DSA pays up in tester no-show
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by Kathy Watson • LGV training firm, Roadtrain, is claiming victory this week after the Driving Standards Agency admitted defeat in a court battle over reimbursement of test fees.
The DSA was taken to court by Roadtrain pupil Ian Pickford for failing to reimburse his expenses after the examiner failed to show up for a test in February (CM 6-12 April). The DSA sent him a cheque for £45, based on Roadtrain's published tuition rate, instead of the £100 he paid for the use of a truck and instructor.
Pickford, of Hinckley, Leics was encouraged by Roadtrain to take out a County Court summons for compensation. Last week the DSA paid the full amount, claiming the shortfall had been caused by "clerical error".
But Roadtrain spokesman Steve Watson says the case is not exceptional and other driving schools should be on the alert. "I have had several cases in the past where people have only been reimbursed for one-and-a-half hours. We have tried in the past to get them to take action but until now no-one has. It is not fair that individuals who are paying for their own training should be left out of pocket."
Roadtrain boss Nick Smith warns that the company will take legal action on behalf of clients if it happens again: "We consider it an outrage that not only has the trainee had to wait several months for what was rightfully his, but the DSA had to resort to spending public money instructing lawyers to deal with this
matter."