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Original poster

Driving instructor

16 replies

heartknot · 14/04/2019 09:25

My daughters driving instructor took her for her practical test at the wrong time. They were very late so she missed her test. My daughter was then made to drive home and the instructor has not once apologised.
My daughter was devastated at the time.
He rebooked the test for 10 days later. She failed(just). The instructor was the same one she would have had, had she turned up on time for the first test.
This and the upset of missing the first test are the reasons I believe she failed that test.
She finally took and passed her test 2 and half weeks later, with one minor fault only.
We paid for the original test and use of instructors car at the time.
I do not think we should have pay for the rest.
There is no signed contract.
He is threatening small claims court for the cost of the final test/use of car.
Should I pay?

OP posts:
NowWeAreSuckingDiesel · 14/04/2019 09:27

Did the instructor book it the original test for her? I thought you had to book your own test.

sparklefarts · 14/04/2019 09:28

I thought you booked your own test and then booked the instructor/car for that time?

LIZS · 14/04/2019 09:29

Did he charge for the rebooked date?

Perty01234 · 14/04/2019 09:31

When I learnt to drive I booked my test after I checked the instructor was free?

NowWeAreSuckingDiesel · 14/04/2019 09:32

Also, why on earth would having the same examiner for the second test contribute to her failing. I think YABU for that sentence alone really - "I believe she failed her test"... well, what does your daughter say?

Did she actually ever know the correct time and date of the test? Or the instructor booked it, and told her the the incorrect time?

TheFairyCaravan · 14/04/2019 09:33

My kids' driving instructor booked their tests. Had he have fucked up and took them at the wrong time I'd have not paid for the next test. That's really bloody cheeky.

I don't think you can blame him for her failing the test 10 days later though.

Ohfuhfoxsake · 14/04/2019 09:35

Personally I’d pay and draw a line under it.

You have to make a choice as to whether it’s worth pursuing.

The cost of dealing with an arsehole and the stress it brings often outweighs any financial redress or personal satisfaction.

OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny · 14/04/2019 09:38

So did your DD not know what time her test was?

Surely she must have had an email or something with the time on??

My DD has just applied for her test - her instructor gave her a list of
times that he was free and she booked it online and let him know. I'm surprised that someone else can book it for you, even if it is your instructor

gamerchick · 14/04/2019 09:39

But who booked the test? I've always booked the driving tests then told the instructor the time after he's given me the free dates window to book.

Whstever examiner took her out shouldn't have made any difference to the pass result.

Original poster
heartknot · 14/04/2019 09:48

The driving instructor booked the test. He told my daughter the correct time originally, but when she
asked to double check he told her the incorrect time. He picked her up and took her to the test.
He did not send her the email confirming the test.
We made sure he did for the subsequent tests.

My daughter felt the examiner on the 2nd test was against her from the start as she commented that my daughter had missed her 1st test.
Maybe we abu.

OP posts:
NowWeAreSuckingDiesel · 14/04/2019 09:52

Just move on, she's passed now. The instructor can't be for or against you - you either drive well enough or not. You've both learnt a valuable lesson.

NowWeAreSuckingDiesel · 14/04/2019 09:53

Examiner* not instructor, sorry

Hwory · 14/04/2019 09:58

Your posts aren’t 100% clear. Has the DI:

Charged for all three tests

Or

Charged for the two tests that your DD actually took and your argument is that you feel that she wouldn’t have failed the first test without the ‘stress’ of the mishap so you feel that she should only pay for one?

Original poster
heartknot · 14/04/2019 09:59

Ok. Thanks for giving my head a wobble!

OP posts:
Owlish · 14/04/2019 10:07

My DH is a driving instructor; he often books practical tests for people, but he does teach lots of people in which English is not their first language. On the (rare) occasions he's been unable to get to them for their tests - mainly his car being knackered - he never charges for their rebooked test.

ConcealDontFeeI · 14/04/2019 10:24

On one of my (many) driving tests, I got in the car and was asked to show the examiner how to sound the horn. The horn didn't beep, so the test was called off. My instructor was so sorry, and paid for my next text and did an hour before again for free. I failed that time, but would never expect him to book me another one after that? That's crazy. But the instructor should be very apologetic at least!

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