances.

Could someone else listen to the voicemail for you and see what he's saying and if he has a leg to stand on?

I don't know if he really does, legally speaking

Original poster
Primaryteach87 · 02/05/2017 20:35

Yes Scarlett. I always paid at the time for lessons I had.

OP posts:
NancyDonahue · 02/05/2017 20:35

If you've paid for the 3 lessons I can't see why you would owe anything at all.

bigmack · 02/05/2017 20:37

You don't owe them anything if you have paid for the lessons you had and there is no contract.

Tapandgo · 02/05/2017 20:40

Sounds appalling. If he did those things in the time you are paying for his undivided attention and tutoring, he should not be in business. If he persists in any way to demand anything of you tell him you will be reporting him to the appropriate officials. (Look up who is is and be armed with your responses)

Original poster
Primaryteach87 · 02/05/2017 20:43

No, we didn't discuss any blocks of lessons. I'm moving house so wouldnt have continued to have the lessons until test but would have kept going for another month or so if they had been less terrifying!

I should add that she is a woman, but less scary because of that..

OP posts:
thismumismad · 02/05/2017 20:43

YANBU That is so unprofessional of them please report them here www.gov.uk/complain-about-a-driving-instructor

ThreeLeggedHaggis · 02/05/2017 20:44

You don't owe them anything. Ignore.

PrettyGoodLife · 02/05/2017 20:47

Ignore! That is awful.

confuugled1 · 02/05/2017 20:50

I would get an email fired off to him so you leave a paper trail, explaining why you have cancelled, the fact they have changed your lesson with less notice so you assumed that there was rquivalent notice on each side, highlighting how unprofessional (and unsafe?) their behaviour has been while teaching you and so on as laid out in your post. And if you are able to listen to their message so you can provide a rebuttal to each of the points they raised, even better.

Do they have a website with t&c on it? Were you ever given any info on times for cancelling or similar? Make sure you emphasise what you did or didn't know and that it was their responsibility to tell you (in writing if they didn't give it to you).

Good luck finding a good instructor!

Original poster
Primaryteach87 · 02/05/2017 20:54

Thanks all. I'm pretty sure she is just trying it on (she seems the sort).

I've asked a relative who is a solicitor who says I could communicate with them if I want to but since I don't owe them any money legally I'm under no obligation to and no real incentive to since I'm not trying to get money back that I paid (although part of me feels I should).

I know it sounds totally paranoid but I won't report her until we move house. I do actually think she is dangerous/reckless -who answers phone calls with a learner driver on their first lesson?

Thanks for the support.

OP posts:
starving · 02/05/2017 21:27

Actually it is not just unsafe using a mobile phone when supervising a learner driver it is illegal. www.gov.uk/using-mobile-phones-when-driving-the-law

New posts on this thread. Refresh page