[korgathegreep]

Seriously guys, time for a reality check.

Firstly, let me say I'm not affiliated with the Instructor College in any way, other than as a student of theirs. I'm more than satisfied with the tuition I'm recieving from them and feel I need to stick up for them.

As with most things, people who are not satisfied (for whatever reason) will always be more prevalent and speak out on forums than those that are satisfied. The Instructor College trains thousands of people every year, how likely are happy customers to come on to a forum like this and say how happy they are?? Not very. So everone here that think's the College is a scam because you found 3 or 4 like-minded individuals is kidding themselves.

Secondly, with regard to alleged bad practise, The Instructor College are ORDIT registered, which means they voluntarily agreed to a code of good practise in driver training. Sure, some of you may have had a bad experience for whatever reason, but don't start claiming their a scam just because it didn't work out for YOU.

Thirdly, I wouldn't be surprised if the people on here screaming blue murder are the same lot I hear moaning in the college about how they failed their exam because it was the examiners fault. I mean, come ON!! A previous poster here said "all they do is pick out your faults and tell you to go work on them" - that says it all!! The ONLY way to perfect your skills is to practise practise practise....no-one else can do this for you. As they quite rightly say in their training material, they're not there to teach you to drive - you can do that already. All they CAN do is show you the faults you make unconsciously so that you can work on it yourself.

To be honest, I suspect the vast majority of complainers on here are spouting off due to "sour grapes". It takes hard work and dedication to complete any course at this level. Those of you that aren't happy should probably look inward and face the truth....you took on a course, expecting it to be easy and when things got tough, rather than working hard and putting in the practise, you chose to blame others.

So before you all go rushing off to Watchdog remember, there's always 2 sides to every story - I bet the college could tell some interesting stories about failed pupils with everyone to blame but themselves.

[cheenie]

Hi- yes everyones circumstances are different-I was sold a Lets Drive course and told of local training 30 miles from where I live. 6 weeks later I found out I was actually doing an instructor college course-if you check TIC website-it is clearly marked as having colleges in Edinburgh and Glasgow. I live in Aberdeenshire!!!! There was nothing about colleges on the Red/ Lets Drive website!!! YES IT IS A RUDDY SCAM -sneakily selling courses under various different names ( I could give you about 6 off the top of my head) so you don't know who you are really dealing with -and I for one object to people trying to make out that they are a professional outfit-WHAT A JOKE!!! My small claims goes to court tomorrow-I WILL be posting the outcome!!!

[metanoia100]

I signed up with the TIC July 2007 and have become to regret this decision. So wish I has seen this forum before I signed on the dotted line! I agree with all thats said here, they are great with the selling part of the deal but once the deal is made they don't really care. As someone else said they gave out the wrong questions for Part 1 so when I turned up for the test the questions had changed and I failed! In the end I bought a DVD and taught myself! Then to part 2. The Instructor I had was very sarcastic but made me feel like I was improving but clearly I wasn't! I took part 2, having been told I was ready, and failed with 17 faults of which 7 were serious! Since that day I had to beg for another session which was a different instructor who didn't even look at my failed test report so not sure how he thought he was going to "mend" my faults. He then proceeded to tell me different ways of doing manouvres to the first instructor. Surely they should all teach the same methods if its not always possible to have the same instructor!

I have my second part 2 test booked but as I have been unable to get any more sessions from TIC I will never pass! Tiday I have had a lesson with a PAYG instructor from another driving school and he was great. He clearly told me my faults and said I had improved within the 2 hours. I also felt I learnt more in those 2 hours than all the hours with the TIC! He suggests I try and get some money back from the TIC and learn with him (obviously I am wary about trusting anyone anymore but he did seem good).

Has anyone else managed to get any money back from the TIC at all? If so how? Will the small claims court help at all? I know I won't get it all back and I wouldnt fight for that but I would at least like the proportion of what Part 3 training would cost.

I am happy to discuss this more if any more evidence is needed.

Can anyone help?

[korgathegreep]

See...this is what I'm on about....

Metanoia100 - I don't mean to be disrespectful in any way, but you failed with 17 faults, 7 of which were serious, right?? This kind of performance is catastrophic to say the least as it suggests you're a dangerous driver!! I mean, 7 serious faults!! If this was even a learners test, you would've failed!!

