Driving Test available, but not required

vector

I got a letter today with a driving test appointment date.

This test is not required

(the reason, not that it matters is that I had been waiting so long for the Irish one, I have since done, and passed the test in Northern Ireland, and now have a UK licence)

But anyway, the key point is this test is not required

I was going to cancel it, but then they won't refund the EUR 38 I paid at the time of applying! What a rip-off, So I now have no incentive to cancel the test, infact they don't have a freefone/freepost so it would cost me money to call or write to them, and for no result.

What should I do? (poll)

testicle

Cancel it, let someone else have a chance.

Mossy Monk

testicle wrote:

Cancel it, let someone else have a chance.

agreed. give someone else the test and count your losses

Supercell

Why won't they refund you??, they refunded me fine for the second test I had booked for the motorbike (in case i failed the first one) without any problem ?

As long as you give reasonable notice then its should be fine afaik (unless your test is in the next week..surely its five weeks away as standard ?)
Its the right thing to do, you get your dosh back and someone else gets to sit their test in your place.

vector

Longfield wrote:

Why won't they refund you??, they refunded me fine for the second test I had booked for the motorbike (in case i failed the first one) without any problem.../QUOTE]

its 3.5 weeks away I got the letter today, a phoned them, they said it was "policy" that the fee was "non-refundable" the only thing they can do is reschedule the test date.

Maybe if I call tomorrow I'll get through to someone else? is that what you did to get the refund?

Supercell

vector wrote:

Longfield wrote:

Why won't they refund you??, they refunded me fine for the second test I had booked for the motorbike (in case i failed the first one) without any problem.../QUOTE]

its 3.5 weeks away I got the letter today, a phoned them, they said it was "policy" that the fee was "non-refundable" the only thing they can do is reschedule the test date.

Maybe if I call tomorrow I'll get through to someone else? is that what you did to get the refund?

Sounds like you had some jobsworth. I called up and said I passed my test can you cancel my other one, she said fine and explictly stated that i'd be refunded. The refunding bit toook about 8 weeks but it did happen!!

If the silly buggers will only let you reschedule ask to speak to a manager ...they definately do refunds..heres the proof (its rather crumpled as I havent got to a bank yet to cash it, but the pic tells the story)

vector

Longfield,

excellent

wingnut

Get the Irish licence. I think you could avoid points in the UK by producing an Irish licence. I think the north - south points are soon going to travel.

leeroybrown

wingnut wrote:

Get the Irish licence. I think you could avoid points in the UK by producing an Irish licence. I think the north - south points are soon going to travel.

If he's resident here he should be able to transfer his northern licence anyway.

I'd go with the option of cancelling it even if there is no refund mainly so someone can get a chance to sit it during that slot instead.

John R

wingnut wrote:

Get the Irish licence. I think you could avoid points in the UK by producing an Irish licence. I think the north - south points are soon going to travel.

It is against the rules to apply for an Irish licence if another EU licence is held, not that they would know about it.

Our man in Havana

Longfield wrote:

vector wrote:

Sounds like you had some jobsworth. I called up and said I passed my test can you cancel my other one, she said fine and explictly stated that i'd be refunded. The refunding bit toook about 8 weeks but it did happen!!

If the silly buggers will only let you reschedule ask to speak to a manager ...they definately do refunds..heres the proof (its rather crumpled as I havent got to a bank yet to cash it, but the pic tells the story)

The good old Pay Master General. Always good for a few bob!

vector

I phoned 096 78289 and spent over 12minutes in a queue and hung up,
I also tried 096 24200, but no one answered! and it was withing their morning hours of 09.30-12.30, ahh thats 20cents down the drain.

I'm outside the Republic so I can't call their 1890, I had a friend there call it and conference me in, the cancellation menue is automated I cancelled and it said thanks, but no chance to talk to a human and ask fora refund.

I emailled them but they don't read emails, they have an autoresponder which tells you your email was a waste and instead to phone or write.

So I will now write them a paper letter.

Cerdito

How about taking the test and seeing how many faults you can clock up for a laugh? i.e. drift the car around every corner

dingding

Typical, they could probably shorten the queue and make better use of testers if they improved the test cancellation procedure.