A total of 57 complaints have been registered against Driving Schools in Fiji over the last three years amounting to $21,430.
Consumer Council of Fiji’s CEO, Seema Shandil says the Alternative Dispute Resolution Division has noted a pattern like these complaints, which includes written contracts not being provided to learners, receipts of payments being withheld and driving schools failing to deliver the agreed number of classes.
Shandil says other troubling issues involve instructors neglecting to fill out mandatory workbooks, and reports of unprofessional, and even aggressive conduct by instructors.
She says these are not isolated incidents as they reflect a worrying trend that puts both the consumer and the integrity of driver education at risk.
The CEO says in several cases, consumers paid hundreds of dollars with no formal agreements to support their claims, which leaves learners with little to no recourse when problems arise.
She further says some driving schools are taking consumers for a ride and warns that learners and parents must take the time to ask questions, check school credentials, and ensure everything is in writing from the beginning.
She adds that the Council is increasing its outreach and monitoring efforts to ensure fair trading practices are upheld in the driver education industry.
People can lodge their complaints by calling the National Consumer Helpline on 155.
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