With regards to the questions given for part 1, these don't change very much. You didn't fail because they gave you the wrong questions, you failed because you clearly don't understand the subject matter (your part II result backs this up!)

Truth is, if you'd put in the practice and studied the material like you're advised to, you'd have passed. As for teaching you different methods, I suspect the tuition was different because the first lessons you had in the car weren't sinking in, so your instructor had to vary his methods of teaching. I'm sorry, but it looks like just another case of sour grapes 'cos you weren't good enough or weren't prepared to put in the practise.

As for the chap from Aberdeen, that is completely wrong and you were treated unfairly. I suspect this is more to do with Lets Drive than the Instructor College. But who knows, the truth is out there!!

I think the biggest problem here is not poor tuition, but unrealistic expectations of those with bad experiences. No instructor training organisation is there to re-teach you to drive....if you can't cut it, its not their fault.

[cheenie]

LOL -Instructor college IS Lets Drive, RED Driving School, Driving School.com.....................How do I know all this? Because Trading Standards went to the trouble to find out the whole lot are owned by LVG!
They also used the term "Criminal breach" which basically tells the whole story in itself. I would advise anyone to get in touch with trading Standards about this lot, mis-led and mis-sold also spring to mind- taking time to go over your whole scenario with Trading Standards was worth it for me - and I know that the Trading Standards chaps in Instructor Colleges area have had various dealings with TIC because of the nature of their contracts -fact not fiction -You don't turn up at an instructor college interview for an interview -you go so they can assess your credit rating! Perish the thought they'd waste THEIR time on someone with no chance of funding their bank account. As for their staff, one had the cheek to call me from a pub, I couldn't hear her for the noise in the background, said she'd phone me from her office landline the next day, when she called (obviously for the benefit of her colleagues) she mentioned calling me back because she couldn't get a signal the previous evening! Bunch of >>>>>>>>>

[korgathegreep]

Cheenie - just because they are all owned by LVG doesn't mean they're all exactly the same. Also, saying the interview is only to "assess your credit rating" is pure rubbish. You only get assessed if you decide you want to take the course on finance. Clearly this is your decision to make and TIC do not force you to do anything.

The way all of these people on here are talking, you'd think TIC physically held you down and forced you to sign.....what a load of rubbish. Stop talking rubbish and start realising you've only got yourself to blame if you didn't make it. So typical of today's society - it's always someone else's fault.

[Tigerbaby]

According to your philosophy I've also only got myself to blame for having sustained a trigger thumb on my left hand because I practised daily (your recommendation, right?) and applied the handbrake every time the car came to a stop for more than one minute. I can assure you, steroid injections into the joint aren't fun!
As for physically holding prospective candidates fown and forcing them to sign, there are more subtle means to convince people that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity.
Fact is, we all should have been given the contract plus the loan agreement to take away from the premises and seek independent advice if so desired before being asked to sign any of it.
Also, how did you assess the quality of the training during the first seven days during which you'd have been entitled to 100% refund, given the fact that irrespective of how long you've had your license, they wouldn't take you out for a driving session unless you had already passed the test for part 1? Or did you pass that test within the first 7 days? If so, you're definitely a genius and don't require any training...

[similans]

I wondered how long it would be before people started to bicker amongst each other.?

I have been on this course now for 9 months amd have found it very difficult, i have written a letter of complaint to the college i am attending
i was on session 8 and was advised to put in for my test in two months,
I commented how can i be expected to put in for my test, when i am still getting sheets with faults ?? (about 5 faults per sheet.) I suggested i go back to session 4 which i did but have had to wait 6 weeks for a session.
All i keep getting told is practice, practice, practice.???

I have mentioned on numerous occasions that i would be better if there was an instructor sitting next to me. ?? to no avail.


Before there is any more bickering can someone suggest a positive way forward where we could all benifit.?

[dawnty]

Is there anyone who would be prepared to be a "witness" in the small claims court ( in terms of "false advertising/misleading etc)"if LVG continue with their claim. As I won a court case at the end of 2006. By Feb 2007 got the amount to pay the loan off, but they are now over a year later trying to claim the money back from me. The money has been used to pay the loan. THere are a lot of interesting views on the forum, but in particular am interested in those that have decided to try to take some sort of legal action.

