Instructor wont refund my money

I started driving in January and I started driving with the cheapest company around, I thought this would be a good idea as it saves money. But the guy I am driving with is not the most PC of men. He turns up late to every lesson, sometimes brings me back early from a lesson. His wife is in the back of the car during my driving lesons as well because she is training to be a driving instructor but surely she should do her own course. On my last lesson they were both on the phone which was very annoying to put up with, plus I had to ask which direction I was meant to be going at the junction. My instructor is also teaching me tackticks I don't need for my test such as bully boy tackticks. My dad rang him up and said that neither of us is happy with the service being given and politely asked for a refund on the lessons I have not yet had or booked. My instructor refused and said I have signed something which I havent....I am now worried he may forge my signiture onto that document.

What can i do?

Question by JO on 20th May 2008 at 04:57

Jo,

With driving lessons costing a fortune these days, it is a good idea to go with a cheap instructor. However an instructor who charges less money for a driving lesson should not really be compromising on the quality of the lesson. I think your driving instructor is completely out of order after reading your message and I think you should complain about him straight away.

If you haven't signed any papers, then don't worry as you will be able to sue him if he forges your signature. However you need to understand that if you do not have any contract stating that you've booked for block lessons, then it will be difficult for you to get your money back because he will deny the fact that you've already paid him in advance.

If you have a mobile phone which can record voice (or a similar gadget), try tricking him into a conversation where he admits taking the money from you so that you can use this evidence against him. You can also film him and his wife sitting at the back when you are driving and show them talking on the phone with a spy camera if possible.

If you don't mind losing the money (depending how much he owes you), then don't bother as you will need to gather solid evidence first and probably go to court to sue him but you can still lodge a complaint against him through the Driving Standards Agency and see where that leads you; they might help you recover your money or suggest better ways (by the way, DSA takes complaints very seriously).

Answer by Gices on 20th May 2008 at 06:49

Thank you for the reply and the advice. I have a little receipt kind of thing that basically says he was paid £300 for block lessons at such and such a time/date. It is now £195 that I have remaining. My dad rang the guy and said he wasn't happy with the lessons and I will not be carrying on with him so he would like a refund. I am prepared to go to court but won't that cost more money? I should have thought about this properly before I started driving and gone with someone that maybe slightly expensive, but will give quality lessons. I will try get my dad to ring him again and record the whole conversation.

Thanks

Answer by JO on 21st May 2008 at 07:12

JO,

Going to court will cost you money indeed and if you cannot prove him wrong then it will be a waste of time and money for you (not to mention the stress this is likely to cause). Try get your dad to talk to him and say that you are going to make an official complaint to the DSA unless he refunds you the remaining money (do that anyway afterwards though). Then ask people which driving instructors they've been with in your area and go with the one they recommend.

Good luck!

Answer by Gices on 26th May 2008 at 10:31