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

[StephenC]

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.

Sorry that your young fella had to experience that - no wonder he failed the test. It's stressful enough without that BS at the start. Can he go to a different test centre next time? And at least he'll be prepared for the request assuming it happens each time (not that it should).

[Tony Baloney]

https://www.gov.uk/theory-test/when-you-arrive-at-the-test-centre#:~:text=The%20test%20centre%20staff%20will%20check%20if%20you%20have%20anything,do%20not%20let%20them%20check.

[Tony Baloney]

Asked my son there and he did his in the same place and he said they were very strict.

[David McKeown]

https://www.gov.uk/theory-test/when-you-arrive-at-the-test-centre#:~:text=The%20test%20centre%20staff%20will%20check%20if%20you%20have%20anything,do%20not%20let%20them%20check.

That's very different to what was being asked of tBrick's young fella

[marty34]

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.

Bang out of order alright.

That's not on.

Email them and see what they say, then see a solicitor.

[Armagh18]

Did the HGV theory a while back and the same treatment, didn't seem untoward tbh but maybe I was wrong

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

Of course there are levels to it and they may have breached protocol for your son but they have done checks like that for years. Sleeves up, trouser legs etc.
It's odd alright but have been hearing about it for a long time.

Really I've never heard of it before at all and can't think of a lawful basis for it. Surprised it hasn't been challenged. Sounds horrendous

Horrendous? Right...

[Champion The Wonder Horse]

Had two do it in the last couple of years. One in Ballymena, one in Newry; nothing like that reported by either. Easily identifiable first names too.

That's not to say Portadown is beyond reproach.

[Milltown Row2]

Had two do it in the last couple of years. One in Ballymena, one in Newry; nothing like that reported by either. Easily identifiable first names too.

That's not to say Portadown is beyond reproach.

That's not a taigy name though, champion the wonder horse

[Tony Baloney]

https://www.gov.uk/theory-test/when-you-arrive-at-the-test-centre#:~:text=The%20test%20centre%20staff%20will%20check%20if%20you%20have%20anything,do%20not%20let%20them%20check.

That's very different to what was being asked of tBrick's young fella

*Very*? The only difference is pulling your top up. Seems a bit much and sounds like someone on a power trip but it hardly sounds like solicitor material as someone above has suggested.

[Champion The Wonder Horse]

Had two do it in the last couple of years. One in Ballymena, one in Newry; nothing like that reported by either. Easily identifiable first names too.

That's not to say Portadown is beyond reproach.

That's not a taigy name though, champion the wonder horse

True, but we called the young fella
Curadh an Capall Iontais Og. Bit of a giveaway.

Next one was Curadh an Searrach Iontais. Think we got away with that one.

[David McKeown]

https://www.gov.uk/theory-test/when-you-arrive-at-the-test-centre#:~:text=The%20test%20centre%20staff%20will%20check%20if%20you%20have%20anything,do%20not%20let%20them%20check.

That's very different to what was being asked of tBrick's young fella

*Very*? The only difference is pulling your top up. Seems a bit much and sounds like someone on a power trip but it hardly sounds like solicitor material as someone above has suggested.

Well it depends on if I've interpreted the original post correctly but if I have then yes I think the rolling up of trouser legs and pulling up of a top is significantly different to showing you have nothing up your sleeve or required to show your ears. I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable pulling up my top in a public place.

The issue of solicitors wasn't raised by me but again it would depend on the circumstances. If this was a one off I would expect an apology would do and an undertaking to be mindful of the young gentleman's anxiety and mental health history at the next appointment along with a free test. None of that would require a solicitor.

If however this was an ongoing issue then solicitor involvement may be beneficial as issues of reasonable adjustments etc would arise.

[Tony Baloney]

https://www.gov.uk/theory-test/when-you-arrive-at-the-test-centre#:~:text=The%20test%20centre%20staff%20will%20check%20if%20you%20have%20anything,do%20not%20let%20them%20check.

That's very different to what was being asked of tBrick's young fella

*Very*? The only difference is pulling your top up. Seems a bit much and sounds like someone on a power trip but it hardly sounds like solicitor material as someone above has suggested.

Well it depends on if I've interpreted the original post correctly but if I have then yes I think the rolling up of trouser legs and pulling up of a top is significantly different to showing you have nothing up your sleeve or required to show your ears. I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable pulling up my top in a public place.

The issue of solicitors wasn't raised by me but again it would depend on the circumstances. If this was a one off I would expect an apology would do and an undertaking to be mindful of the young gentleman's anxiety and mental health history at the next appointment along with a free test. None of that would require a solicitor.

If however this was an ongoing issue then solicitor involvement may be beneficial as issues of reasonable adjustments etc would arise.

Agree. Maybe if I was 3 stone lighter. People must be going to extreme lengths to beat the test.

[quit yo jibbajabba]

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

[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.