[Tigerbaby]

Hi Dawnty,
I'm planning to take legal action unless they're prepared to resolve the whole issue amicably. They've so far refused to give me a refund due to my injury and I'm certainly not going to pay them the full whack.
How can they claim the money back from you AFTER you've won in court?

[dawnty]

I won by default as they failed to file a defence (even though they requested the extra 28 days so that they could file a defence). They are now stating that due to me continuing with the course after judgement( I didn't say that I wanted to come off it) I also had to have time off (maternity leave)I am still not fully qualified as just before my two years ended they decided to cancel any remaining sessions) due to non payment!! Ive even had a certificate from them congratulating me on becoming a fully qualified instructor.

[Tigerbaby]

How can I contact you?

[dawnty]

E-mail address: dawn_ty@hotmail.com

[korgathegreep]

[similans]

I think you are a plant from theTIC.
Yes I appreciate that i must parctise etc, etc, but what did i pay £3.500
pound for to teach myself ?? and before you start harping on about home
study a car is not a book!.
I no it would make more sense for someone to be sitting next to you drumming it into you as you drive.

What would be the scenario if you enrolled, parted with your Money and then said o bye the way I do not have a car.??

I have been advised to join the School of Advanced Motoring for additional free driving help. ???? now work that out ?its not a bad idea.
But i would feel guilty asking for help from someone for free ,when i have [ have paid someone ??? Mull that over.

[Tigerbaby]

Hi Cheenie,
You've written that Trading Standards used the term "criminal breach". Could you elaborate on that a bit more, please. It might be of use, after all.

[Tigerbaby]

The very talented saleslady stated that because of this special discount they've offered I certainly had to sign there and then. A once in a lifetime opportunity!
About a year later I met someone who had just recently signed up and guess what? He was told precisely the same! To make matters worse, he tried to get out of the contract (he was still within the first 7 days) but was told that that's only possible if you register on the internet but since he had physically attended the introduction, he couldn't cancel the contract even within the cooling off period!
Now, let me ask you, how is anyone not gifted with precognition supposed to know what the quality of this course is going to be like during this hour of pep talk (introduction)?
Moreover, how is anyone not trained as a lawyer supposed to recognize that the contract terms are anything but fair?
Well, the answer to both questions obviously is, "can't be done" which is precisely the reason why we haven't been offered to take the paperwork with us.
Finally, my injury is what's called repetitive strain injury. So getting rehabilitated and then getting on with the course isn't an option especially as even after steroid injection, mobility isn't fully restored and the pain has receded to a tolerable level as long as I don't subject the thumb to repetitive strain again.
Can't operate the handbrake with my right hand, either unless I take the course on the continent but I wasn't offered that option.
I must agree with similans in that you're probably a plant for otherwise, you wouldn't keep twisting reality in whichever way is favorable to TIC/LVG.
You've previously written in response to Cheenie that "saying that Let's Drive, TIC, Red are all the same (just because they all belong to LVG) is pure rubbish". Well, you're probably not a business person because postulating that the daughter companies don't play by the mother company's ground rules is at best, a bit naive, at worst, deleterious to business.

[shmuckhead]

[korgathegreep]

I'm not surprised you all think I'm a plant, but then that's an obvious conclusion to come to. The truth of the matter is I'm a PDI, just passed Part II and booked on to the rest of the course in the next couple of weeks. (if anyone still doesn't believe me I'll give you my PDI number and you can check it out with the DSA register!!).

To Similans: You paid £3500 for a course in driving instruction. Nothing more. Yes, yes I know a car is not a book but the car is your workplace so clearly studying practical work has to be done in the vehicle in question. On the subject of not owning a car, if you don't own your own car, you can hire out the colleges cars for practise or for a test.

To Tigerbaby: Actually, your statement about parent and daughter companies demonstrates how little you know about how large companies operate. Companies that operate under an "umbrella" organisation do so for financial reasons and also to take advantage of brand strength. The individual sub companies do not necessarily operate under the same rules, in fact they are individual and mostly unrelated entities in their own right. HSBC Bank PLC and First Direct are one such example of this - both banks are members of the HSBC Group but both operate and are managed independently. Neither are told how to operate by the Parent company.

