A father-of-three who travelled nearly 300 miles for his driving test was left stunned when the examiner refused to conduct it because of a few raindrops on the passenger seat.
The Epic Journey for a Test Slot
Jacob Caroll, 27, from Chichester, West Sussex, had spent months trying to book a practical driving test near his home. With no luck securing a local slot, he expanded his search and managed to book an appointment in Scarborough, North Yorkshire – a staggering 285-mile journey from his home.
Jacob made the long trip north to stay with his wife's grandparents, hoping to finally pass his test. He even had the car professionally valeted the day before to ensure it was in perfect condition for the examination.
A Wet Day and a Sudden Cancellation
On December 15, Jacob arrived at the Scarborough Driving Test Centre with his wife's grandfather. It was a wet day, and as they exited the vehicle, several raindrops landed on the front passenger seat.
Jacob claims the examiner immediately refused to sit in the seat due to the damp upholstery. He offered a blanket for her to sit on, but says she declined this too, stating it was "all creased up". After a brief attempt to persuade her, Jacob was informed the test was cancelled and he would need to rebook and pay again.
"It was just a few raindrops and she patted it and said she couldn't do it. It's literally a joke," said Jacob, a shift supervisor. "I didn't even get the car moving."
Frustration and Financial Fallout
The cancellation has left Jacob feeling anxious about future tests. The next available slot he could find is in April, just before his theory test certificate expires.
The wasted trip also came with significant cost. Jacob and his family had paid for a hotel and fuel for the long journey, all for a test that never began. His mother-in-law, Vicky Bagshaw, 46, said the incident was devastating for the family, who have three small children and were relying on Jacob passing to ease daily pressures.
"He was so upset," she said. "They'd paid for a hotel, gone all the way up there and paid for a test he's never got to do."
DVSA Response and Next Steps
When approached for comment, a spokesperson for the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) said: "DVSA cannot comment on individual complaints. We would encourage any learner driver who feels they have been mistreated to report it to us at the earliest opportunity."
The incident highlights the immense pressure on the driving test system, with learners often forced to travel huge distances or wait months for appointments, making any last-minute cancellation particularly crushing.
