CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

I booked a CBT today and got up this morning to go and do it. However on the way there matts bike failed (he'l put up a post later about that) and we had to get a recovery van back to his dads garage.

In the meantime I rang up the Training place where I booked my CBT (Nigel Norton) and they were SO angry and rude and basically told me to go elsewhere because they had "gone to a lot of effort to get arrangements in place". (for those that d ont know, I was going to have one-to-one tutition for £90 due to my hearing impairment).

They then told me that they had brought in a specially trained instructor (god knows why, I dont sign, I can lip-read without hearing aids). I finally managed to get a word in and said that I physically couldnt get there but I was happy to pay a cancellation fee - which was £90.

I feel uncomfy going back, so I rang a different training place in London who were very kind and happy to help. But they have no experience of training deaf people and were not quite sure how it would work. Its normally £125 (to teach 4 ppl), but for one-to-one they said they would have to bump up the cost to £200. I asked if the increased fee would apply for the A1 licence and they said "yes but we dont know how we would train you since we use the radio intercom system". I told them I would think about it then put the phone down and just cried at how difficult it is to do a simple thing :(

£200 is too much :( should I swallow my pride and try Nigel Norton again? and hope they are nice to me?

I dont know what to do. Maybe I should give up altogether :(

Maria

p.s. [Edit] oh, and if anyone knows of somewhere in london that could train me, id be grateful if you could let me know.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Sorry to hear of your troubles Maria. Is out of London out of the question?

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

i think that nigel guy is a bit out of order. i would not goo back there

do you need any specail treatment? would you be ok hearing the instructions over the 2 way mic?

i would try a small company (the guy i did mine with does not imploy anyone, and does it all himself)

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

They're a bunch of c##ts for being nasty about it. Not like it's your fault matt bought a yellow bike is it...


Giving up altogether is not an option.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Steady now... U rating an all...

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

I wouldnt they've already been rude to you, what are they going to be like if you struggle with an aspect of your training. You dont need people being rude and shouting when you're trying to learn a new skill. You want somebody being calm, quiet, and building your confidence up, not knocking you down by shouting and screaming at you.

£200 is a lot of money, Do you feel like you need one to one training ? If you can successfully hear what somebody is saying to you on the telephone IMHO you'd probably be able to use the normal radio system.

Why not pop down there and talk to them face to face, get them to put a speak in your lid and see how you get on ? wont waste to much time and that way you'll know what you can or cant do for certain.

Dont give up, not if its something you really want to do.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

The only out of london place I could really go is Brighton (free ride there, free place to sleep). Otherwise the overall cost of doing the CBT will just be too much. How far out of london are you thinking/suggesting?


2 way mic is the problem because I cant wear hearing aids with my helment on which = me not hearing at all.

The way it was going to be done at Nigel Norton was that on the road ride (& for the full test), is that there would be regular stops on the way where they would tell me directions and I would have to remember them and go that way. I suppose they would also signal slightly earlier and I would have to make sure I check my mirrors and turn the right way (something bikesafe trainers do).

The actual test would have been extended and followed the "regular stops & memorise directions" principle.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

See the reply I gave Hovis about the radio system problem :) I would need one to one training because as the lady I spoke to (the london place) said, it wouldnt be fair to make 4 people stop repeatedly for the sake of one person.

You are right, they dont deserve my custom if they are going to be rude about it.

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

Not too far, far enough for you to find somewhere to make you happy. I'm sure a few places outside the city will be close enough?

Re: CBT & A1 Licence - major problem :-(
 

I wouldn't give up, if you really want to do it, you can.

I would find a different school to the one that your were booked with. As fizz said if they shouted at you over the phone, what are they going to be like during training. If he wasn't so far out of London, I would really recommend my instructor. For both CBT & A1.

£200 seems a lot of money for a CBT at the other place, I mean how much would they charge you for your A1??

Is there a lot of CBT/A1 places in London?