Requesting a different driving tester

Recon

My wife recently failed her driving test. Her driving tester, we found out afterwards, has a reputation around town of being a bit of a hardass on a power trip and this apparently lead to him being off work for a number of months and he’s back now.

His behaviour was ok (not as bad as it was before), he tested my sister in law a few years ago and was very rude. So maybe he learned to calm down a little.

Anyway, to get to my question. I read the FAQ and didn’t see this there.

Is it possible to request an “anyone but him tester” for a driving test?

Seve OB

just apply to a different test centre

paleoperson

Do you really need to ask this question? I highly doubt they would allow it and it would be unprofessional if they did.

According to them all testers are competent and professional. Word going around town that he's a tough tester or rude is not grounds for obtaining another tester. In the end he will have a percentage of pass and fails and it can't be that bad. I also don't understand how he could be on a "power trip" as there is no verbal exchange during the test or than directions.

Cork Trucker

The only time a different driving tester has been brought in especially for a test ws the guy here in Cork who has failed 17 times. That aside you pretty much have to take who you get. Every driver tester i have had i found they were more than courteous and transparent at all times, i've done tests in 4 different centre's across 3 counties without a hitch, i got marks where i deserved to etc.

Seve OB

Cork Trucker wrote: »

, i've done tests in 4 different centre's across 3 counties without a hitch,

bit of an oxymoron this

eh, i think you might find there was a hitch....... unless you are doing tests for other people

caldew

Yes, you can ask not to be with a particular examiner but you might have to wait a bit longer for your test.

Contact RSA.

paleoperson

caldew wrote: »

Yes, you can ask not to be with a particular examiner but you might have to wait a bit longer for your test.

Contact RSA.

You need a valid reason. I just contacted them and they asked for a reason.

Abba987

paleoperson wrote: »

You need a valid reason. I just contacted them and they asked for a reason.

Because he's intimidating. If it were me though I'd go to a different centre altogether

Sonny noggs

Seve OB wrote: »

bit of an oxymoron this

eh, i think you might find there was a hitch....... unless you are doing tests for other people

Or getting different categories of licence (he is a truck driver...)

mawk

I contacted the RSA a few years ago due to a very, very unpleasant driver tester in Cork. This tester was rude, and very distracting as I was driving, making dismissive sounds and gestures.

When I told my driving instructor who I got, as I went back for more lessons, he said that tester is well known for failing people all the time. They bring him up from Kerry a few times a year, and he fails EVERYONE regardless of ability.

I had no problem failing, as I knew I was a nervous driver to begin with. Why is why I also did plenty of lessons. I had failed two times previously, and the first two driving testers were neutral and pleasant throughout the experience. Neutral and pleasant being the key words here.

I contacted the RSA via email to say that if they ever give me this tester again, I am not doing the test with him. He was that bad. And I am not the type to send off angry complaints. I am normally very quiet.

The RSA defended him, as expected, saying that they had talked to this tester, and he said his conduct throughout the test was perfect.

As I went in for 4th and final test, my tester was the same one who I got on the 2nd test. He asked me how I was getting on and how the previous test went, and who I did it with. I told him, and he replied, 'Oh him, they bring him up from Kerry a few times a year to fail everyone.' He also told me that he is a very unpleasant man.

He is well-known to the other testers and to the instructors.

Go and send that email if the tester has not conducted himself/herself neutrally and respectfully during your driving test. And be assertive-I had to assert myself twice in those emails.

paleoperson

Abba987 wrote: »

Because he's intimidating.

I said legitimate reason. I'm talking about something like you know them or they know of you indirectly, something like that.

Calling someone "intimidating" is an accusation, you could at least say you find them or have heard they are "intimidating". Even if someone was "intimidating" it's hard to imagine how this would disrupt the testing process in any way.

DesperateDan

paleoperson wrote:

Do you really need to ask this question? I highly doubt they would allow it and it would be unprofessional if they did.

It might be unprofessional but it wouldn't arise if the tester wasn't unprofessional in the first place.

paleoperson wrote:

According to them all testers are competent and professional.

"According to them" would be the issue in the first place alright.

paleoperson wrote:

Word going around town that he's a tough tester or rude is not grounds for obtaining another tester. In the end he will have a percentage of pass and fails and it can't be that bad. I also don't understand how he could be on a "power trip" as there is no verbal exchange during the test or than directions

Easy to be on a power trip without saying anything, the tester's whole job is to sit there quietly and mark fairly. Very easy to not do the latter.

mawk

As a side note, I was given another test date within 2 weeks, only because they didn't have a long queue at the time. You might not necessarily be waiting a long time before getting another test date.

tuxy

Everyone should be doing their test in Clifden!
Beautiful part of the country too.

https://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Driving-Test-Centre/Pass-Rates/

paleoperson

DesperateDan wrote: »

It might be unprofessional but it wouldn't arise if the tester wasn't unprofessional in the first place.

Why not? Plenty of people call wolf all the time especially if they feel frustrated or hard done by. Are we really at the stage where you just automatically believe the accuser?

DesperateDan wrote: »

"According to them" would be the issue in the first place alright.

Yes and how one person feels isn't grounds to change tester any more than it is to change judges. If you get a harsh judge - tough ****.

DesperateDan wrote: »

Easy to be on a power trip without saying anything, the tester's whole job is to sit there quietly and mark fairly. Very easy to not do the latter.

As has been stated, every tester will have to have reasonable pass and fail rates. And if they did not, ie. if one tester was harsher than another, then you have to go in with partly the luck of the draw that you get an easier tester. Noone should get an advantage in this.

Cork Trucker

Sonny noggs wrote: »

Or getting different categories of licence (he is a truck driver...)

.................... and a biker, and a bus driver :pac:

Cork Trucker

Seve OB wrote: »

bit of an oxymoron this

eh, i think you might find there was a hitch....... unless you are doing tests for other people

There was a fifth wheel on my artic, that's a hitch

JohnMc1

tuxy wrote: »

Everyone should be doing their test in Clifden!
Beautiful part of the country too.

https://www.rsa.ie/en/RSA/Learner-Drivers/The-Driving-Test/Driving-Test-Centre/Pass-Rates/

I'm thinking of doing it there too. Kilkenny's pass rates is terrible. Its been under 50% for as long as I've been here [since 2005]

tuxy

I remember when Birr was the place to go if you wanted to pass but the fail rate is much higher there now even though the town layout is the same I think.

JohnMc1

mawk wrote: »

I contacted the RSA a few years ago due to a very, very unpleasant driver tester in Cork. This tester was rude, and very distracting as I was driving, making dismissive sounds and gestures.

When I told my driving instructor who I got, as I went back for more lessons, he said that tester is well known for failing people all the time. They bring him up from Kerry a few times a year, and he fails EVERYONE regardless of ability.

And then they wonder why people think this is just a money making scam. When they intentionally bring people like him into just to fail everyone so they can charge another €90.

tuxy

If it was a money making scam then why not have lower pass rates in all areas of the country?

Sounds more like an instructor being forced to cover an area he does not want to travel to and taking it out on the be people he is testing.

dsmythy

tuxy wrote: »

If it was a money making scam then why not have lower pass rates in all areas of the country?

Sounds more like an instructor being forced to cover an area he does not want to travel to and taking it out on the be people he is testing.

Sounds like porky pies to me. Surely they'd question him when they check out the pass rates and he's failed "everyone".