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Appealing a driving test.
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Right, basically, I've failed my driving test, and want to appeal that the test was not conducted properly, or fairly. (Which I've also been advised by two instructors to do)
I've read the sheet they've given me, and it says I need to apply to a "Magistrate's Court acting for the Petty Sessions Area in which you reside". I don't really know what this means, if I'm honest, and I doubt my mum will either. How would we go about doing this?
I've read the sheet they've given me, and it says I need to apply to a "Magistrate's Court acting for the Petty Sessions Area in which you reside". I don't really know what this means, if I'm honest, and I doubt my mum will either. How would we go about doing this?
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What makes you think it was unfair?
........... Umm.... Citizens Advice Bureau maybe? How would I go about that?
Four things:
First - I got 1 major for reversing "too slow" when doing my reverse round a corner. I was a perfectly fine distance away from the kerb (I have no minors for the manouveure, so I assume everything like my checks were fine), and I hadn't actually completed the manouveure (still half way around the corner) when she made me stop and drive on.
Second - I got a major for being in the left hand lane of a roundabout to go "straight ahead". It's a funny roundabout, because it's on a motorway junction, but I was taking the second exit and the first was the motorway anyway. But I still believe (as does my instructor) I should have been in the left hand lane.
Third - While driving, she asked me "Are you nervous?". When I said yes, she commented "Perhaps you've put in for your test too early then", in a rather bitter tone, which made me feel worse tbh.
Fourth - When I double checked I'd heard her instruction correctly at a roundabout, she cut me short and responded (quite snappily) with "Well count the exits, even if a person does not know this area they can still pass their test here!"
I understand that appealing doesn't change the test result, but I feel really upset, and both my instructor, and another instructor at the test centre who he knows are quite amazed atthis reasoning.
Kermit will spot this thread in a mo and add on if I've missed anything.
You should really speak to the Citizens Advice Bureau about pursuing the appeal, and they will be able to help you with the court paperwork.
I personally wouldn't bother, but at the same time that is how incompetent examiners keep their jobs. Many of her decisions seem to be judgement-based, and her judgement is not appealable.
That's what I would call it tbh, I felt picked on and upset by her. I'm definetely not retaking my test at that test centre. I'll speak to the CAB tomorrow (just had a look and they're not open today by the time my mum gets back) and see what they say
As Jim V says, making an official complaint against the examiner is likely to reap more rewards.
The DSA, as a Government agency, have to have a complaints procedure. Give them a call and find out what it is.
I know that, even though I feel I shouldn't of failed, I'm willing to take the test again, but the likelyhood of it being at that test centre is slim, because I find the reasons I've failed unfair, especially the reverse around a corner, as I wasn't even able to complete the manouveure.
How would I go about this then? It gives no information on this that I can find.
Except if you go to a good local restaurant, then they'll give you a free dessert or something, but generally the service is normally tip top
As for getting a major in being in the left hand lane, I was told by instructors and I'm sure it's the highway code that you should always try and remain in the left-most lane possible, even at roundabouts. Only go in the right lane for turning right or overtaking or if theres a big queue in the left lane at a junction
EX-BLOODY-ACTLY! I was the only bloody car on my junction, I went into the left hand lane, gave way to the right, waited for them, then set off around the roundabout, exactly as I've been taught.
Ahh I've rang that number anyway, and they've given me an email address to contact. I'm going to email them now, but I've been told to include her name, obviously. Her name is Val, but on my copy of the report her surname isn't clear, it looks like "Battison" though I can't be sure.
They're likely to have a record of the test though and which examiner took it if I give all other details, and explain I can't read the name clearly though, right?
Many left hand lanes aproaching roundabouts are left turn only. If this were the case at this particualr roundabout then it would be a major fault.
It wasn't the case, as the left hand turn is the motorway junction, and there is another, which you would use the right hand lane for probably(wouldn't know as I've obviously never driven on the motorway). I've gone the same way on a previous test and wasn't marked down on it then.
Most of the time the left hand lane is for turing left and goign straight on, with the right hand lane being for exits further round.
Sometimes though, the left hand lane is for turing left only and the right hand lane for going straight on and any other exit.
You seem to have been having lots of problems with driving tests, maybe it would be worth having your driving instructor sit in on the next one.
It sounds like you're not in a position to appeal the result and ask for a retest but you'd be best making a complaint. Sorry.
Except when the left hand lane is dedicated first exit only which is what I failed my test on :rolleyes: Oops
I did mention that thats what I've done now. I'm not expecting a retest, or a change in the verdict, I just felt very bullied and that I shouldn't of failed for things I've done perfectly the same and not been marked down on on previous tests.
It's not just a sulky thing because I haven't passed - I've failed 5 times before this, and I can accept why, but with this I truly feel I didn't deserve to fail and I don't appriciate being shouted at on test.
But then it wouldn't be 'the most left hand lane possible', as I stated. (Just trying to prove I'm not an idiot)
Hmm. Really I think that the balance of evidence is against you winning an appeal, really. But go ahead and try if you think it will help. I think it's fairly likely that, in the stressful situation of the test, you interpreted the examiners remarks more harshly than they may have been intended.
Also I'm not sure that it follows that you shouldn't be marked down for something in one test when you haven't been marked for it before, because it can vary depending on what is happening on the roads.
I suggest that you stick at the same test centre, because otherwise you will be taking your test on less familiar routes.
Is completely unprofessional of an examiner to say.
haha I know I was totally wrong
I was completely the opposite for my driving test, I had 3 bad experiences. I just find the examiner puts the atmosphere at a level that rises the tension greatly. I was very, very nervous taking all 3 of the driving tests and the nerves grew for each 1 as i failed each 1. I found that the examiners did nothing to help ease the nerves for me and I felt that they were consistently 'looking' for any error they could find. I would try to make conversation but it would just end abruptly or I would have to stop talking to concentrate.
When I take my test again I am going to have to do something to help with the nerves, one friend advised a hypnotist helped his nerves. I am going to try again once university is finished and I actually have a bank statement that reads "credit" instead of "debit".