Driving test and "print your own" insurance disc

powerstar · 02-10-2014 07:42PM #1

Hi Guys, I need your opinion about this.
Today tester did not conduct driving test saying my insurance disc is not valid. I bought insurance online( AXA website) and here is the email I got from AXA saying I can print disc using color printer

"Please note that your disc is only valid if you print this on a colour printer ensuring the green band along the left hand side is shown. This is in accordance with Road Traffic (Insurance Disc) Regulations of 1984. If you do not have access to a colour printer, please call us on 1890 24 7 365 or drop into your local brand to request one"

So, My disc is printed in colour with green band along the left hand side. I have showed this email in my phone to tester but he did not listen. So I have to re apply and pay the fee again.

I know RSA wants to display original disc but if this is not valid why AXA telling to print them in colour? Garda also checked this disc in their routine checking but they did not say any thing. I rang the AXA and they are saying they never heard this thing and it's valid once it's colour print.

I rang the RSA also but they want only original. So what should I do now ? Is this happened to any one, as many people buy them online.

It's very disappointing.

Please share your opinions.

Moneymaker · 02-10-2014 07:44PM

Sounds like you met a tosser of an instructor.

They live in Bizarro World.

I doubt there's much you can do now.

Craftylee · 02-10-2014 08:19PM

I certainly wouldn't pay for the test again - I would take this further. Either the RSA or Axa is at fault here, not you

kip2014 · 02-10-2014 08:36PM

Hi powerstar,

I agree with Craftylee, I would advise logging a complaint with both parties and referring it on to the ombudsman if you do not get a satisfactory resolution.

powerstar · 02-10-2014 08:50PM

I just emailed to RSA and I rang the AXA, the girl told me they will call me back tomorrow. I will wait and see what happens. Thanks for your input guys.

I think if this disc valid for Garda and not for RSA, that does not make sense.
AXA girl told me there is miscommunication between RSA and AXA , she is gonna check with her team lead and will call me back.

Chris_Heilong · 02-10-2014 11:19PM

How did he know it was printed? I have been printing my own discs for years, its the way XS direct insurance used to do it, they email you the Disc so when you pay your insurance you get the Disc straight away, it was dead handy.

powerstar · 03-10-2014 08:29AM

Hi Chris_Heilong, He compared with last year disc which is just behind this year disc. Last year I bought insurance from Chill so they send me in the post but this year was online.

Peter Flynt · 03-10-2014 08:31AM

The original disc is printed by colour printer. . . .What did the RSA guy think it was printed by?

powerstar · 03-10-2014 08:36AM

I am not sure what he was thinking, But my disc is printed in colour green band along the left side. Even I showed to my driving instructor she couldn't believe it. She took a photo of it and said she would share this info with other instructors.
She always checked my insurance disc, nct and motor tax before my class. Never had a problem.

Craftylee · 03-10-2014 02:41PM

Glad to see you're taking this further - this could be a big issue and at least it's on there radar now. Worst comes to the worst I would bring this to the attention of the Ombudsmen

powerstar · 14-10-2014 10:13AM

Just to update on this, I got reply from RSA. They are going with tester and saying my disc is invalid because it's printed. I have asked them all sorts of questions like why it's valid with gards and not with RSa ? But there is only one standard line of answer like " your test was not conducted because of invalid disc( printed)". Is there any place I can take this further? I am still waiting to hear from AXA.

ash23 · 14-10-2014 10:17AM

From working in insurance, we used to print certificates on a colour printer but it was on special certificate paper which had various security features (numbered and recorded, watermark etc).
This paper was delivered securely and kept in a safe.

I didn't know that a garda would accept a regular paper certificate.

powerstar · 14-10-2014 11:04AM

ash23 wrote: »

From working in insurance, we used to print certificates on a colour printer but it was on special certificate paper which had various security features (numbered and recorded, watermark etc).
This paper was delivered securely and kept in a safe.

I didn't know that a garda would accept a regular paper certificate.

Yes, you are correct their paper is different. I have used regular A4 sheet to print my disc. . Now I got the new disc in post and I have compared both of them. It's only they use different paper.

But AXA only asking customers to print them. One of the other poster also said he is printing them from XS insurance.

ash23 · 14-10-2014 11:15AM

powerstar wrote: »

Yes, you are correct their paper is different. I have used regular A4 sheet to print my disc. . Now I got the new disc in post and I have compared both of them. It's only they use different paper.

But AXA only asking customers to print them. One of the other poster also said he is printing them from XS insurance.

I'd place a complaint with Axa then. They really should be advising people that the printed disc won't be accepted for driving tests. They can't just fob you off in that manner.
I wouldn't waste my time complaining to the RSA as they state on their website "The vehicle must display a current valid original Insurance Disc (white background with a green band extending along left hand side)"

Axa are advising you to print it off and that it is acceptable to do this over getting a certificate and disc from them on certificate paper.

Look up their website to see how you can make a complaint. Emailing a query is not the same as stating you wish to make a complaint. Emailed queries will just be a generic response. An official complaint will be handled differently through the appropriate channels.

If Axa still maintain they are in the right they will issue a final response advising you that you can then take the complaint to the Financial Service Ombudsman.

