VTNZ

This is a poorly run place, wait times for WOFS unacceptable. Hire more staff or get out of the game, I’ve come here many times and it’s always the same

DAVID K is shocking.

Came for my 3rd full license test yesterday and passed. On my 1st attempt, I had David K as my examiner. On my 2nd attempt I had a woman (I think her name was Lisa). On my 3rd attempt I had David K again. Although I passed, I feel that David K should not be allowed to be an examiner. Throughout both of my separate experiences with him, he was unkind, cold, condescending and rude. It immediately sets a tone of unease and creates an environment which encourages you to make a mistake because of how nervous you are in his presence. I agree with the statements in other reviews from people that he must have some kind of power trip as he seems to get enjoyment out of failing people. On my 1st test, I was failed because I “failed to stop”. This “failure to stop” occurred at a traffic light where we had been waiting for 3 sets of light changes before I got to the front. The light turned from green to orange JUST AS I crossed the line. He immediately let out a big dramatic sigh and directed me back to the VTNZ. When we parked up, he grinned as he told me I failed because of what happened at the lights and began scolding me for “how dangerous it was”. An orange light? Really? There was no time for me to stop safely. If I stopped as it turned orange I would’ve been in the middle of the intersection. I really wish I could’ve filmed this as I know for a fact it was an unfair fail. What disturbed me the most was how much enjoyment he seemed to get out of telling me I had failed. When I came into VTNZ yesterday for my full license test, I was hoping I would not get David again. Unfortunately, I did and I was immediately discouraged and felt as though I had wasted my money again as he would look for ANY bizarre and unjust reason to fail me. This is NOT the experience customers should receive when visiting a VTNZ, especially for a license test where customers are already nervous because of the circumstances. Not to mention, the fees (around $150 for a first time booking) are much too high to be treated so poorly. Regardless of that, I’m surprised with so many reviews here that mention David K by name and describe their individual horrible experiences that he is STILL employed by this branch. NO, I do NOT want the same generic reply from VTNZ customer support to “file a complaint” that all the other reviews have received. The overwhelming amount of reviews that describe his terrible attitude and nature should have resulted in action by this VTNZ already. His employment gives this entire branch a bad reputation and it’s extremely disappointing that VTNZ have chosen to overlook the ABUNDANCE of negative feedback regarding David K. Lisa, the examiner I had on my second try was SO kind, SO welcoming and SO friendly. I have absolutely zero complaints about her. She was very fair and explained why I had failed in a very reasonable tone which made it very easy for me to understand what went wrong. I left that experience with no hard feelings or resentment. The ladies at the reception are also very kind and friendly people, which makes me further frustrated that VTNZ has not taken action against David. There are so many good employees at this branch, yet David completely corrupts the scales and tarnishes the reputation severely. People should not have to fear their examiner. I HOPE that VTNZ has a semblance of any standard and discontinues their employment of David K. If not, they should be utterly ashamed. Once again, I do not want the same rubbish generic response of “file this complaint” because it’s an extra hassle FOR ME that clearly incites zero action or change from VTNZ. I am going through the hassle of writing this review publicly so that everyone can read this and STAY CLEAR from this branch if David K is still employed as an examiner. This is not the experience VTNZ should continue to subject it’s paying customers to. It’s absolutely disgusting and needs to be sorted out immediately.

Great staff, thorough inspection for that safety factor, thanks for the friendly atmosphere, highly recommended

Hard to time it right as sometimes there is a long wait, but if you bring a book or something to do while you wait for a WOF chances are there will be no ques.

Staff are friendly and very helpful.

Very unprofessional driver instructor. David will find the ways to fail you just because he have authority. VTNZ look at all the reviews from past and stop asking to submit complaint as you not gonna do anything.

Just when I thought this place couldn’t get any worse! Cones up 3pm, closed, not a car insight inside getting a WOF or queuing. Closes at 5pm?

Went for my restricted driving test this morning at VTNZ Silverdale and was super nervous. There were four testing officers on duty and I ended up with David (who I see some negative reviews about).

My experience was the total opposite…
He greeted me warmly and made me feel very comfortable throughout my test. Before we left VTNZ he asked me if I had any questions about anything before we drove off. In conclusion David is a lovely person, came across as very professional and good at his job. Definitely a myth that all first time applicants get rejected and fail. Happy to have passed, thank you!

Popped in for reg replacement form. Very helpful front desk lady. Helped and advised and printed off form for me.

Counter staff are very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. However when you are standing in a queue of 10 people and every customer is asked for their email, phone number and address and if they would like an email reminder if can get very frustrating. I know this is part of their marketing success but there are times when you just need to move it along. Honestly this enough of annoyance to stop me from going here again.

