British School of Motoring ( BSM ) Scammers?
30 November 2006
When I learned to drive back in Buckingham (all those years ago), I opted for a local one-man-band driving instructor and found his service excellent (although he was slightly racist which did sour things slightly), Charlie however decided to go for BSM.
BSM are quite clearly a very big driving instructor franchise in the UK, and are owned/backed by the RAC, which makes you assume that they might be reputable, not so apparently…
Up to now her instructor has by been unsupportive, lowered her confidence and been below the standard I would deem acceptable for a driving instructor. Apparently even once saying that if she took her test and failed it would “reflect badly” on him, this isn’t at all what I’d expect from a driving instructor who should be doing his best to boost her confidence.
To add insult to injury, the number of useless extras that they have tried to sell her is just mind blowing – I managed to pass with nothing more than a copy of the highway code and a theory test CD-ROM. To date BSM have tried to sell her some kind of mind map learning thing, mock driving tests and sessions in driving simulators.
Their handling of her driving test itself has been diabolical, whilst the driving instructor has been constantly trying to push back her test date and asking her if she’s sure that she is ready for it, the people at the call centre hassle her relentlessly to book more lessons. When she did eventually manage to book a test date this had to be done through the local BSM office, who despite there being many cancellations appointments available (we checked the DVLA website) didn’t manage to get her test booked till over 6 weeks later.
Unfortunately she failed that test for not advancing at a difficult traffic-light controlled junction (she only got seven minors though, I got thirteen when I did mine!), but immediately contacted the BSM office to arrange another test date. Surprise, surprise despite asking for a cancellation this test date came back as being at the end of December and over a month away – this time we decided that as she drives her car with me every single day she doesn’t really need more than a couple of lessons just before the test date.
BSM had the cheek to ring up today to suggest that unless she books four two hour driving lessons the instructor will be “reluctant” to allow his car for use on the test. As she’s spent so long learning in this car, and her own car doesn’t have power steering we almost feel trapped into paying for these extra lessons from BSM.
To me it is quite clear that these are the actions of a company that has a policy of holding onto students for as long as possible where there is the possibility of squeezing more money out of them. Whilst I realise some cynics may suggest that BSM are acting properly and she obviously isn’t ready to take her driving test, I am adamant that she is an even better driver than me, drives every day, is extremely safe and is aware of how to drive properly. I think the seven minors she received on her first test is a good testament to this.
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December 01, 2006 at 03:39 AM I would like to second you complaint!! They are complete and utter T@#t$. Although not having used them myself as I opted for a "one man band" my sister used them when she started. After running out of money to pay for more she decided to stop. She got so much hassle off them it was unbelievable!! I would also like to second Dave`s judgment of Charlie`s driving ability. She is a very good driver and more than competent enough to pass her driving test, which I believe is a load of rubbish anyway as it is just an effort to make people jump through hoops and do things they would never have to do when driving anyway. Anyway, rant over. Hope you are well dave, hope you have been keeping up to date with my travels on the old blog ;-) Send me an email to keep me updated on home affairs, I have had more from Charlie than you ;-p