When your driving instructor puts the brakes on your test plans, it can be disappointing and frustrating. In this article, we’re answering the question: Why is my driving instructor refusing to send me for my test?
When should I take my driving test?
On average, most UK driving students will take between 40 and 45 lessons before their test but some will require less – and, of course, some may require more.
Why is my instructor refusing to send me for my test?
The job of a driving instructor carries a great deal of responsibility and the main objective is to only put safe and confident drivers onto the road. This means that your instructor has a duty to only put you forward for your test when you’re ready. In this section, we’ll explore some of the reasons that may lead your instructor to conclude that you’re not yet ready.
Safety first
It may be that during your driving lessons, you have experienced the occasional lapse of concentration which could, potentially, have led to an accident or incident. When driving, safety is the number one priority and your instructor has a duty to only send you for your test when he or she is confident that you do not pose a risk to yourself, to other drivers or to pedestrians.
Confidence
Nerves are often a factor when learning to drive – particularly for older learners. As well as reviewing your driving skills and knowledge, your instructor will also be assessing your confidence behind the wheel and will usually delay sending you for your test until you display a confident demeanor on the road.
Bad habits
Taking your test before you are ready can mean that you are more likely to develop bad habits when driving, which can lead to accidents and/ or fines.
Taking your driving test before you are ready will almost always lead to a failure – which in turn, means that you will ultimately spend more money on lessons. Additionally, this can impact an instructor’s standards check score, reflecting poorly on them and the company that they work for.
Driving instructors in the UK are regulated by the DVSA (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency) – and driving schools and teachers are monitored for the following over a rolling 12 month period:
- the average number of driving faults per test
- the average number of serious faults per test
- the percentage of tests where the driving examiner had to take physical action in the interests of public safety
- overall pass rate
An instructor may be subject to a penalty if he or she falls below the DVSA standard – which can have a knock on effect on their driving students.
What can I do if my instructor refuses to send me for a test?
A reputable driving instructor will always be honest with you about whether or not you are ready for your driving test but if you believe his or her decision to be wrong, the following steps may help:
- Feedback – Ask your instructor to explain to you, in specific terms, the reasons why he or she feels that you are not ready to take your test.
- Next step – If you still feel that the decision is incorrect, you might want to speak to a manager at the driving school and perhaps ask for an assessment by a different instructor.
Ultimately however, your instructor’s decision will stand. You can, in the UK, book a driving test for yourself without input from an instructor, however this is rarely recommended as a fail will mean additional costs in terms of lessons and the booking of a new test.
Don’t become a statistic
Becoming a driver carries great responsibility. Because of this, it’s essential that you undertake an adequate number of driving lessons to ensure that your driving is courteous and safe – and to ensure that you don’t lose your license when you’ve only just received it. Each year, almost 8000 new drivers lose their license in the UK; often because they simply were not yet ready to become a road user.