Birmingham South Yardley Driving Test Centre - Birmingham

Waheed K.

RYAN The best examiner! Made my daughter feel really relaxed was so nice great attitude. Was told the test centre is not good but its one of the best. Thank you

Adebisi J.

I had a really negative experience at the South Yardley center, and it's left me feeling that some of the examiners might be biased or even deliberately trying to fail people. I know people often talk about how difficult the roads are, but the examiners make the situation worse. My experience, especially with SAM today, was beyond frustrating. What made it worse was that there's no way to appeal the situation, cuz appealing rules already make one deficient to complain rightfully, which makes the whole process feel unfair.

Here's what happened:

I was in the left lane going for the second exit on the roundabout. A car that hadn’t checked properly came out right after I passed the first exit. I noticed it, slowed down to allow the car to move out of the way, and still on left lane. so that I can continue towards the second exit. Out of nowhere, the examiner pulled the steering to the left, which shocked me and if not for my driving experience, if it was someone who detest shock and all, it could cause a major accident. I quickly checked my mirrors, to ensure everything was clear and it was. He was just over reacting thinking the car on right lane will hit me and I was not in his lane. If I was my car sensors would make hazard noise and that never happened when he did that. Confirming I was clear.

I raised an immediate complaint about his actions while being focused and continued the drive. The examiner continued to take me on difficult roads, seemingly trying to find any fault to justify his mistake, but he couldn’t find anything..

What frustrated me even more was the unnecessary distractions the examiner created in the beginning by asking personal questions and trying to make up conversations which I find unprofessional but had to reply to not be rude ( in my mind, I’m doing a test allow me focus). I maintain focus still and responded politely, but it felt like he was trying to throw me off.

I honestly wish I could get a video of the test so a judge could review it and see what happened. It’s high time that situations like this are taken seriously.

Sadly, I now have to face redoing the test because, in their eyes, he’s an examiner and the examiners can get away with their actions. Maybe they need to realise not everyone who walk in there for test is a learner. I have over 11 years driving experience with 5yrs out of it in Europe and almost a year in the UK before I came for the test. I don't even have an instructor and it’s my first time.

Y’all judge with the result

Here are the faults I was marked for:

Major- Positioning – Normal driving ( the round about case )

Minor
Move off – Safety (1)
Progress – Undue hesitation (1)
Response to signs/signals – Road markings (1)

Rumaan K.

Passed my test today with Ryan he is one of the best examiners kept me calm and relaxed talked to me the whole way throughout the whole test. Told him if i passed my dad was going to get me a i phone 16 and when i passed he said congratulations someone is getting a new phone. Thank you Ryan.

Shazia Z. W.

My daughter passed today was told this test centre is no good, but realistically its the very best. RAYAN the examiner is the best he helped my daughter relax as she was very nervous. Hats off to him.

umar K.

I had a driving test with Tahir, and throughout the test he helped me keep calm and composed. He talked to me at point where not a lot of driving skills was required to calm my nerves and kept quiet on the more difficult routes. Just of the bat he seemed like a kind soul, who I believe is the best examiner at the place. At the end he gave me feedback on where I can improve and what I can do for it. Allowing me to feel more comfortable as a passed driver. I passed but even if I failed I would have still been happy to have him as an examiner. May Allah (SWT) Bless his soul and keep him safe.

Franny N.

I’m happy to share that I passed my driving test in August last year, on my second attempt! My first attempt was at the same test center, where my examiner was Imran. While I don’t entirely blame him for my initial fail, I was definitely nervous since it was my first time. During the test, I missed a turn on the sat nav, something I had been taught to handle by continuing safely until the sat nav reroutes or the examiner provides further instructions. Instead, my examiner abruptly asked me to "focus on the road,"quite rudely, turned off the sat nav, and instructed me to follow his directions. His tone added to my anxiety, which affected my ability to maintain good control and make proper progress on the road, ultimately leading to a fail.
On my second attempt, I had my test with Ryan, who was calm and made me feel very comfortable. I also put in more practice after my first fail, which definitely helped. However, I still believe that some kind words from the examiner during my first attempt would have made a difference.
The test routes are a bit tricky, and the one I had on the second time was entirely new to me. Despite that, everything went fine, and I passed with 2 minors.

faisal H.

Wife passed today 2nd attempt. She failed first time for a major mistake she made. On both occasions she said the examiners / staff were fantastic and she felt really relaxed. I too passed here many years ago first time, great test center.

abhay G.

i got pass today at south yardley the examiner IMRAN Hussian he was very good to me made me feel relaxed. I had a positive experience at the center i would suggest this test center for everyone roads are little bit tricky but if you're good you can easily pass the test ..... IMRAN Hussain 🫡🫡🫡