Learner fails driving test because of faulty driving school truck
When he complained, he was told by the receptionist that he was being 'a difficult customer'
A Kempton Park resident was left infuriated after he failed his driver’s licence test due to an apparent mechanical fault with a truck provided to him by his driving school.
Pele Khumalo (25) says that during his test on October 7 at the Kempton Park Testing Station, the vehicle he had been using from a driving school adjacent to the testing station, suddenly wouldn’t start.
“I was finished with the yard component of the exam and was told to turn off my vehicle to demonstrate the starting procedure so we could proceed to the second part of the examination, which was driving on the road. When I attempted to start the vehicle, it would not start and the examiner gave me five minutes to try and sort it out, which I could not do as it was not my truck,” Khumalo explained.
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In a desperate bid to get the issue resolved, Khumalo said he ran to the driving school to get his driving instructor.
“We both went back to the testing grounds and he asked me to help him fix the truck. I declined as it was not my problem to fix. I was failed by the driving examiner because of the mechanical failure of the truck,” the disgruntled Khumalo said.
In accordance with the K53 driving test, a mechanical fault or failure of a testing vehicle qualifies as an immediate fail.
Khumalo attempted to lay a complaint at the driving school’s reception and requested a refund for the truck rental. “I was told by the receptionist that it could have happened to anyone and that I was being a difficult customer, and as a result, they would not refund me. I am really disappointed at the driving school for not taking responsibility,” he said.
Khumalo was told to take the matter up with his driving instructor.
Upon returning to the yard, Khumalo discovered the truck he had been using was left parked in the yard and his driving instructor was nowhere to be found.
“It just seems to me that the driving school has no interest in public safety,” Khumalo said.
When EXPRESS contacted the driving school, a representative said the driving school offered to postpone the test for Khumalo, but he refused.
Khumalo on the other hand has said he refused because the driving school wanted to make him pay for another test.
