Things that make you go What the F**k?

[David McKeown]

Maybe my brain isn't working yet but what tactics have people done that they are looking for?

Is it a wire with a recording to calm them down or spell out key things to remember etc

I assume the ear thing is for an ear piece to communicate with others and the rest is to prevent phones etc for a similar purpose.

[tbrick18]

My cub has asked around his friends and it seems they have all been subject to the same search process. So maybe he is just that lad who found this more daunting than others do, but I really can't see the reasoning behind doing it. They have to leave their phone, wallet etc in a locker and there's cameras everywhere - so there's not much opportunity for cheating I'd say. I then asked my oldest daughter who has her licence a couple of years, and she just said yeah they did that search when she was there too, and she thought nothing off it. 
 
My lad would have Eczema as well, and wouldn't even go in a pool as he doesn't want to show his top half.
Either way he was really put off by it.

And talking to him again, he didn't even consider that them not getting his name right was anything other than they couldn't pronounce it, so maybe that's me applying my prejudices to what happened. Or maybe he has just never experienced that type of thing and so doesn't recognise it when someone is being deliberately condescending.

Anyway it doesn't sound like there's much that can be done if this is the standard process and maybe I was over-reacting, but it still doesn't sit right with me that this is what happens.

[David McKeown]

My cub has asked around his friends and it seems they have all been subject to the same search process. So maybe he is just that lad who found this more daunting than others do, but I really can't see the reasoning behind doing it. They have to leave their phone, wallet etc in a locker and there's cameras everywhere - so there's not much opportunity for cheating I'd say. I then asked my oldest daughter who has her licence a couple of years, and she just said yeah they did that search when she was there too, and she thought nothing off it. 
 
My lad would have Eczema as well, and wouldn't even go in a pool as he doesn't want to show his top half.
Either way he was really put off by it.

And talking to him again, he didn't even consider that them not getting his name right was anything other than they couldn't pronounce it, so maybe that's me applying my prejudices to what happened. Or maybe he has just never experienced that type of thing and so doesn't recognise it when someone is being deliberately condescending.

Anyway it doesn't sound like there's much that can be done if this is the standard process and maybe I was over-reacting, but it still doesn't sit right with me that this is what happens.

There's plenty can be done. Rolling up trouser legs and a top is outside their own guidance. It's immaterial whether they've done the same to others. Your son has valid reasons why it shouldn't be done over and above this.

I'd contact the manager and ask them to confirm they won't act outside their own guidance again and to provide another appointment without charge

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

Showing the top of your socks is in the guidelines. I imagine that's the "roll up trouser legs" bit.

Anyway, I'd say you're overthinking again there, David.

[RedHand88]

Maybe the wrong thread, but it made me say WTF.
My young lad, 17 went for his driving theory test.
Did a decent amount of prep for it. Went to Portadown for it, where the person working there seemed to have an issue pronouncng his first name, Daire. Then proceeded to get him to pull up his trouser legs and his top to show he wasn't sneaking anything in.
My lad is a quiet cub and suffers anxiety at the best of times and has had mental health issues.
This really shook him, being asked to pull his top up to his chest.
He was shaking with nerves and then failed the test.

Is this normal?
Would they do the same on a girl?
It feels like someone went sore on him as he had an Irish name.

Wtf?! That is mental. Get a solicitor right now. Asking a minor to undress???

[clarshack]

My son recently took the theory test there and he says they made him do those things apart from pulling his top up. He has an even taigier name which they obviously struggled with but he's used to that by now.
It's supposed to be a very hard test to pass btw, think it's something like only 40% of people pass it on the first attempt.

[nrico2006]

Is Tony Baloney thinking of a career change?

[David McKeown]

Showing the top of your socks is in the guidelines. I imagine that's the "roll up trouser legs" bit.

Anyway, I'd say you're overthinking again there, David.

I may have been. I interpreted the original post as rolling up legs to reveal more than just top of socks and lift up top to show body. It's the latter I'd find completely unacceptable. Strangely I discussed it this morning with some solicitor friends and they all felt it was wrong.

[tbrick18]

Showing the top of your socks is in the guidelines. I imagine that's the "roll up trouser legs" bit.

Anyway, I'd say you're overthinking again there, David.

I may have been. I interpreted the original post as rolling up legs to reveal more than just top of socks and lift up top to show body. It's the latter I'd find completely unacceptable. Strangely I discussed it this morning with some solicitor friends and they all felt it was wrong.

He said he had to pull the legs of his trousers up as far as they would go, so about half way up his calf.
His top up above belly button level, then turn around in a 360. He had a t-shirt on so his arms were already bare, but I'm guessing he'd have to pull up his sleeves too.

[Truthsayer]

I'm totally lost here... wat are they checking for? Being recorded or something? Also does women have to undergo this? ... and def not from a male driving tester...
The world's mad

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

It is the theory test.

I'd say they are checking that there is nothing in the socks or waistband that would enable them to cheat.
Like a book, some notes, a phone....or loads of other stuff probably.

It's odd alright but that's about the height of it.
There should probably be more awareness that they do it so that it isn't thrown at someone out of the blue.
I'm surprised so many didn't know about this. I first heard this over 10 years ago.

[Truthsayer]

It is the theory test.

I'd say they are checking that there is nothing in the socks or waistband that would enable them to cheat.
Like a book, some notes, a phone....or loads of other stuff probably.

It's odd alright but that's about the height of it.
There should probably be more awareness that they do it so that it isn't thrown at someone out of the blue.
I'm surprised so many didn't know about this. I first heard this over 10 years ago.

Oh! It's the theory test! I thought it was the actual driving test lol!
No theory test back in the day!
After driving test, park up and...
How far do you drive behind a car if you're travelling at 40 miles an hour?... 30 metres... A bit more than that... try again... till you get correct answer!

[David McKeown]

Showing the top of your socks is in the guidelines. I imagine that's the "roll up trouser legs" bit.

Anyway, I'd say you're overthinking again there, David.

I may have been. I interpreted the original post as rolling up legs to reveal more than just top of socks and lift up top to show body. It's the latter I'd find completely unacceptable. Strangely I discussed it this morning with some solicitor friends and they all felt it was wrong.

He said he had to pull the legs of his trousers up as far as they would go, so about half way up his calf.
His top up above belly button level, then turn around in a 360. He had a t-shirt on so his arms were already bare, but I'm guessing he'd have to pull up his sleeves too.

Far beyond their guidance. I wouldn't be happy with that others may disagree. Far less degrading options available.

[tbrick18]

Showing the top of your socks is in the guidelines. I imagine that's the "roll up trouser legs" bit.

Anyway, I'd say you're overthinking again there, David.

I may have been. I interpreted the original post as rolling up legs to reveal more than just top of socks and lift up top to show body. It's the latter I'd find completely unacceptable. Strangely I discussed it this morning with some solicitor friends and they all felt it was wrong.

He said he had to pull the legs of his trousers up as far as they would go, so about half way up his calf.
His top up above belly button level, then turn around in a 360. He had a t-shirt on so his arms were already bare, but I'm guessing he'd have to pull up his sleeves too.

Far beyond their guidance. I wouldn't be happy with that others may disagree. Far less degrading options available.

They don't even do that at an airport where they are checking for bombs/guns.

[lurganblue]

Degrading surely, and absolutely no need.  I suspect women would not be treated the same, but who knows.

The name thing is pure petty, and sums up what we have to face here sometimes... and Portadown would be near the top of the list if you were to guess this location without prior knowledge.