HAVE I BEEN RIPPED OFF? Your thoughts please?

[Peter Y]

I would like to tell you about a very bad experience I have just lived through trying to get a motorcycle license in the Netherlands. This article may be a bit long but please take the time to read it as your inputs and thoughts are important to me.

In July 2006 I went to one of the biggest driving schools in Bergen Op Zoom (town I live in) to get my motorcycle license. Now I don’t speak fluent Dutch (I have been in Holland for just on three years, I work in an international company where we speak English) I asked them if I was able to take lessons & do the exam in English, “No problem” was the answer.

I paid for a “Package” worth 790 Euro & also paid 50 Euro administration costs. The first part of the lessons where fine & I passed my first exam without any problem (In Holland it’s a three step process. Two practical exams and one theory). The next step was to take the theory exam. I went to buy the theory book and question book in English. I then realized that the book the driving school suggested was for “motor control” for engineers and not for motorcycles (This is possible a genuine mistake & no ill intentions).

I asked what could be done and if they could help me. I was sure there could be books in English. I was told I had to study the Dutch book and the instructor would point out the chapters I needed to study. I had to buy a theory and question book for motorcycles in Dutch and a theory & question book for Cars in English. I paid almost 100 Euro to the driving school for these books.

I was very lucky I had a lot of great local work colleagues who helped me translate the theory book into English. I translated the question book myself. I translated 550 questions via an online Internet translator from Dutch to English. I got no help or support from the driving school. I took my exam and passed.

Next step new lessons on the road (Previous lessons where on roads closed to traffic). I was advised that the “package” gave me four lessons. So we scheduled four “two hour” lessons. On my third lesson I asked the instructor if he thought I was ready for my exam (it was the following week). I asked him if we should schedule additional lessons. He said, “We have to make it work”

I took the exam (February 16, 2007) and failed. I failed in turning in the corners, positioning myself in the corners and looking at traffic at intersections.

I was very disappointed and wanted to discuss the result with the instructor. I called the driving school to reschedule lessons again and to also talk to the instructor about next steps. I was advised I could not have his number and he would call me. I was also advised that I took too many lessons and have to pay 152 Euro extra for lessons(apparantley four lessons means four one hour lessons not four two hour lessons but nobody mentioned this at the time. We always had lessons in two hour blocks). I didn’t receive a call from the instructor later either.

I was upset and decided I should speak to a different driving school. The fact that I myself knew I was not ready but was still put forward for the exam made me feel I was not getting the attention I paid for & deserved. If I had just by luck passed my exam I would have been very dangerous to others & myself on the road.
I went to a different driving school and had a one-hour test lesson. After about five minutes on the road the instructor said “ If you were my student I would never ever put you up for an exam, I can clearly see the issue”. I then realized the following:

1. My original instructor never ever showed me anything on a motorcycle himself. He always followed in a car from behind.
2. I learned more in two hours with the new instructor that I did in eight hours with the original instructor.
3. I never received the feedback I do now with my new instructor during the lessons. My new instructor follows me on a bike and talks me through the process. He actually took me for a ride on his bike and showed me how to turn in corners.
4. The original driving school has one of the highest numbers of students with the lowest success rates. You can see on the government web site (I did not know this web site previously).

If its so obvious that I’m not ready for the exam and do not have the skills to drive on my own why would I be nominated to go for the exam? Isn’t that very dangerous?

After I sent a complaint email to the driving school I got a call from the instructor. I asked why he didn’t call me & he said he “forgot”. He agreed with me that an instructor on a bike rather than following in a car could be more beneficial. He said he didn’t organize another lesson with me because of my schedule not fitting his schedule (he didn’t even ask me about my schedule). I sent an email to the driving school asking an official response of their view of the situation. I have had no response. All I got was another bill for 152 Euro in the mail for additional lessons. So this is what I’m left with

Ø 6 months of lessons (All three exams)
Ø 1142 Euros paid to driving school (including books, administration costs)
Ø NO LICENSE
Ø New lessons with new instructor & new exam 500 Euro?????

Disappointment/stress/loss of time, loss of passion for riding a bike AND a motorcycle in the garage that I cannot ride for another two months at least???

What would you do? Could this be my fault? I can’t help but think that riding may not be for me. I still have not paid for the 152 Euro invoice, should I pay for this? Has anyone had any similar experiences?

I think the Netherlands is a great country and the majority of the people here are genuine, friendly and helpful. This incident has not changed any of my views towards the country I live in.

[Keir]

you get some good schools and some bad ones. its the same anywhere. When i learnt to drive a car the first instructor i had just made me go round in big circles not leaning anything, when i realised what he was doing i switched instructors and started learning properly. Whether they are doing it on purpose to make money or they are just bad instructors you will never know.
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Current : '08 Yamaha FZ1s
Previous: '99 Honda CBR 600FX, 03 ZX636 B1H, 99 Fazer 600 (red), 02 GSX-R 600 K2, 00 SV650s (red), 2008 ZX10R, 97 Bandit 1200N, 04 ZX6RR K1H, 04 GSX-R 1000, 98 Fazer 600 (gold), 05 Madness 110 Pit bike, 04 CR125R, 00 SV650s (black), 06 KTM 625 SMC, 99 SRAD 600 track bike, 03 SV650, 98 Bandit 1200N, Bandit 600SY, 03 GSX-R 600 K3, 01 GSX-R 600, 01 Fazer 600 (black), VFR 400 NC30 x3, 78 Honda Dream, 00 Speedfight 50

[Kyzia]

I think you've been ripped off, but I doubt that there's all that much you can do to get satisfaction from the school in question. Best thing would be to put it behind you and move on.

You say "This incident has not changed any of my views towards the country I live in.", which is great - I'd suggest that you try to extend that to your views towards motorcycling. Persevere, and you'll find it'll all be worth it in the end.