Test drive requirements
Discussion
A few weeks ago, I booked a test drive of a new electric Renault 5 with the local dealer; ‘terms and conditions’ were not mentioned. I arrived on time this morning with my wife and sat down with the salesman, submitted our driving licences and engaged in small talk while he completed inputting details into his computer. I think he mentioned NI number at some point and after having completed the licence details he asked for the NI number. Neither my wife, nor I, know our numbers and despite footling around with my phone, I was not able to access the details.
He said that this was a requirement of the insurers and without it we would not be insured and could not have a test drive. We walked out exasperated and angry with a view that if Renault dealers were this incompetent and unconcerned about customers then a Renault should be avoided. His apology was muttered and to my mind grudging and there was no offer of a rearrangement. Really good salesman, then.
Having thought about the matter since, I cannot understand why an insurance company would need an NI number; I cannot see how it affects their risk. Having insured my own cars for over 50 years I have never been asked for this before and wonder whether the salesman decided that we were time wasters and he could not be arsed so used this as a way of getting rid of us.
I have since looked at the dealer’s website and can find no mention of test drives let alone the need for arcane data to which, in my view, should not be provided to unknown people without very good reason.
Has anyone else been asked for similar details, without warning, and I am I being unreasonable in my reaction to a situation that I consider ludicrous? As an aside, I have generally had poor to awful experiences with main dealers, and this only confirms that view of their woeful disrespect for customers.
He said that this was a requirement of the insurers and without it we would not be insured and could not have a test drive. We walked out exasperated and angry with a view that if Renault dealers were this incompetent and unconcerned about customers then a Renault should be avoided. His apology was muttered and to my mind grudging and there was no offer of a rearrangement. Really good salesman, then.
Having thought about the matter since, I cannot understand why an insurance company would need an NI number; I cannot see how it affects their risk. Having insured my own cars for over 50 years I have never been asked for this before and wonder whether the salesman decided that we were time wasters and he could not be arsed so used this as a way of getting rid of us.
I have since looked at the dealer’s website and can find no mention of test drives let alone the need for arcane data to which, in my view, should not be provided to unknown people without very good reason.
Has anyone else been asked for similar details, without warning, and I am I being unreasonable in my reaction to a situation that I consider ludicrous? As an aside, I have generally had poor to awful experiences with main dealers, and this only confirms that view of their woeful disrespect for customers.
Onespeeder said:
A few weeks ago, I booked a test drive of a new electric Renault 5 with the local dealer; ‘terms and conditions’ were not mentioned. I arrived on time this morning with my wife and sat down with the salesman, submitted our driving licences and engaged in small talk while he completed inputting details into his computer. I think he mentioned NI number at some point and after having completed the licence details he asked for the NI number. Neither my wife, nor I, know our numbers and despite footling around with my phone, I was not able to access the details.
He said that this was a requirement of the insurers and without it we would not be insured and could not have a test drive. We walked out exasperated and angry with a view that if Renault dealers were this incompetent and unconcerned about customers then a Renault should be avoided. His apology was muttered and to my mind grudging and there was no offer of a rearrangement. Really good salesman, then.
Having thought about the matter since, I cannot understand why an insurance company would need an NI number; I cannot see how it affects their risk. Having insured my own cars for over 50 years I have never been asked for this before and wonder whether the salesman decided that we were time wasters and he could not be arsed so used this as a way of getting rid of us.
I have since looked at the dealer’s website and can find no mention of test drives let alone the need for arcane data to which, in my view, should not be provided to unknown people without very good reason.
Has anyone else been asked for similar details, without warning, and I am I being unreasonable in my reaction to a situation that I consider ludicrous? As an aside, I have generally had poor to awful experiences with main dealers, and this only confirms that view of their woeful disrespect for customers.
They want the NI number so they can see if you have current points on your licence. Their insurer will probably only cover drivers with a limited number of points & insist on the check.He said that this was a requirement of the insurers and without it we would not be insured and could not have a test drive. We walked out exasperated and angry with a view that if Renault dealers were this incompetent and unconcerned about customers then a Renault should be avoided. His apology was muttered and to my mind grudging and there was no offer of a rearrangement. Really good salesman, then.
Having thought about the matter since, I cannot understand why an insurance company would need an NI number; I cannot see how it affects their risk. Having insured my own cars for over 50 years I have never been asked for this before and wonder whether the salesman decided that we were time wasters and he could not be arsed so used this as a way of getting rid of us.
I have since looked at the dealer’s website and can find no mention of test drives let alone the need for arcane data to which, in my view, should not be provided to unknown people without very good reason.
Has anyone else been asked for similar details, without warning, and I am I being unreasonable in my reaction to a situation that I consider ludicrous? As an aside, I have generally had poor to awful experiences with main dealers, and this only confirms that view of their woeful disrespect for customers.
It's a common practice.
