Can someone hold my hand and keep me strong please, just made a complaint about someone

[ZombiesAteMyBigToe]

Just had terrible driving instructor, really bad service, endangered me, didn't give good value tuition. Wasted a fortune on this guy's service.

Today I decided to do something about it and complained to his company.

They are going to phone me back soon and I am feeling very weepy and weak which is pathetic, I don't want to cry, I want to get some of my money back at least. This is my first proper complaint ever, I am usually too terrified to do anything about it, but the sharp intakes of breath when I tell people what he did have finally convinced me to do this.

I could do with a big mumsnet kick up the arse. Or a hug. I dont know which.

[Andro]

I'll add my voice to the advice to contact the DSA.

When I learnt to drive (at 17) I did a crash course, it couldn't have been more different to your experience. Don't take any about it being the nature of these courses (which I've heard before), it isn't. Learning to drive via a crash course needs a really good instructor, it takes a certain type of person to be able to build a student's skill and confidence in a condensed period.

Good luck with both your complaint and your next driving test.

[ZombiesAteMyBigToe]

Wow Edwinia that is awesome, you are a star! Thank you so much.


I'm going to work on rewriting my complaint today so its ready to go. I feel a lot more sure of myself now.

Re: test, with this guy he picked me up (usually late) and we drove straight to the test centre which is ten minutes away. Then we parked up on the road outside for up to thirty minutes before entering the car park and parking. It was booked for two hours but I reckon I only drove for 50 mins or so, including the test. It was a shock with the new lady when she took me to do all four manoevres and an emergency stop before the test. Still failed but it was so much less nerve wracking.


She did work part time but is still always looking for new pupils.

[mayaswell]

She could advertise on Mumsnet Local!

[ZombiesAteMyBigToe]

I don't know if anyone is still following this but a small update.

I phoned Nippers again today and as expected they refuted all my allegations, that it was my word against his, I received tuition blah blah blah. I did mention that I was taking this further and they went very quiet. I didn't get to say all my complaints, the man was quite dismissive and rude. He also said no one had ever complained about him before, yes that's because the instructor is a scary twat.

I also phoned the CAB helpline who logged the complaint and gave me legislation to quote in my complaint letter (supply of goods and services act 1982) and wording to use.

I only have a telephone number for the instructor so I guess I will have to send the letter to the company instead. And the DSA too I suppose.

What about small claims court, is there a chance I would win? I have evidence in the form of my new instructor who can give her impression of the level of competence I was at when she met me.

It is completely bizarre that there is not some list of instructors or something, because this guy is still out there teaching students, as are the other bad instructors on this thread. Still taking money to drive people in loops around towns. One of his other students was taking her twenty somethingth test whilst I was learning with him, that should have been my warning I suppose.

[EdwiniasRevenge]

Well done. Persue it as far as you can go.

Do write to the DSA as well as trading standards. As I said earlier I would probably write the same letter as long as you clearly point them to the service provision and behavioural complaints.

There is a list of instructors. If you are not on that list you can not take payment for tuition.

It is a pretty rigerous process to get onto that list. The tests involved are pretty tough, but the tuition part is essentially based on 45mins with an examiner role playing a pupil. So behabioural aspects not really tested fully. Politeness yes but not sustained behaviour. Pupil progression not really tested etc.

To stay on that list examiners are re-assessed every 2-4 years. Imo this is much less rigerous. The instructor chooses a pupil to teach. Chooses the topic. They can even choose a qualified driver. The examiner then sits in the back and watches a 'normal' lesson which can eadily be faked and/or set up to use a pupil that is predictable. A topic which you like etc.

It is for this reason that I encourage you to write to tge DSA. Their register is based on these checks every few years. The sorts of experience that you have had can't be seen on these check test. They can only be made aware (and with a bit of luck removed from the register) if people that have had problems report them.

Wrt small claims court - I would seak further advice (you don't want to end up paying fees if you lose). I think trading standards can take action against them on your behalf but I'm not 100% sure .

[ZombiesAteMyBigToe]

Thanks Edwinia.

I have the letter ready to go, just doing final checks for spellings etc. I'll send a copy to the DSA and the company and see what happens.

I was reading reviews and found two or three reviewers who have had a similar experience with what sounds like the same instructor, so I added another review giving my own experience. Shame I can't find these people and convince them to complain too.

