Driving test cancelled due to the disc strip is faded from green to blue

jinish · 18-06-2021 2:17pm #1

Hi dears
My wife had a driving test today.
During the checks the tester told her that he can not conduct the test because the green stripe on the disc is faded to blue. Its cancelled, and we lost €85 trst fee.
When she called me, I could not believe it.
I then called the insurance provider AXA, they basically told me that they can not do anything about it, but could reprint certs again.
I called the RSA customer care, they suggested to write a complaint.
We both are healthcare workers, and took a lot of hassle to arrange a day off for this test. How on earth they could provide reasons like this for canceling test?
I am literally furious at this. I really think it was so unfair and uneard of What shall I do?
Any suggestions are welcome.

mk7r · 18-06-2021 2:21pm

jinish wrote: »

Hi dears
My wife had a driving test today.
During the checks the tester told her that he can not conduct the test because the green stripe on the disc is faded to blue. Its cancelled, and we lost €85 trst fee.
When she called me, I could not believe it.
I then called the insurance provider AXA, they basically told me that they can not do anything about it, but could reprint certs again.
I called the RSA customer care, they suggested to write a complaint.
We both are healthcare workers, and took a lot of hassle to arrange a day off for this test. How on earth they could provide reasons like this for canceling test?
I am literally furious at this. I really think it was so unfair and uneard of What shall I do?
Any suggestions are welcome.

It's a legit reason but too anal for words

km991148 · 18-06-2021 2:21pm

That sucks but I wouldn't get your hopes up for any resolution. While vehicles need to be legal etc - this was a really ****ty thing to happen - I wouldn't really care about the fee but the hassle and stress of it all.

Definitely send the complaint tho - but I think its one of these things in life where practising letting t go will do you more benefit.

knipex · 18-06-2021 2:34pm

This has always been the case. Back in the 90's it was something we were all warned about. I know 2 people who failed tests due to sun faded disks.

Back then the Tax disks were notorious for it.. I know another person who failed due to a torn and faded provisional licence.

jinish · 18-06-2021 2:37pm

knipex wrote: »

This has always been the case. Back in the 90's it was something we were all warned about. I know 2 people who failed tests due to sun faded disks.

Back then the Tax disks were notorious for it.. I know another person who failed due to a torn and faded provisional licence.

THe insurance disc is crystal clear. Not at all faded. It's just the green strip on the end, sun and is now greenish blue. Both ends of the strip are still green.

Dempo1 · 18-06-2021 2:40pm

Mother of God, this is completely new news to me, I've never heard such nonsense in all my life, is it any wonder that the entire Driving Test is such a shambolic mess. Since when did the color of a stripe on an insurance disc make it invalid somehow, more and more insurance companies getting customers to print their own discs, what if its an off green? Just beyond absurd.

Wishbone Ash · 18-06-2021 6:23pm

Dempo1 wrote: »

....Since when did the color of a stripe on an insurance disc make it invalid....

It's a requirement since 1st July 1986 when the Road Traffic (Insurance Disc) Regulations 1984 came into force. Section 3, part 2, states that the disc must not be discoloured.

No one said the insurance is invalid. Just like driving without displaying a tax disc doesn't mean the vehicle is untaxed.

(Don't shoot the messenger!).

punisher5112 · 18-06-2021 6:25pm

What an absolute grade A tool that tester was.....

Id understand if the car was in roadworthy, insurance out of date or wrong reg but the colour on the side which does absolutely nothing.....

I really thought I had heard it all....

That is nuts

HalfAndHalf · 18-06-2021 6:28pm

That is ridiculously anal but it’s also ridiculous that we have to have all these discs in our cars in 2021 anyway!

flazio · 18-06-2021 6:29pm

Some insurers make you print the disc out yourself. Imagine if the home printer wasn't topped up with the correct ink. This is crazy from the RSA.

SeaFields · 18-06-2021 6:35pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

It's a requirement since 1st July 1986 when the Road Traffic (Insurance Disc) Regulations 1984 came into force. Section 3, part 2, states that the disc must not be discoloured.

No one said the insurance is invalid. Just like driving without displaying a tax disc doesn't mean the vehicle is untaxed.

(Don't shoot the messenger!).

I just scanned those regs albeit quickly. It says an insurer can replace if discoloured from what I can see but not that it must not be discoloured? Happy to be corrected. It's not easy to view it on the phone

They are also the most bureaucratic regs ever...as regs go!!

punisher5112 · 18-06-2021 6:37pm

Yes it must be green, the sun can discolour this especially when printed out.....
Christ on a bike I've never heard of anyone getting done though, that's pure insanity.....

Sure I've had to fold it over to get it to fit into the holder.

