The AA sucks - bureaucratic nonsense

[Old Steve]

I went in to book a 6L theory test at the local AA. I was asked for ID identification, so I produced my car drivers license. Then I was asked for my evidence of address identification. What? I only wanted to book my theory test in a couple of days time. No, I had to produce proof of address identification, now, to book a theory test. Do I also have to produce these when I come in to sit the theory test? Yes, you have to produce them again then.

Am I missing something here? Are they worried about someone booking a theory test for someone else, and what would be the harm in that anyway? Or did I strike the AA staff member at a bad time?

The Road Code says, "When you apply for each stage of your license ... you will need to present evidence of your identity and evidence of your address." does that mean you do in fact have to produce this evidence of ID and address when you are only making an appointment to sit the bloody test.

[Latte]

Sounds like you hit a pedant there. I was asked for proof of address when applying to sit 6L and 6R, but not when sitting the actual test.

[Mom]

The Road Code says, "When you apply for each stage of your license ... you will need to present evidence of your identity and evidence of your address." does that mean you do in fact have to produce this evidence of ID and address when you are only making an appointment to sit the bloody test.

Sorry to be the bucket of cold water but, I read "apply" and "making an appointment" to be the same thing in this instance

[blossomsowner]

so what happens when a parent goes to book in jimmy dearest for a test.............??????????

makes no difference what their name is or where they live!!!!!!!!!!

and how does one book in over the phone??????????????/

[Taz]

OldSteve
As that is a stage in the licence process, yes you do. Just supply evidence of your fricken address FFS. You have just failed a step of your licence!

[MSTRS:Me]

so what happens when a parent goes to book in jimmy dearest for a test.............??????????

makes no difference what their name is or where they live!!!!!!!!!!

and how does one book in over the phone??????????????/

Did that ourselves for hXc. Booked, paid for via CC. He had to take proof of ID and address when he turned up for the actual test.

[Bounce001]

When you book over the phone they tell you take that info in with you when you sit the test, even though you have paid already by credit card.

If you go in to book, you need to take id and address with you and you also do the eye test and they take your photo. Then when you sit the actual test this doesn't need to be done. (As long as the test is within one month of booking - if not you will have to do it all again.

[Pascal]

I had similar tribulations with them while booking my Learners. They would not confirm over the telephone when appointments were available. When I eventually sat the test, as I was about 20 minutes early and the only attendee they allowed me to sit it immediately. Then, however, they would not mark it until the time to "really" start the test started. I'm not impressed, generally speaking. And I've got to book my Restricted now as a year on a Learner's is starting to be a shameful excercise.

[Spearfish]

I lost the bottom half of the handling skills test cert, the top half wasn't enough. The explanation I was that we both had to have a piece ?? yep.. that makes sense?
3 hours later land transport faxed the lower section to the AA and was able to sit the last test of the day.

Just to cap it off the computer theory test was faulty so I couldn't use Swahili as a language option, at least they had hundreds of other language options...to match the road signs...aye?

[p.dath]

I don't think this is limited to the AA per-see, it is a requirement of any test centre for driver licencing.

[Hanne]

Can't you book online? I'm pretty sure I booked both my fulls online then turned up early with id, proof of address for photo and eye test...

[firefighter]

It's a bullshit flaw. You can easily have some mail delivered somewhere other than your living address, so it actually only proves that you have that particular mail sent to that particular address, that one time. You could just have it sent there once then change it immediately again anyhow.

Like I said. It proves nothing, and just like most other things kiwi, is bloody stoopid.

[BMWST?]

It's a bullshit flaw. You can easily have some mail delivered somewhere other than your living address, so it actually only proves that you have that particular mail sent to that particular address, that one time. You could just have it sent there once then change it immediately again anyhow.

Like I said. It proves nothing, and just like most other things kiwi, is bloody stoopid.

its a reasonable "test" that you are who say you are and live where you say you live.They could make it a shit load more difficult if they wanted.

[Ixion]

I have personally experienced this issue ("prove your address" ) on various occasions , though not in connection with driver's licence. And it is a *MAJOR PAIN IN THE ARSE*.

I have a post office box. My mail gets sent there. Almost the only mail put in the letter box is junk mail. The few utility bills that come to the letter box are mostly either in Mrs Ixion's name, or in both our names - whcih latter at leats one pedantic bunch of pricks won't accept.

I point out - check the phone book, check the electoral roll. No, they've got to have a blah blah.

It is officious and 1984ish. What business is it of theirs where I live anyway? What are they doing with that information? And how do they know I really live there? At one point I was using my mother's address for such purposes, simply because a few companies kept sending mail addressed to me to an address I hadn't lived at for 40 odd years ! Seriously. Do they never update their mailing lists. But it satisfied the bureacratic wah wahs.

[firefighter]

its a reasonable "test" that you are who say you are and live where you say you live.They could make it a shit load more difficult if they wanted.

How does it show that I live there?

Did you not actually read what I just wrote?

All it shows, is that an envelope arrived at that address with that piece of paper in it, you could be living somewhere else altogether.