Barnet Test Centre - Lost!

Last week I had to take a pupil to the Barnet test centre for a driving test, and I got lost! Even though I qualified as an ADI at Barnet, I don't go to this part of town at all as there are 3 centres much closer to where I operate my school so there is no need to go that far out of town.



This pupil wanted to get a nearer date than was available in the test centres close to me, so I told him that I would be willing to take him provided he meet me at Barnet, as the appoitment time would not allow me to pick him up from Shoot Up Hill NW2 and get there on time to have a one hour driving lesson before the test.

I arrived slightly earlier than I expected at the agreed meeting place opposite Barnet test centre because traffic was ligher than anticipated on a week morning rush hour, so had quick drive around the block since I couldn't park on the high road. I used the free time to clean the driving school car mats, mirrors and windscreens and when I went back my learner driver was there.
As normal, we would use the hour before the driving test to drive around the local area to get used to the traffic and weather conditions while practising the skills that the DSA examiner will be assessing, and it was during this time that I took a wrong turn with my pupil.

To cut a long story short, we asked for directions, and I had to take over control of the car so that we could make good progress and avoid arriving late for our appoitment. We arrive at Barnet on the dot for the test, only to be met by a surprised examiner who was not expecting us. Apparently my learner had been left a message 2 days earlier saying the test would now be on the monday! All that rushing for nothing.

To compound issues I was pressed to use a toilet, and Barnet test centre does not have any tiolets for its customers, so I had to go to a local pub, buy a drink for £2.30 and then have the priviledge of using the gents. It is going to be a long time if I can help it before I bring another learner driver to this area for a practical car assessment.