Wishbone Ash · 18-06-2021 8:11pm

SeaFields wrote: »

I just scanned those regs albeit quickly. It says an insurer can replace if discoloured from what I can see but not that it must not be discoloured? Happy to be corrected....

It must have a green band - if not, the insurance company must issue another.

(2) Every insurance disc shall be of paper with a white background and with a green band not less than 8mm wide and not more than 12mm wide extending along and left hand side.

ArrBee · 18-06-2021 8:16pm

It really is a special country.

You must display cert. But don't let the light get to it. That would be bad mmmmmkay.

18-06-2021 8:26pm

That's a first for me, OP.

Absolute nonsense.

18-06-2021 8:38pm

Deleted User wrote: »

That's a first for me, OP.

Absolute nonsense.

Yep...... life does have "certain" people all right.
I worked as a tester for 9Months in 2012, never heard of this 'one' but I always recall a colleague/ fellow tester absolutely point blank refused ( & was backed up by top brass) to do a test because........seriously........" there was a strong smell of dog" in the car. Now the car was relatively new, clean as a new pin, the lady had obviously cleaned/ hovered the car as best she could prior to the test but got knocked back because of odour of dog in the car. The guy was a nice enough fella but I always secretly thought "what an asshole" after that incident.

Tails142 · 18-06-2021 8:42pm

Outrageous, I would be livid.

Dempo1 · 18-06-2021 8:43pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

It's a requirement since 1st July 1986 when the Road Traffic (Insurance Disc) Regulations 1984 came into force. Section 3, part 2, states that the disc must not be discoloured.

No one said the insurance is invalid. Just like driving without displaying a tax disc doesn't mean the vehicle is untaxed.

(Don't shoot the messenger!).

I'm not attempting to shoot the messenger, I'm just shocked such a ludicrous rule exists. If its not an issue of validity of disc, what is it, a color scheme offence, its just bizzare, akin to some obscure law we've inherited from the 1800"s.

I like to see percentages of actual refusals to do test for such a rule.

Dempo1 · 18-06-2021 8:47pm

Tails142 wrote: »

Outrageous, I would be livid.

I'm livid and did my test 20 years ago, never heard of such nonsense, I would have laughed at the tester, thinking it was candid camera

Dempo1 · 18-06-2021 8:51pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

It must have a green band - if not, the insurance company must issue another.

I get the the rule, doesn't make it any more logical, practical, sensible let alone coherent, my shade of green, might be your shade of Lime, the mind boggles

breadmond · 18-06-2021 8:54pm

Absolutely laughable rule. I'd have shoved the disk up the arse of the jobsworth examiner

alan partridge aha · 18-06-2021 8:56pm

Should have given him a swift kick in the bollo5ks.

18-06-2021 8:58pm

I did my test in a Rav4 with tinted rear windows. The L Plate was barely visible on the back. You really had to look for it to see it. Tester mentioned it in a bit of a jokey way. I also had a supervisor on the test with me. Both tester and supervisor were happy to proceed with the test.

Just before my test took place, another test was taking place and as their car turned out onto the main road, their magnetic L plate that was stuck to the bonnet flew off and away with a gust of wind.

We both did our tests, and we both passed.

I was told in advance of my test to ensure my disc had the green strip visible, by my instructor. However, considering the stuff I (and others) get/got away with, I would assume your wife managed to insult the tester somewhere along the way, and he pointed out the green band as a way of telling her to feck off. I've never heard of anyone fail for it.

The tester (and supervisor) I had were both polite and nice and realistic. I did stuff you shouldn't really do on a test (like give up your right of way to let other cars off minor roads and such) but I explained what I was at, and they didn't mark me down for it. I think testers are also under pressure to clear backlogs, so I really would be of the opinion that only one side of the story is being told here, and the tester took issue with your wife and used the only thing he could find, against her.

That said, it is a legitimate reason for a tester not to conduct a test, so although I'd complain, I wouldn't expect any recompense from RSA.

Potatopie · 18-06-2021 8:59pm

I don't have any advice OP. Just very sorry to hear that happened to you. Driving tests are expensive and stressful. I know if it happened to me or someone I care about I would be utterly furious.

I agree with someone above..complete jobsworth!

SeaFields · 18-06-2021 9:00pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

It must have a green band - if not, the insurance company must issue another.

If I was a solicitor presented with such a scenario I'd be asking for a definition of the shade of green required.... What a backwards stipulation

padyjoe · 18-06-2021 9:02pm

Send them a hamper for thanking their thoroughness and buy a green felt tip pen.
That tester must have an absolute sorrowful life if they feel better after living the life strictly by the book.

athlone573 · 18-06-2021 9:04pm

Green and blue are practically the same colour (in Irish anyhow) so I would be interested to see what the SI in the first official language says.