Craftylee · 15-10-2014 02:49PM

I'd say if anyone's at fault it's Axa - they were the ones saying if it's printed with the green strip then it's valid. Which turned out to be not true. I use Axa myself and mine is printed at home - wonder if I'm legally covered?

powerstar · 16-10-2014 09:05AM

Thanks guys for your inputs. I got reply from AXA. They are taking this matter further with RSA and said they are going to refund driving test money ( 85 Euros) to me. I have asked them how long does take refund process? Hopefully It won't happen to any one in the future.

cruizer101 · 16-10-2014 11:05AM

Its hassle and stress you could do without having to resit test but it is good of axa to refund without hassle.

kerry4sam · 17-10-2014 12:01AM

powerstar wrote: »

Thanks guys for your inputs. I got reply from AXA. They are taking this matter further with RSA and said they are going to refund driving test money ( 85 Euros) to me. I have asked them how long does take refund process? Hopefully It won't happen to any one in the future.

Well that's something at least. Hope your preparations are going well for your test

Deenie123 · 17-10-2014 12:05AM

I have my insurance from Axa and I printed mine when I paid for the policy. Then a few days later I got a proper one in the post automatically. Like the OP, I was told it would be accepted as long as I printed it in colour.

Triangle · 17-10-2014 12:31AM

the RSA are in the wrong. I've looked into this in detail and the law just states the look of the disc ie size, paper, green band, etc.
the central bank have confirmed and they regulate the insurance market.
Your disc is legal and the rsa have no right to refuse you, imo.
if it was me , I'd ask them under what article is the disc invalid then take it further.

powerstar · 17-10-2014 09:16AM

Triangle wrote: »

the RSA are in the wrong. I've looked into this in detail and the law just states the look of the disc ie size, paper, green band, etc.
the central bank have confirmed and they regulate the insurance market.
Your disc is legal and the rsa have no right to refuse you, imo.
if it was me , I'd ask them under what article is the disc invalid then take it further.

Hi Triangle, Yes, You are correct. RSA also wrong, because in the guidelines they mentioned only about colour print with greenband. My disc was exactly like that. I have asked them several times, but they did not answer all those questions, just saying my disc is inavlid. They are going by what tester told them. I don't have much say. AXA took all details like testing time, test center and said would follow up with RSA. Hopefully It will change after this. I am sure there are many people who prints discs, but I am the unlucky one who went to the driving test.

the butcher · 16-03-2015 11:04AM

powerstar wrote: »

Hi Triangle, Yes, You are correct. RSA also wrong, because in the guidelines they mentioned only about colour print with greenband. My disc was exactly like that. I have asked them several times, but they did not answer all those questions, just saying my disc is inavlid. They are going by what tester told them. I don't have much say. AXA took all details like testing time, test center and said would follow up with RSA. Hopefully It will change after this. I am sure there are many people who prints discs, but I am the unlucky one who went to the driving test.

Just to let you know it's still happening - I have an AXA Insurance disc and I was refused on Friday gone. So frustrating...

jimmycrackcorm · 16-03-2015 02:29PM

the butcher wrote:

Just to let you know it's still happening - I have an AXA Insurance disc and I was refused on Friday gone. So frustrating...

I think you should get a solicitor to wrote to them and ask them on what grounds they state it is invalid. Include documentation from AXA about printing the disc and references to the RTA regarding disc requirements.

My own insurance is AXA also but through AA. I have a preprinted cert and disc but I did my insurance via AA.

seamus · 16-03-2015 02:38PM

I imagine the RSA's get-out clause here is the word "original". Basically meaning the hardcopy disc must have been supplied by the insurance company.

Banks do this all the time when asking for utility bills - asking for "original" bills, meaning they won't accept statements printed from PDF, even if you don't receive paper bills.

jimmycrackcorm · 17-03-2015 07:56PM

seamus wrote:

I imagine the RSA's get-out clause here is the word "original". Basically meaning the hardcopy disc must have been supplied by the insurance company.

But in this case AXA are saying by sending an email that there is no such thing as an original. It can be argued that the print from the email is the original.

Craftylee · 18-03-2015 12:57PM

Did you lose your €85 for the test? Or did you reschedule?

If you lost the money I would honestly push this further - perhaps even legally.

sydthebeat · 21-04-2017 03:26PM

Just a heads up for anyone who is in this situation

My daughter just went for her driving test today and the tester refused to do it because he said the AXA "print your own" insurance disc is not legally acceptable.

He said AXA know this yet are doing nothing about it.

sydthebeat · 21-04-2017 06:55PM

still happening....

my daughters test refused today because of this..

such bullsh!te becuase either
a) the RSA should be clear that the do not accept "printed out" discs
b) AXA shouldnt be offering them as a legal document

jimmycrackcorm · 22-04-2017 02:23AM

sydthebeat wrote:

such bullsh!te becuase either a) the RSA should be clear that the do not accept "printed out" discs b) AXA shouldnt be offering them as a legal document

The authenticity of the disc is from the insurer. Someone needs to take the RSA to task on this legally as the legal requirements are specified in

S.I. No. 355/1984 - Road Traffic (Insurance Disc) Regulations, 1984.

There is nothing about special paper or any other requirement than that detailed. All discs are printed documents.

At the very least I think publication of the details of a cheap small claims court case to reclaim the fees against the RSA might get them to cop on.

georgefalls · 22-04-2017 08:10AM

Same with 123.ie

I wasn't aware its illegal though

sydthebeat · 22-04-2017 08:14AM

georgefalls wrote: »

Same with 123.ie

I wasn't aware its illegal though

After doing some reading since it seems its not actually illegal but something the RSA have an issue with.

Typical Irish issue.

Driving test and "print your own" insurance disc

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