What’s the moral of this story?
That situation is absolutely wrong and I’m sure would have got sorted with a complaint. This assumes the facts are exactly as stated.
Pete 
It’s 100% true sadly. He passed his test the week after and wasn’t charged by the school for the test fee. It’s clearly rare but it does happen.
I don’t understand why the school paid the test fee. It sounds as though they did nothing wrong and that the vehicle behaved properly. They cannot reclaim the fee from DSA as a result of a complaint as the issue has to be dealt with by the trainee.
For folks reading this thread, it’s really important to understand that justified complaints against DSA are very rare. But there is a system in place and IME real complaints are dealt with quickly and, where found to be proved, a test fee is refunded.
I wouldn’t want anyone to get the impression that complaints are an option just because they didn’t like the outcome of the test.
Pete
The DSA registered instructor (owner) felt sorry for the unemployed guy. The problem with making a complain is the fear to be black listed. Yes I agree there is no reasons to be black listed but I am sure most you understand the fears.
The DSA registered instructor (owner) felt sorry for the unemployed guy. The problem with making a complain is the fear to be black listed. Yes I agree there is no reasons to be black listed but I am sure most you understand the fears.
That’s good to hear. I’ve done similar from time to time - - it’s important to get the result.
Apart from candidates offering physical or verbal abuse, there is no black list.
Pete
Peter Smythe:
Apart from candidates offering physical or verbal abuse, there is no black list.Pete
I hear you there but it’s a small world 
@noney82,a shame your brother had failed. I failed my first reverse at Bredbury,as I hit the barrier to my right,as I was trying locate the cones in the n/s mirror. I balls’ed up but passed the second time. Your brother needs to be specific whether it was more than just ‘touched the line’. My Examiner was sound,it helps to conversate with them a bit,at the same time understand what he is there for.
Theshrew:
noney82:
Thank you all for your replies. It was at Bredbury test centre in Stockport. I hear what your all saying and I too wasn’t there to see it so hard to say. I don’t get it as he’s been out driving with me for past 4 weeks because my gaffer put him on our insurance and he was spot on with his reversing when I let him have a drive between jobs. Gaffer has even got him job at our place waiting for him.I think the test centre is the same place as the pretty busy MOT centre ( its been years since ive been so forgive me if im wrong )
If that’s the case its pretty common for horns to be going off all the time.
It’s no longer mot, bikes, cars and hgv training these days
LGVTrainer:
There have been trainers on this thread with experience of complaining about an examiner. Here is my opinion based on 33 years experience.I have witnessed trainers encouraging candidates to complain. I have also accompanied candidates on test where the examiner has made awful errors. I have seen occasions where the DSA has supported the complaint with a free retest. What generally happens is that the examiner is subjected to an investigation. The retest usually takes place with a senior examiner present.
All goodwill between the examiner and trainer is lost. That goodwill can take months/years to build. That goodwill is absolutely vital for future candidates who need assurance of a fair and friendly experience on test.
Please trust me. There is zero to be gained by complaining about a test. The trainer can have a quiet word privately with the examiner afterwards.
I hope I have made my point.
I see what your saying, he’s booked retest for Wednesday next week and took it on the chin.
K27:
@noney82,a shame your brother had failed. I failed my first reverse at Bredbury,as I hit the barrier to my right,as I was trying locate the cones in the n/s mirror. I balls’ed up but passed the second time. Your brother needs to be specific whether it was more than just ‘touched the line’. My Examiner was sound,it helps to conversate with them a bit,at the same time understand what he is there for.
I think that with the exam moving the cones as my brother was drawing forward after the examiner signalled him to do, and the air horn blasting contributed to his failure. My brother swears blind that his wheel was few miles on the line. But I wasn’t there so have to take his word.
I think that certain changes should be made to how tests are carried out. I know from when I was a taxi driver and was having a bad day I found myself a bit off with customers(not professional I kmow) and I think we are all the same. So if a examiner was having a bad day then what chance does some nervous as hell man/woman have with examiner in a bad mood. As said if you think you have failed unfairly then it’s do you or don’t you complain and make things worse for the future trainees coming through the training school who’s putting the complaint in. Something like having the reverse area covered by cctv and maybe cams in the cabs watching/listening to the driver and examiner And also a cam facing out the vehicle. So that way if there is ever a ‘I’ve been failed unfairly’ situation the DSA can look into it and see what has actually happened. It’s like when I did my test I tried to make small talk with my examiner and he was just grunting back at me, I thought to myself "what a c**k this guy is. After getting back to Bredbury, doing my reverse he was a completely different person, so I get they have to put some sort of front on.
What gets me with my brothers situation is how the examiner came walking towards him waving his hands about, then jumped in the cab and told him that a serious sorry but you’ve failed, go Park the truck up. I thought that they weren’t meant to tell you until you had completed the rest of the test.
Thank you all for your input
Perhaps more powers should be given the instructor if all of them were DSA registered of course ( like it should be )