Strumms · 18-06-2021 9:09pm

The insurance companies are regulated by the central bank... who are owned by the government... the driving testers are employed by a government agency...

I’d have asked the dufus.. “ what are the shower who you are working for, doing to regulate insurance companies, ensuring they cannot send out discs that fade when exposed to sunlight..?”

_Brian · 18-06-2021 9:10pm

jinish wrote: »

Hi dears
My wife had a driving test today.
During the checks the tester told her that he can not conduct the test because the green stripe on the disc is faded to blue. Its cancelled, and we lost €85 trst fee.
When she called me, I could not believe it.
I then called the insurance provider AXA, they basically told me that they can not do anything about it, but could reprint certs again.
I called the RSA customer care, they suggested to write a complaint.
We both are healthcare workers, and took a lot of hassle to arrange a day off for this test. How on earth they could provide reasons like this for canceling test?
I am literally furious at this. I really think it was so unfair and uneard of What shall I do?
Any suggestions are welcome.

Proper jobsworth BS

Heighway61 · 18-06-2021 9:11pm

To that tester, if you happen to see this, enjoy your wages.

punisher5112 · 18-06-2021 9:17pm

Heighway61 wrote: »

To that tester, if you happen to see this, enjoy your wages.

I pay your wages.....
Oy messing but definitely it's actually quite sad, not even funny, someone had everything right but fail on the colour of a tiny little strip on a tiny bit of paper, the glass could have been thrown the colour a bit or maybe condensation got on it or the sun.... Like seriously who cares it doesn't affect the car or safety in any shape or form.

I definitely would be going further with it.

Dempo1 · 18-06-2021 9:19pm

Perhaps I'm wrong but are these Testers, RSA, taking the literal meaning of an insurance disc display requirements from the pages of the road traffic act? This particular legislation whilst sensible in the context of a Garda being able to determine a Disc is valid at a checkpoint or perhaps traffic stop. I'd suspect any sensible garda would be more interested in the Details on the disc, not a strip that has discolored slightly.

In 1986 No driver was forced to print their own disc, numerous are now, are they to be penalised for a slight tone issue from a home printer, it's just extraordinary.

Furthermore technology, Garda mobility app etc doesn't check the F****** off color of a stripe on a disc.

I also wondered what a district court Judge would say if a motorist was hauled into court because a garda was concerned about faded green stripe, I'd reckon there would be howl's of laughter in the court as the charge read out, might actually make a great Monty python scetch.

I reckon Joe Duffy would have a field day with this, probably get two shows out of it

Just got some feedback from a buddy who's spoken to colleagues who test, None have ever, ever refused to do a test on this rule, infact they went as far as to say it's rarely if ever discussed.

MissShihTzu · 18-06-2021 9:23pm

This is why I ask the insurance company to send the disk, rather than print it myself. If the RSA say the strip must be green, then they need to define the shade. Does it mean light green, teal green, forest green, hunter green, racing green - what?? :pac:

Zaney · 18-06-2021 9:24pm

When I took my test many many years ago, it was pointed out to me that there was a typo on the insurance disc making the reg incorrect. He still let me take the test though - and I passed.

I’d had pre-test lessons in the car. is this and the OP’s issue not something that driving instructors should be pointing out?

elperello · 18-06-2021 9:27pm

Sorry to hear this OP.

I think you should lodge an official complaint. Even if it doesn't result in a change of heart by the RSA it will at least give you the satisfaction of calling out the stupidity.

A fully documented with photos report to a local TD might be another option.

_Brian · 18-06-2021 9:29pm

Zaney wrote: »

When I took my test many many years ago, it was pointed out to me that there was a typo on the insurance disc making the reg incorrect. He still let me take the test though - and I passed.

I’d had pre-test lessons in the car. is this and the OP’s issue not something that driving instructors should be pointing out?

When my wife took her test the L was missing off the back of the car.

The tester shrugged and said, “let’s just say it fell off after we started the test”

Shamboo1801 · 18-06-2021 9:33pm

Unknowingly, I've always cut the green strip off my disc as I've never had a holder that the disc will fit into. Fits perfect with the green strip cut off.

wandererz · 18-06-2021 9:34pm

My advice would be to send a dildo or a box of chocolate Willie's to the head of the test center.

And a "massive dick" congratulations card.

SCOOP 64 · 18-06-2021 9:38pm

It does make you wonder about the people they employ.

elperello · 18-06-2021 9:39pm

Of course the real killer is that the precious scrap of paper on the windscreen doesn't even prove that the driver is covered by the insurance anyway.

jinish · 18-06-2021 9:41pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I did my test in a Rav4 with tinted rear windows. The L Plate was barely visible on the back. You really had to look for it to see it. Tester mentioned it in a bit of a jokey way. I also had a supervisor on the test with me. Both tester and supervisor were happy to proceed with the test.

