Can I appeal?

I failed my driving test yesterday.  I had the same examiner that I had the last time and she also failed me (she told me to watch out for a car that I had already stopped for and she didn't make the comment until the car I had stopped for was several hundred feet up the road. Because she "took action," I failed.).  Yesterday, she failed me for being on the wrong side of a one way street.  I had gone the correct direction on the one way street and then she told me to turn right.  I positioned my car to the right (but not all the way over as a pole would have obstructed my view) and indicated.  She then said, "You have to be very careful at this junction because you are on the wrong side of the road."  I was TOTALLY confused.  I completed the turn safely and smoothly.

I only got one minor mark for adjusting my car to not hit the curb on the reverse around a corner (which I did safely with good observation). She said that my control was "horrible." 

Once back at the test centre, she told me that I failed for being on the wrong side of the road on the one way street and then practically ran out of the car.  My instructor said that I most definitely shouldn't have failed and that what I failed for was beyond ridiculous.  I should have only received a minor, if anything at all.  Yet, I know the system, including the appeal system, is beyond flawed.  At this point, I feel like I will continue to fail tests and never get my license.  This was test three.

I feel that I should mention that I have a perfect driving record for nearly 14 years and my instructor has said that I am an excellent driver who didn't even need lessons (but I took them because I wanted to prepare myself).

Is there ANYTHING I go do?  Or is the system so broken that I am pretty much screwed?

I'm not familiar with the system, but is it possible to take the exam at a different location so that maybe you would get a different examiner? It sounds like this one may be just a wee bit biased.

Did you take the test with your instructor in the car (can't you do that?) or was your instructor going on your description? Probably would help an appeal if he'd been in the car with you?

I agree - I'd personally just take it elsewhere. I've heard Bletchley is a decent place to go and they've got a reasonable pass rate....

Did you take the test with your instructor in the car (can't you do that?) or was your instructor going on your description? Probably would help an appeal if he'd been in the car with you?

I agree - I'd personally just take it elsewhere. I've heard Bletchley is a decent place to go and they've got a reasonable pass rate....

My instructor knows the road and is completely stumped.  I am taking the test in my own car, which is apparently an issue (even though the DSA says you can take it in your own car).  No matter what I do, I am well screwed.  I have taken tests at two centres.  My next test in booked in Leicester as it was the earliest available.

I am taking the test in my own car, which is apparently an issue (even though the DSA says you can take it in your own car). 

Can you take the test in your instructor's car if using your own is an issue?

Whose car are you supposed to use if not your own? I've never heard of not taking a driving test in someone else's car.

Can you take the test in your instructor's car if using your own is an issue?

No, it is a manual and I am testing automatic.

Whose car are you supposed to use if not your own? I've never heard of not taking a driving test in someone else's car.

Most people who take lessons take their test in the instructor's car.

No, it is a manual and I am testing automatic.

Ah, I see. My instructor taught specifically on automatics, so I was fine using his car.

Whose car are you supposed to use if not your own? I've never heard of not taking a driving test in someone else's car.

Many new drivers in the UK don't have their own cars yet, so often they will have their lessons in their instructors/driving school's car and also take their test in that car, since they are familiar with it and comfortable driving it (I took my test in my instructor's car, drove my mum's car for 5 years and didn't own my own car until I was 23).

You can take the test in your own car, but because the majority of test-takers are driving the car provided by their instructor, it is not all that common to use your own car, so the examiners don't necessarily expect it.

ETA: x-posted with chary

True, ksand24, but, using my own car should not count against me.  The car is my husband's and it is what I drive normally.  But, apparently, it counts against you in some weird way.

I shouldn't have failed a single one of my tests, so, I am totally stumped and at a loss.  If I don't pass soon, I can lose my job over this.  :\\\'(

If you think you are being a little victimised you can have your instructor sit in the back of the car on your test.

Go over the areas in which you failed with your instructor and show him what you did and see what he says afterwards.

Many new drivers in the UK don't have their own cars yet, so often they will have their lessons in their instructors/driving school's car and also take their test in that car, since they are familiar with it and comfortable driving it (I took my test in my instructor's car, drove my mum's car for 5 years and didn't own my own car until I was 23).

You can take the test in your own car, but because the majority of test-takers are driving the car provided by their instructor, it is not all that common to use your own car, so the examiners don't necessarily expect it.

ETA: x-posted with chary

Ok. I guess I meant "the car you will be driving once you get the licence." I was the same way- didn't get my own car till I was 24, but drove my parents' cars since I was 18 when I got my licence. I guess I was thinking that the instructors used cars from the auto school, not their personal cars, to instruct.

Ok. I guess I meant "the car you will be driving once you get the licence." I was the same way- didn't get my own car till I was 24, but drove my parents' cars since I was 18 when I got my licence. I guess I was thinking that the instructors used cars from the auto school, not their personal cars, to instruct.

Yeah, technically, what you were thinking would normally be right - you use the car that the instructor is allocated to teach people to drive in (i.e. from the auto school). But some instructors are independent and so own their own car which is specially modified for teaching driving lessons (i.e. extra break pedal on passenger side in case they need to stop you quickly etc.). Usually UK teenagers take their tests on these cars rather than their own car or their parents' car .

I'm sorry to hear the problems you're having Dar.

I seem to remember from talking to my instructor before taking my tests, that you can't dispute issues with your driving test unless your instructor is in the car with you.  They can argue on your behalf...     I don't know how acurate this still is.  I've looked on the DSA site and all it says if you fail is that you can retest in 10 days and you can ask your examiner for feedback.     A bit mute in this situation.

I'm sorry to hear about your driving test.

Its probably best if you take your instructor with you for your next test.  That way you have someone to argue on your behalf (like teletabby said).

Good luck.