He had a check test whilst I was learning with him, which he passed, but I know he chose the pupil he took very very carefully - I think it was one of his older female students.

[ZombiesAteMyBigToe]

Just sent the dsa a nice long complaint.

I need to work out how to work the printer and then Nippers can have a copy by recorded delivery too.

I've also left my opinion on several review sites and as I have lots of friends with teenage grandchildren and children I have also given them my experience. One was actually about to book with them but hasn't gone ahead now.

[ZombiesAteMyBigToe]

Just adding this on here.

Dsa got back to me today. If I want to proceed then they need my permission to send my email complaint to him and get his comments. I got the email yesterday and had a major wobble.

Then the anger kicked in, yes he will lie, yes he will bullshit, but this means it will be on his file. And the really mean part of me is pleased at the irritation and panic that this will cause him, I imagine his face when he gets contacted by the DSA. He was so proud of the fact that he hadn't had a single complaint against him, because he does such a good job of making sure people don't. Can't say that any more can you twatface.

It made me realise just how unregulated this industry is. Dsa went blah blah blah about check test which isn't exactly rigorous, given that you can use a family member, qualified driver or carefully selected pupil for your test. It also comes along with plenty of warning and preparation time. And if you intimidate your pupils into not complaining, woohoo, no worries. Unless you commit some motoring offences of course.

I've also decided to blog about this as this thread will combust in a few weeks and all the useful advice that I have received will disappear. There is very little on the Internet as well about this stuff.

[EdwiniasRevenge]

Just to let you know that I am still reading.

You need to persue this.

Well done for doing so to date

[HintofBream]

Edwinia, you are amazing, not just the eminence grise of CandyCrush.

[FondantNancy]

Well done for pursuing this. I'm guessing that there have probably been other complaints about this man (how could there not be?!) but perhaps they fell at the first hurdle of complaints (their word vs his). And they didn't have the power of mumsnet behind them.

Best of luck, OP. Post the blog here if you can, I will be following.

[EdwiniasRevenge]

Thanks hints

[ZombiesAteMyBigToe]

Thanks for all the good wishes. I have started the blog anyway, but I'll contact mumsnet as well.

Nippers guy seemed genuinely shocked that it was him and Steve himself said he had no complaints (he is very good at convincing people not to complain). There are two very similar complaints on reviewcentre in May 2013 and September 2012 - no manoevres etc.

Here:

www.reviewcentre.com/reviews152867.html

I'm the first one. I wish I could get in contact with these two, they would really add weight to my argument.

[ZombiesAteMyBigToe]

www.reviewcentre.com/reviews152867.html

Clickable link

[EdwiniasRevenge]

I had already looked at review centre and spotted you.

[ZombiesAteMyBigToe]

Edwinia. I have a few more places I want to leave reviews.

There is a positive one for him last year, last may, but its Clacton, his home town.

I had a driving lesson today with my lady instructor, who asked me what I wanted to practice and proceeded to do just that.

Still astonishes me every time.

Enjoying not doing his loops too.

[KateSMumsnet]

Hi all,

We're just going to move this to Other Subjects at the request of the OP.

[NeedSomeSun142]

my driving instructor used to fall asleep mid lesson!!!!!

[ZombiesAteMyBigToe]

passplease.blogspot.co.uk/


Here is the blog as mentioned, its a bit rough and ready as I'm using it as a record for myself mostly.

[RenterNomad]

You might want to namechange on MN now, as that blog is linked to your real name. God forbid you-know-who should find you on MN and keep track of your emotional life!

[ZombiesAteMyBigToe]

Thanks for the warning! I have to admit it had slipped my mind, i thought i was being clever by using a made up name on my blog.

I do already have a separate posting name on here for anything embarrassing/ hideous and i namechanged on here for my general name about a month ago. I'll check what I have posted under this name and then make a decision.

[RenterNomad]

[EdwiniasRevenge]

Looks good.

Where you comment that the reviewcentre reviews may not be the same name could you point out that one of them refers to an automatic instructor and that you were informed they only have 1 automatic instructor/or that this adds to the similarity between you and the other reviewer?

Do keep us posted how you go.

[ZombiesAteMyBigToe]

updating from the test centre. passed my test!

[PiggyPlumPie]

Well done !

Been lurking...