They need a code to see the licence details, they don't need the NI number itself, but you'd need your driver number, NI number & your post code to generate the code for them.
Edited by vonhosen on Friday 23 May 20:45
It’s to generate the DVLA check code so they can see you’re not banned, etc
https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
Thanks for the responses.
Frankly, my reaction has not changed. I have a valid licence, the details of which they have. They can ask me if I have any points (I have none). If they have special needs for data why not say so at the outset.
My view of their competence has not changed. They will never see me again; they will not care though, will they?
Frankly, my reaction has not changed. I have a valid licence, the details of which they have. They can ask me if I have any points (I have none). If they have special needs for data why not say so at the outset.
My view of their competence has not changed. They will never see me again; they will not care though, will they?
Onespeeder said:
Thanks for the responses.
Frankly, my reaction has not changed. I have a valid licence, the details of which they have. They can ask me if I have any points (I have none). If they have special needs for data why not say so at the outset.
My view of their competence has not changed. They will never see me again; they will not care though, will they?
you had the answer, but appear not to like it, it's very common now amongst hire companies and dealers, it's not difficult to understand really. And I suspect with your attitude the dealer will be glad you don't go back.Frankly, my reaction has not changed. I have a valid licence, the details of which they have. They can ask me if I have any points (I have none). If they have special needs for data why not say so at the outset.
My view of their competence has not changed. They will never see me again; they will not care though, will they?
essayer said:
It’s to generate the DVLA check code so they can see you’re not banned, etc
https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
https://www.gov.uk/view-driving-licence
Edited by ninepoint2 on Friday 23 May 21:10
Onespeeder said:
Thanks for the responses.
Frankly, my reaction has not changed. I have a valid licence, the details of which they have. They can ask me if I have any points (I have none). If they have special needs for data why not say so at the outset.
My view of their competence has not changed. They will never see me again; they will not care though, will they?
I stand in solidarity with you, OP. I will not be buying one either. Frankly, my reaction has not changed. I have a valid licence, the details of which they have. They can ask me if I have any points (I have none). If they have special needs for data why not say so at the outset.
My view of their competence has not changed. They will never see me again; they will not care though, will they?
OPs first test drive I’m guessing.
Little back street dealers may just let you out in a car uninsured without checking anything but a main dealer with liability insurance and a professional way of running a car sales business would do the DVLA licence check as a matter of course to satisfy their insurers.
It’s the same DVLA licence check before using a courtesy car where the dealer covers the insurance.
Little back street dealers may just let you out in a car uninsured without checking anything but a main dealer with liability insurance and a professional way of running a car sales business would do the DVLA licence check as a matter of course to satisfy their insurers.
It’s the same DVLA licence check before using a courtesy car where the dealer covers the insurance.
Before everyone piles in on the OP I think his beef is not the details he needed to produce but the fact that at no time prior to the test drive - that he booked in advance - was he told what details he would need to produce. If I booked a test drive and they didn’t tell me I wouldn’t know to bring my NI number, I’d probably just turn up with my driving licence too.
Thanks for all the helpful responses.
I am particularly touched by the poster who offered me blessings and would be happy to attend his church and offer him thanks in person.
With regard to ‘having the answer’ but not liking it: quite correct. I do not like this answer although it may be perfectly correct. To woffle on about professionalism and sundry arcane insurance considerations is missing the point that Mr Moxey seemed to pick up quite easily. Many ‘professions’ have internal standards and protocols and I cannot object to that. I can object to their assumption that their customers should understand these without any communication; this seems to represent well that subtle blend of arrogance and ignorance that seems so prevalent today and brings organisations such as this into such deserved disrepute.
By the way, it is my first text drive for 6 years. I am not in the habit of wasting my, or a dealer’s, time on driving cars which I am unlikely to have an interest in buying. Mercedes did not ask for this in 2019 and I bought their car. Yes, the world has moved on but if dealers do not tell customers what they need they end up with disgruntled, ie no, customers.
I am going to bed now. Please pile on as I sleep
I am particularly touched by the poster who offered me blessings and would be happy to attend his church and offer him thanks in person.
With regard to ‘having the answer’ but not liking it: quite correct. I do not like this answer although it may be perfectly correct. To woffle on about professionalism and sundry arcane insurance considerations is missing the point that Mr Moxey seemed to pick up quite easily. Many ‘professions’ have internal standards and protocols and I cannot object to that. I can object to their assumption that their customers should understand these without any communication; this seems to represent well that subtle blend of arrogance and ignorance that seems so prevalent today and brings organisations such as this into such deserved disrepute.
By the way, it is my first text drive for 6 years. I am not in the habit of wasting my, or a dealer’s, time on driving cars which I am unlikely to have an interest in buying. Mercedes did not ask for this in 2019 and I bought their car. Yes, the world has moved on but if dealers do not tell customers what they need they end up with disgruntled, ie no, customers.
I am going to bed now. Please pile on as I sleep
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