Practically impossible to get a WOF done here, arrived at 12: 30pm and was told there was a two hour wait, so I came back at 3: 30pm thinking it would be less busy and found they had shut the WOF testing early. Infuriating.

Poor service, rude staff. Office hrs are until 5pm; however if you want to renew a license they only help you before 3: 30. I took time of work and got there at 3: 15;waited in line. Apart from me, there was one person in front of me. They ran the clock out and exacly 3: 30 told me that they are not going to help me. These ppl are brutal and have no mercy or kindness

VERY DISAPPOINTING. DO NOT TAKE YOUR TEST HERE UNLESS YOU WANT TO WASTE YOUR MONEY, GAS, EFFORT AND TIME.

MONEY SUCKING TEST CENTRE
Im not very happy with the result of my test which I think was very unreasonable. My support person totally agreed with me, she mentioned looks like the examiner was being racist as the treatment and result was shocking.
If there were any mistakes, that would be signalling early.
I SIGNALLED ON ALL TURNS AND OVERLY ACTED ON MY HEAD TURNS.

VTNZ Silverdale is infamous for failing students, and I think it is true now.
3rd time is ridiculous.
the road was busy as it was early in the morning and I was able to do everything right.
She was shocked that I was asked to turn in the main road where it was a busy lane, and I did it.
I did all signals/indicators early which meant it will keep on until I turn.
I was smack on with my speed
I stopped on all stop signs

THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND VERY UNREASONABLE.
All comments in your website says so.

Never again. This would be the least productive workplace I have ever encountered in my 35- years of driving. The wait for a WoF was insane. I thought I would give them another try but deeply regretted it. There are far better options on the coast for a timely & professional WoF.

My son has failed 5 times for his driver's licence for whatI feel really minor issues this system is crazy you cant speak to anyone about it so they just keep failing.
System is broken!

Slow, painful, inconsistent and unhelpful. A trip to the dentist is more fun than this place.

Guys do NOT go there for your driving test! The examiner David is extremely arrogant and rude, he did not even sit in my car and just failed me directly, just because my passenger seat cannot be moved and he said he couldn’t fit in whereas the last trsr’s examiner I had at other VTNZ is the same height as him and was so kind and nice said it’s fine and fitted in with no problem, David just rejected rudely and told me to leave. He also refused to switch me to another female examiner who’s short than him and could sit in the car with no problem, whereas later another kind staff there offered this solution which David said couldn’t be done like this. Altho there’s no other space available, but I still appreciate the other staff’s effort, which made the obvious contrast with what David did and said. I asked for leave for that day for the driving test, and drove back n forth 100km for the test and hadn’t even started driving and just got failed by this arrogant and rude examiner. I asked can I at least get a refund and also got rejected rudely, maybe he thinks he’s the king of the exam and can decide other people’s result randomly and based on his mind so just fail people unfairly. I am an Asian female, I wonder if I were a white person his attitude will be way different and politer. Haven’t seen such a rude person like that since I came to NZ. Speechless.

Proof that not all franchises are run the same way.would prefer to travel a little longer to come to this VTNZ than others around North Auckland. Great, friendly team who simply know their stuff and do it really well!

They keep failing you, so that they can make some more money out of you. Even for very minor mistakes, they just fail you. That is such a rip off. Seems like they are not interested in our driving, they just want to back to the office and have their coffee that's why they fail us in stage one

I've been using VTNZ Silverdale for a few years. Recently I've heard experiences of inconsistent WOF failures. I took my car there last month and it failed on two issues. They said I needed to have a dent on the sill repaired. I pointed out that the damage had been there for 18 months and in which time it had passed a WOF at this exact location. Secondly the front left cross member was damaged and needed attention.
I took the car to the panel beaters and he could see no damage on the cross member and was at a loss to exactly why VTNZ had failed it on both issues. I had the sill fixed and returned the car for a retest. Lo and behold it passed! No enquiry as to why the cross member hadn't been touched. And one wonders if the sill actually needed fixing in the first instance. Needless to say I'll be going elsewhere in future.

VTNZ Silverdale refused to do my full licence test because the officer, David K, failed me for a small chip in my brake light. The light was working. Only the cover had a nail sized chip. The test was over before it started. David was cold and intimidating. Totally unsuited for the job. The only reason you see a single star is because it is the minimum requirement to post. Please note that I give this place a 0 rating. I would recommend VTNZ Saturn Place. They are efficient and approachable. The chip in the brake light cover did not stop my test and my testing officer was polite, efficient and approachable. Get your act together, VTNZ Silverdale.