Is this worth pursuing?

Goose76

I finished my EDT lessons at the start of this year and applied for my test late February as my instructor felt I was ready.

then of course lockdown hit which added to the waiting time and there was nothing anyone could do about that. However, during a pre-test with my instructor a couple of weeks ago we agreed that I should check with the RSA if there was an issue with my application as even considering lockdown delays, this was a long wait for a test.

Then it transpired that my instructor never logged one of my lessons on the system, so (I think?) all the waiting up until now has been in vain. Instructor has now logged the lesson (eight months later) but I'm guessing I'm now at the bottom of the queue.

This is incredibly upsetting for obvious reasons and I'm seeing in the media that there are 8 month delays for the driving test. I've already waited 8 months.

questions:

- should I complain to the instructor's head office? (it's a large national company). My instructor is so lovely so I feel terrible doing this and they have apologised over text...but I can't understand how they didn't have their paperwork in order, especially with driving lessons cancelled for so long during lockdown, surely a quick check that all the pupil's online records were up to date would have been a sensible thing to do during that time???

- Is there anything the instructor or myself can do with the RSA to expedite my application as it's through no fault of my own that I'm now at the bottom of the waiting list?

J_R

Goose76 wrote: »

I finished my EDT lessons at the start of this year and applied for my test late February as my instructor felt I was ready.

then of course lockdown hit which added to the waiting time and there was nothing anyone could do about that. However, during a pre-test with my instructor a couple of weeks ago we agreed that I should check with the RSA if there was an issue with my application as even considering lockdown delays, this was a long wait for a test.

Then it transpired that my instructor never logged one of my lessons on the system, so (I think?) all the waiting up until now has been in vain. Instructor has now logged the lesson (eight months later) but I'm guessing I'm now at the bottom of the queue.

This is incredibly upsetting for obvious reasons and I'm seeing in the media that there are 8 month delays for the driving test. I've already waited 8 months.

questions:

- should I complain to the instructor's head office? (it's a large national company). My instructor is so lovely so I feel terrible doing this and they have apologised over text...but I can't understand how they didn't have their paperwork in order, especially with driving lessons cancelled for so long during lockdown, surely a quick check that all the pupil's online records were up to date would have been a sensible thing to do during that time???

- Is there anything the instructor or myself can do with the RSA to expedite my application as it's through no fault of my own that I'm now at the bottom of the waiting list?

Hi

Ask your driving instructor to intercede with the local RSA supervisor. Is is possible he could expedite your test date

MascotDec85

When did you apply for your test? That’s the time critical date in this situation. You’d have been on EDT hold. You won’t be at the bottom of the list.

J_R

Hi,

In February the OP had completed their EDT lessons and applied for a test date.

Unfortunately eight months later he discovered that the instructor had failed to upload all of the lessons to the RSA website.

Therefore through no fault of his own he was on "Hold" for eight months instead of in the normal driving test queue.

As this delay of eight months was solely the fault of the driving instructor, the onus is on him to rectify. Text apology alone does not suffice.

First and most important he should do his utmost to get him moved up the queue.

if he has a reasonable working relationship with his local RSA centre asking them to request an urgent cancellation. If not, then directly with RSA Ballina perhaps using his local TD as leverage.

Also whilst waiting for the test, because the delay was caused by him, as a simple goodwill gesture he should give the odd free refresher lesson.

MascotDec85

J_R wrote: »

Hi,

In February the OP had completed their EDT lessons and applied for a test date.

Unfortunately eight months later he discovered that the instructor had failed to upload all of the lessons to the RSA website.

Therefore through no fault of his own he was on "Hold" for eight months instead of in the normal driving test queue.

As this delay of eight months was solely the fault of the driving instructor, the onus is on him to rectify. Text apology alone does not suffice.

First and most important he should do his utmost to get him moved up the queue.

if he has a reasonable working relationship with his local RSA centre asking them to request an urgent cancellation. If not, then directly with RSA Ballina perhaps using his local TD as leverage.