It's regrettable that you've got RSI and it's not a pleasant thing at all. But again, this is not the fault of the Instructor College. If your thumb was unable to cope with the practise required to pass, then how were you going to cope with a career as a driving instructor?? TIC could not have known or predicted what would happen to you, however unlucky that may seem. Although I have to say, I'd be very surprised if the driving thing was the sole cause of your RSI....it must have been caused by other factors or a pre-existing condition as use of the handbrake, even in extended driving conditions, isn't frequent enought to cause RSI!!

In any case guys, there's no point in continuing with this discussion, as you're all convinced your own shortcomings are the fault of others. Good luck with whatever you decide to do in the future, but with that kind of attitude I'd be surprised if any of you suceed at anything.

[Jon123]

Well good luck to you on the part three...lets see what your views are when you start the hard bit... I hope the your ability will match your ego. I passed parts 1 & 2 first time with TIC.... Make sure you take a part three test early enough in your 6 months to take it at least twice... the waiting times in some areas can take longer than the 6 months you have on a pink licence, if you are doing it that way. I took the advice to delay an arranged test and extend the pink licence as I was not quite ready; the extention was refused and having appealed I need to attend a Court hearing in London at the Tribunal Service, I can take legal representation and witnesses if I let them know. Note I have now taken the test once and got a 3 and 4 with (a 5 on attitude and approach to the pupil). Be carefull on telling everyone how good tic is as the idea is to pass the whole course until then you are at their mercy, mind your head when they start the role play and humiliation on you. On the roll of honour there has always been less than half the number of part 2 passes passing part three..... where have the rest gone...??? Dont forget less than 1 in 4 pass..........all the above is meant to help.
I wish you well. Jon 123

[Tigerbaby]

To korgathgreep:
Fact is that I've never had RSI before I've practised excessive use of the handbrake as instructed and for that matter, I've only got it with my left thumb. Now, there are people getting RSI from excessive use of the mouse working at a pc and this certainly doesn't require the same input of muscles and tendon as pushing the release botton on the handbrake.
As for mother and daughter companies, TIC DID NOT have a consumer credit license on the date they sold me the loan BUT LVG had one thus covering for TIC. Does that mean they can have the cake and eat it, too?
To Jon123: I seriously doubt that korgathgreep can be fazed by anything and I'm just wondering why, being such an expert in everything, he's bothering to become a driving instructor. Of course, he might just enjoy playing devil's advocate and egging on as many people as possible. Sad, really.

[mike001]

Just thought i would check this forum to see if there were many more posts. Wow !! and it seams that we have saved a lot of potential victims from having their hard earned cash conned out of them.
I think it would be a great idea if we could stick together as a group and become organised with an educated speaker. We could document each persons problems and build up a strong case against them.
then maybe we could organise a meeting somewhere central that we could meet, talk and gain some confidence in getting some or all our money back. I am horrified to see see how much money some people have lost. I would be content to get something back. i feel so stupid falling for all the speel. but then when i see how many people have been sucked in to a chance of a life changing career i feel "not [b]alone" [/b]

[elizabeth91]

I have to pay £2500 this month otherwise interest will be added. I have only been to the college once and was bored stiff. It was'nt explained to me when i went to the college in the begining that i would be tied into this course. I took all their books back within 6 weeks phoned customer care to tell them i wanted out of the course,but they were so unhelpful and quite rude. I would be happy to be involved in getting this stopped so that no-one else is conned by these people..

[Tigerbaby]

I'm all for getting organised as a group!
Maybe everyone on this forum who'd like to join could post a reply to that effect and then we can decide where and when to meet.
What do you think?

[PDI thats a larf]

Just a quick posting - more later, because there's a lot to tell.

I have now finaly qualified as an ADI, but with very little help from the college, and a lot of hard work by me. When I signed up the invoice I was given said "£400 cashback on qualification". It has taken me over 2 months to get that cash back, and involved a lot of angry emails and phone calls to get what the robbing B***ards promised!

I will be taking this much further, when I find the time to get my 'case' together, but for now I take great pleasure in clicking on any Instructor College or Red driving school 'sponsored links' on search engines ..... each click costs the college somewhere between a few pence or even a few pounds, depending on how high they have set their limits. If all of their 'satisfied customers' were to do the same, it would cost them a fortune!

By the way - korgathegreep (or is it korga the CREEP?!). You are so obviously part of the college. I don't know why you're wasting your time trying to convince us all that you're not. How about you do your job properly and actually teach people to be instructors, and offer a bit of customer service for a change?!