In my experience, this instructor was LATE 3 TIMES (37.5%) over 8 actual lessons! CANCELLANTION 4 TIMES, precisely over (8+4=) 12 bookings, 33%. ALWAYS FINISHED EARLIER, I always got home several minu... Read More
In my experience, this instructor was LATE 3 TIMES (37.5%) over 8 actual lessons! CANCELLANTION 4 TIMES, precisely over (8+4=) 12 bookings, 33%. ALWAYS FINISHED EARLIER, I always got home several minutes before the scheduled time.
I have started my lesson with this AA driving instructor on 15th March 2019. At the end of my first lesson, I have organised and booked the next set of lessons with him towards May 2019, with the frequency of having two-hour lessons twice a week.
However, before my 2nd lesson, on 22/03/2019 14.00 pm, I got his message on 13:29 pm (yes, half hour before my lesson) saying he did NOT FEEL WELL and UNFIT for our lesson, therefore he cancelled it.
On 3rd lesson, 30/03/2019, he was running LATE for 15 mins from his previous lesson. He did compensate the time for me at the end of lesson. However, I started to notice, that he normally finished my lesson few minutes earlier. I got home and checked clock, sometimes it was 8 mins earlier than scheduled finishing time. There are lots of little roads we can practice in that few mins, however, he just ended lessons quickly.
I was learning quite slowly with him, basically, I just drove around. I made my point at my first lesson, saying I would have my test in Bury. However, he still arranged lesson for me driving to RAF Lakenheath or even Ely, rather than let me get familiar to Bury. I did not know my status in controlling car, I did not stall car, because his feet were always on clutch and break with me. So I NEVER really controlled the car by myself. Not sure that is good for my learning process! (reference to AA customer service, it is normal, instructor is helping you build confidence)
On my 6th lesson, scheduled 5 pm on 17/04/2019. I got his text on 13.15 pm, that he did NOT FEEL THE BEST, HAD A COLD, and wanted to change my lesson to the second day 5 pm, 18/04/2019. I cancelled my 1st arrangement and delayed the 2nd arrangement on 18th evening, for saying yes to him. Because I wanted to keep the loop of learning driving.
However, on 18/04/2019, he texted me on 16.30 pm (AGAIN 30 mins earlier), his previous pupil punched tyre, he was waiting in the garage to fix it. He could not get on my lesson on time. Therefore, another CANCELLATION, from my side, because I cannot delay my arrangement further.
On my 7th lesson, I was thinking to finish with him. I understood it might just be bad luck every time, but I really could not afford to lose my time of learning anymore. On that lesson, he started to talk about the teaching plan for me, then I was thinking to give him another chance and organised the next few lessons with him, and did my block payment.
However, the 8th lesson, on 5 pm, 15/05/2019, the point I decided to give up with him. He texted me on 15.09 pm (14/05/2019), without 48-hour notice, saying he CANNOT DO LESSON TOMORROW, WITHOUT ANY REASON, and he wanted to change it same time on the following day-16/05/2019. I said fine, and I did not ask the reason, I really just wanted to keep the loop and did not want any delay in weeks again for my learning.
However, guess what? He texted me on 16/05/2019 for CANCELLATION on 16.39 pm (20 MINS BEFORE LESSON) because his mum fell down and banged her head. That was the point I knew I could not afford this unluck.
I NEVER drove on 5th gear, NEVER had real control of the car.
Then I changed a new instructor, after my 1st lesson, with 15 hours learning experience with AA driving school, my new instructor said he felt like teaching an absolute beginner. Now I have made great progress, even the instructor was surprised about my learning achievements!
I have contacted AA for some financial compensation from this bad learning experience. However, I always paid instructor directly he REFUSED to offer any refund. AA said they COULD NOT do anything. In the phone calling with AA, they felt sorry about my experience, but they do not recon, this instructor’s behaviour ruined their REPUTATION at all! They put his SHORT CANCELLATION NOTICE into AA record, other than that, they COULD NOT OFFER ANY FINANCIAL C Read Less