A father's hopes of passing his driving test were dashed in seconds after he drove 285 miles to take it, only for the examiner to refuse to sit in the passenger seat because of a few raindrops.
A Mammoth Journey for a Test Slot
Jacob Carroll, a 27-year-old shift manager and father-of-three from Chichester, had spent months trying to book a practical driving test near his West Sussex home. With no available slots, he widened his search and eventually booked a test in Scarborough, North Yorkshire – a location near his wife's grandparents' home, but a staggering 285-mile journey away.
In preparation for the crucial test on December 15, Mr Carroll went the extra mile, getting his car professionally cleaned before embarking on the long trip north with his wife's grandfather.
The Damp Seat That Ended the Test
Upon arrival at the Scarborough Driving Test Centre on a rainy day, disaster struck immediately. As Mr Carroll got out of the car to meet the examiner, a few raindrops allegedly fell onto the passenger seat.
The examiner reportedly patted the seat, declared it too damp to sit on, and terminated the test before it had even begun. Mr Carroll claimed he offered a blanket for the examiner to sit on, but this was reportedly refused because the blanket was "creased up."
"I didn't even get the car moving," a frustrated Mr Carroll said. "It's literally a joke. The first interaction was when they take your name, and she didn't say anything about the weather... I've opened the door, and she said she couldn't sit in it."
Frustration and Financial Blow for Family
The abrupt cancellation has left Mr Carroll anxious about rebooking, especially as his theory test certificate is due to expire in April. The failed attempt also represents a significant financial and logistical blow.
The family had paid for a hotel for the trip, fuel for the long journey, and the test fee itself – all for a test that never happened. His mother-in-law, Vicky Bagshaw, 46, said she was "flabbergasted" by the ordeal, which has added pressure to a young family where being able to drive would "take a massive load off" Mr Carroll's daughter.
A DVSA spokesperson declined to comment on the individual case but stated: "We would encourage any learner driver who feels they have been mistreated to report it to us at the earliest opportunity."
Mr Carroll's experience highlights the extreme lengths learner drivers are going to in order to secure a test amidst a national backlog, and the fine line between success and an instant failure over seemingly minor issues.
