The Student Room Group

Instructor wants me to change test date

I'm due to do my test in about 10 days. I had a lesson this morning and messed up all my manoeuvres except bay parking. In the turn in the road I hot the kerb on both sides, however I haven't done this since I first learnt how to do the turn in the road. In parallel park I was too far from the kerb and I hit the kerb on my reverse round a corner :frown:

My instructor said to me he wants me to change my test too the end of January because if I made those mistakes I would fail my test. Also he said he doesn't want to me pass my test because I'm lucky on the day but because I'm a safe driver.

However I am feeling really ill today and was going to cancel my lesson because of it but didn't because my test is so soon. My instructor knew this but didn't seem to relate the fact I'm not well to me making mistakes with manoeuvres. I haven't made any mistakes like that for weeks. I'm really disappointed about changing my test and I really don't want to do it. I feel like I had a bad day and would like to test and see what happens.

Also I'm moving house to a different area(about 15 miles away) end of December/early January. My instructor doesn't cover this area. Sorry about the long post, I need to vent. I'm just not sure what to do :confused: I was feeling confident about my test until my lesson today :mad:

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Reply 1

Your instructor is just advising you what he felt after todays lesson. It may be the only lesson that you have driven that badly in, but he is trying to avoid you making those mistakes and failing you test because of it. That aside though, it would seem from what you are saying that you still want to do you test then, and at the end of the day it is your money, and it is you how has to put up with it if you fail (or if you pass!) I can't remember the notice that you have to give for test cancellations, but would you have time for another lesson with your instructor in a day or two, maybe when you are feeling better and see how that goes.

Tbh, if it was me I would be inclined to give it a go anyway, even if you fail, put it down to experience - you will know what to expect next time etc. But esp as you are moving soon as well I want to give it a go before that. Talk to your instructor and explain how you feel and see what he says - but its up to you really if you go ahead with it!

Reply 2

Why not say this to him and ask him to give you another chance next lesson to show whether you are ready or not?

Reply 3

Everyone has a bad lesson sooner or later. Better to get it out your system than muck up on the test =) Plus i think the cancellation date is something like 3 or 4 days before the day of your test

Reply 4

I think I'm going to ring up my instructor and tell him I'd like to give it a go anyway. He was talking to me about it at the end of the lesson but he said 'if you can change it then do', so I didn't actually tell him I didn't want to change it because it sounded like he'd decided for me.

And just in case I do fail(I'm feeling positive now :wink: ), can you recommend any good instructors in Nottingham(couldn't help noticing to of replies were from people in Nottingham).

Reply 5

Unfortunately my fantastic instructor had to give it up shortly after I finished due to recurring back issues, otherwise I would happily have recommended him. Without being too specific, which area of Nottingham? My younger sister starts lessons tomorrow and is supposedly using a good instructor.

Reply 6

pghstochaj
Unfortunately my fantastic instructor had to give it up shortly after I finished due to recurring back issues, otherwise I would happily have recommended him. Without being too specific, which area of Nottingham? My younger sister starts lessons tomorrow and is supposedly using a good instructor.

Around the Sherwood area.

Reply 7

I'll ask my sister when I am home from work then for you.

Reply 8

I'll at work at the moment, but I will let you know the names of the instructors I used. I used two in the end, both were good but I just got to the point with my first instructor where I wasn't improving anymore so swapped instructors after my 5th (!) test, mainly just to see if a change would help sort out the rut I seemed to have got stuck in with my driving.

But....think positive - you may well pass!:smile:

Reply 9

My sister just got in this morning and the instructor is called Barry...lol. I will let you know if i think he's any good when I hear about her first lesson.

Reply 10

Take the test - its your money - you got nothing to lose (apart from money!)

Reply 11

I've been ill for the last few days so my dad rang my instructor(and because I didn't dare :tongue:) to say I'm taking my test on the original date and he said there is no way I'm taking my test in his car. He said that I wasn't ready now because I've got worse in the last few weeks, but I was ready when I booked it. He also told my Dad it was my idea to book my test, when it wasn't at all and I never even mentioned it to him!