Also whilst waiting for the test, because the delay was caused by him, as a simple goodwill gesture he should give the odd free refresher lesson.

My point being that now the lessons have, indeed, been uploaded the OP should find a test will be scheduled, imminently by the RSA as a matter of course

Goose76

Thanks all for the support. I will contact the instructor. It's awkward because we get on so well but business is business I guess, and these driving lessons weren't cheap and due to limited availability I took annual leave for some of them. I should have at least been entitled to the paperwork and lesson uploads being in order.

J_R

Goose76 wrote: »

Thanks all for the support. I will contact the instructor. It's awkward because we get on so well but business is business I guess, and these driving lessons weren't cheap and due to limited availability I took annual leave for some of them. I should have at least been entitled to the paperwork and lesson uploads being in order.

Hi,

You should not feel awkward. Anybody can make a mistake, however if a person is paid to provide a service and they fail. then they should be ready and willing to make amends.

Tell him how much and how his mistake has impacted on you and politely ask what is he willing to do to correct.

Let us know the outcome.

meathstevie

Personally I think if you want to approach your instructor to see if a bit of leverage can be applied here or there do it in an amicable manner.

Everyone makes a paperwork mistake every now and again, it does affect your waiting time but it doesn’t stop the sun from rising in the morning either. That’s sort of the tone I’d steer the conversation. Syrup catches flies, vinegar doesn’t.

J_R

meathstevie wrote: »

Personally I think if you want to approach your instructor to see if a bit of leverage can be applied here or there do it in an amicable manner.

Everyone makes a paperwork mistake every now and again, it does affect your waiting time but it doesn’t stop the sun from rising in the morning either. That’s sort of the tone I’d steer the conversation. Syrup catches flies, vinegar doesn’t.

How to get rid of fruit flies using a DIY fruit fly trap:

Make a trap with apple cider vinegar and plastic wrap.
Trap flies with a paper cone, vinegar, and old fruit.
Drown flies by leaving out a bowl of vinegar and dish soap.
.

Hi,

Bad example but agree with the advice.

Goose76

Politely but firmly stated my disappointment to the driving instructor again and was told that it was an RSA glitch on the system that didn't allow the lessons to be uploaded and it's a known issue. This contradicts a bit the first explanation and apology I got but I wasn't going to go down a rabbit hole arguing.

I was told there was nothing they could do to expedite or explain the situation to the RSA but I should keep ringing them to do so myself.

J_R

Goose76 wrote: »

Politely but firmly stated my disappointment to the driving instructor again and was told that it was an RSA glitch on the system that didn't allow the lessons to be uploaded and it's a known issue. This contradicts a bit the first explanation and apology I got but I wasn't going to go down a rabbit hole arguing.

I was told there was nothing they could do to expedite or explain the situation to the RSA but I should keep ringing them to do so myself.

Hi,

Rubbish.

It is a wonder that they did not put all the blame entirely on you for not checking that the lessons were uploaded.

Very obvious that the instructor did not advise you on the very first EDT lesson that you yourself should check the RSA website that they were uploaded correctly - otherwise you would have done so.

See:- MYEDT

It is also obvious that the instructor and the company do not have any kind of a friendly working relationship with the RSA.

When the lessons start again, telephone Ballina regularly requesting a cancellation

Best of luck.

Goose76

J_R wrote: »

Hi,

Rubbish.

It is a wonder that they did not put all the blame entirely on you for not checking that the lessons were uploaded.

Very obvious that the instructor did not advise you on the very first EDT lesson that you yourself should check the RSA website that they were uploaded correctly - otherwise you would have done so.

See:- MYEDT

It is also obvious that the instructor and the company do not have any kind of a friendly working relationship with the RSA.

When the lessons start again, telephone Ballina regularly requesting a cancellation

Best of luck.

Thank you very much for all your helpful responses, I really appreciate it.

Instructor has been texting me saying how XYZ pupil of theirs has got their test date now after continuing to ring the RSA. No mention of the tests being for essential workers only - a bit dubious ethically I think.