Just before my test took place, another test was taking place and as their car turned out onto the main road, their magnetic L plate that was stuck to the bonnet flew off and away with a gust of wind.

We both did our tests, and we both passed.

I was told in advance of my test to ensure my disc had the green strip visible, by my instructor. However, considering the stuff I (and others) get/got away with, I would assume your wife managed to insult the tester somewhere along the way, and he pointed out the green band as a way of telling her to feck off. I've never heard of anyone fail for it.

The tester (and supervisor) I had were both polite and nice and realistic. I did stuff you shouldn't really do on a test (like give up your right of way to let other cars off minor roads and such) but I explained what I was at, and they didn't mark me down for it. I think testers are also under pressure to clear backlogs, so I really would be of the opinion that only one side of the story is being told here, and the tester took issue with your wife and used the only thing he could find, against her.

That said, it is a legitimate reason for a tester not to conduct a test, so although I'd complain, I wouldn't expect any recompense from RSA.

He didnt conduct the test due to the color of the strip.

18-06-2021 9:49pm

jinish wrote: »

He didnt conduct the test due to the color of the strip.

I know, I read it.

jimmycrackcorm · 18-06-2021 11:19pm

punisher5112 wrote:

What an absolute grade A tool that tester was.....

I've my licence thirty years, even back in that time the testers also had quotas to fail. Too lazy now to even bother taking the driver out to evaluate their driving.

I suspect a FOI request to get the numbers of people failing tests weekly or monthly at different test centres would show some very suspicious yet consistent statistics and not more random figures that you'd expect.

Atlantic Dawn · 18-06-2021 11:23pm

Complete load of bo11ix, I'd be insensed, worst is now you can actually print your own from your provider, they should make that illegal and insist on a hollogram issued version if they are going to mess people around like this. Next thing there will be Garda checkpoints with colour swatches checking if your NCT disc is yellow enough.

theoneeyedman · 18-06-2021 11:26pm

punisher5112 wrote: »

What an absolute grade A tool that tester was.....

Id understand if the car was in roadworthy, insurance out of date or wrong reg but the colour on the side which does absolutely nothing.....

I really thought I had heard it all....

That is nuts

Probably been 'working from home' the last year and is piss3d off being back...... The OP ends up paying for it.

HerrKapitan · 18-06-2021 11:32pm

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Probably been 'working from home' the last year and is piss3d off being back...... The OP ends up paying for it.

Testers were working all pandemic. There is such a huge backlog at the moment I think testers have to go by the letter of the law. The tester didn't write the rule himself, and not being aware of a rule is not an excuse.

The real problem is why they were not enforcing rules pre-pandemic.

punisher5112 · 18-06-2021 11:46pm

HerrKapitan wrote: »

Testers were working all pandemic. There is such a huge backlog at the moment I think testers have to go by the letter of the law. The tester didn't write the rule himself, and not being aware of a rule is not an excuse.

The real problem is why they were not enforcing rules pre-pandemic.

No they were not, they oy eventually came back....

Seriously if that's in a window displayed correctly, why would one argue over the colour band on it..... Ridiculous....

punisher5112 · 18-06-2021 11:49pm

jinish wrote: »

Please see the reason they have provided and a copy of her insurance disc. I dont think its really blue.
As someone earlier suggested, i should seek the definition of green and blue from RSA.

If one looks it's actually got about the same amount of blue as it does green.... I definitely would be going further.

Wishbone Ash · 19-06-2021 7:29am

jimmycrackcorm wrote: »

I've my licence thirty years, even back in that time the testers also had quotas to fail....

A cancelled test is not a 'fail'. You can't fail an exam that you haven't taken.

jinish · 19-06-2021 10:01am

punisher5112 wrote: »

If one looks it's actually got about the same amount of blue as it does green.... I definitely would be going further.

I had a look at her and mine previous discs. She has total three discs, the previous ones green strip is now grey. He current one is bluish green. All issued from AXA
But mine is not faded, still green, from FBD. However, 2017 AXA is grey.
AXA must be using very bad paper or ink for their certs.

Flyb4ck · 19-06-2021 7:47pm

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

It's a requirement since 1st July 1986 when the Road Traffic (Insurance Disc) Regulations 1984 came into force. Section 3, part 2, states that the disc must not be discoloured.

(Don't shoot the messenger!).

The messenger was the person that brought up a silly reason to cancel the test that in no possible way affects the safety and the ability of the driver to be on the road. In this case was the "messenger" choice to choose the pettiest reason to cancel a test.

Driving test cancelled due to the disc strip is faded from green to blue

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