My dad's looking into me taking the test in his car, but I can't find out if I'm insured until tomorrow by which time I'll be in a lesson until 11.30. I'm supposed to have a driving lesson straight after and I don't know whether I want to go or not. If I do go and do well then there is a possibility my instructor will change his mind.

Reply 12

can u not pay another instructor and do it in his car and just say ur instructors car is unavailable.

Reply 13

emmakate
I've been ill for the last few days so my dad rang my instructor(and because I didn't dare :tongue:) to say I'm taking my test on the original date and he said there is no way I'm taking my test in his car. He said that I wasn't ready now because I've got worse in the last few weeks, but I was ready when I booked it. He also told my Dad it was my idea to book my test, when it wasn't at all and I never even mentioned it to him!

My dad's looking into me taking the test in his car, but I can't find out if I'm insured until tomorrow by which time I'll be in a lesson until 11.30. I'm supposed to have a driving lesson straight after and I don't know whether I want to go or not. If I do go and do well then there is a possibility my instructor will change his mind.


Right well to my original post, my sister had her first lesson today and I am not happy to recommend the bloke, sorry :frown: I just wasn't pleased with what I heard.

Your instructor is pretty adamant then, which suggests that he is pretty sure that you are not yet to "test standard" - I wouldn't let it knock your confidence at all because that doesn't make you a bad driver, just not ready yet. Either that or he is trying to rip you off, but once your dad called he probably wouldn't have followed through and it sounds like he would rather lose your custom than let you take a test in his name and in his car?

Most my friends at school used "Rana" - i see him around occasionally in Nottingham so he is still at it, plenty of them liked him but I have no personal experience. There is also an ADI on here from Nottingham (a female), maybe you could speak to her?

Reply 14

emmakate
I've been ill for the last few days so my dad rang my instructor(and because I didn't dare :tongue:) to say I'm taking my test on the original date and he said there is no way I'm taking my test in his car. He said that I wasn't ready now because I've got worse in the last few weeks, but I was ready when I booked it. He also told my Dad it was my idea to book my test, when it wasn't at all and I never even mentioned it to him!

My dad's looking into me taking the test in his car, but I can't find out if I'm insured until tomorrow by which time I'll be in a lesson until 11.30. I'm supposed to have a driving lesson straight after and I don't know whether I want to go or not. If I do go and do well then there is a possibility my instructor will change his mind.


Looks like its time to get a new instructor

When I was taking lessons it was *me* who suggested when to take a test and when to book it (i.e I was pro active and was booking a test about 6 weeks ahead of the time I suggested it)

Try and get a new instructor just for the tets if possible - tho I am not sure how many instructors will be happy to give their car to osmeone they do not know or are not confident in their abilities.

Reply 15

Would you let somebody you didn't consider to be up to test standard to drive your car, a car you rely on for your income and a day lost with it off the road is a day's wages? Doubt it.

Also, it's more than just the instructor's car but it's also their name at risk if they put forward a driver that isn't to test standard, it's not simply a rental service.

This assumes that the instructor is truthful, of course.

Reply 16

I've got a lesson with my instructor in an hour an half. I'm going to see what he says today, Hopefully I'll won't make a mess of the manoeuvres this time. I can understand him not wanting me to use his car if he doesn't think I'm at test standard. The problem I have is that he seems to have come to that decision from one lesson(although I was admittedly rubbish!).

I can take the test in my dad's car and BSM were willing to give me an assessment lesson and if they judge me to be ok then take me for my test. I'm having the lesson with my instructor though to see what he says and I'll take it from there.

After 40 lessons and alot of private practice I think I'm just irritated at my test being delayed as I do want to have a go at a test and see what the outcome is. Well I suppose I'll just have to see how it goes today and make a decision from there.

Reply 17

Hope it goes ok, remember what I said about there being a ADI from Nottingham on here.

Reply 18

Thanks pghstochaj, you've been really helpful.

Reply 19

No problem :smile: How did it go?