Recognition for a local school

Robert Pitts

Comment online since November 11th 2008
I am interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor for the Yarmouth Vanguard, even though I'm not from your area. It is information that is relevent to Nova Scotians in general. It is rather long. Would you be able to publish it in its entirely, even if you had to print it in installments over the course of a few days? If so, could you let me know the date(s)? Thanks very much. Here is the letter:

To The Editor,

I am writing to voice concern regarding unsatisfactory experiences I have had with our local Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Having said that however, there are excellent, knowledgeable staff at this location who deliver top notch service to we, the public, and I take this time to commend them on a job well done. It is very much appreciated.

My concern arose in October 2007 at which time I took a motorcycle learner’s test. During the “pre trip” motorcycle check, I listed several valid items, but was not given credit for some of them. When I questioned the Driver Enhancement Officer (DEO), I got no response. During the actual road test, I was asked to perform a “serpentine” maneuver. I did this task according to the turning limitations of my bike, being careful not to ride over any course markers. I was told that I needed to make wider sweeps while navigating these markers, something that my bike simply could not do as a result of its limited turning abilities. When I did attempt to do as instructed, I simply could not. My bike was not capable of turning as sharp as other models (even during maximum turning application). What I should have done was asked her to demonstrate, knowing very well that what she asked was impossible for anyone, including her, while riding this style of motorcycle. I was asked to perform an emergency stop. I successfully did so while riding in 1st gear, but afterwards I was told I should have been in at least 2nd gear. She should have told me this beforehand. I made a second successful attempt at the emergency stop, this time while in 2nd gear, but I did not proceed immediately afterwards as instructed. She asked why I did not proceed and I simply pointed to the oncoming traffic and told her that it would have been inappropriate for me to do so. Obviously she was not watching/directing traffic as she explained she would. At this time she said “I don’t have time for this. I’m going to be late for my next appointment.” (She made no apologies for being 20 minutes late for mine.) At this time she asked that I park the bike and then we’d review my grade. I was even penalized for not shutting off the fuel valve. There is no fuel valve shut off on my bike and when I asked her why I was penalized, I got no reply. By this time, as you might imagine, I was dumbfounded. I left the RMV frustrated and angered, and I firmly believed that this DEO had no motorcycle riding experience whatsoever.

The more I thought about this experience, the greater was my need to have this issue investigated. Never in my life have I taken a test that I was not ready for, including this learner’s motorcycle test. Throughout the summer of 2007 I spent many hours training to ride, with an experienced knowledgeable trainer who was awesome and made it both a challenging and fun experience. I contacted the DEO coordinator’s office in Sydney to discuss my story and air my concerns. He assured me this DEO was more than qualified to do her job and he offered to let me redo the test free of charge, and initially I did seriously consider this. As well he told me the testing program is standardized across this province, but clearly this is not true, as I will try to point out. In the meantime we arranged to meet at the MacLellan’s Brook location, with the DEO, in early December 2007. I compiled a list of questions I wanted answered. At this meeting, none of my concerns were resolved and in fact I left there even more frustrated than before. I decided then that I would have no part in being retested by this department. She and her superior made no attempt to explain/correct her mistakes, nor did I receive an apology from either of them. What should have been a challenging and rewarding experience was anything but that. Instead what I did get was unprofessionalism, arrogance, incompetence and the inability for this DEO to effectively work with and for the public.

Over the winter months I did more investigating of my own and what I have learned and continue to learn is most interesting. I spoke with one fellow who was told prior to his learner’s test, that he would not be required to do the pre-trip check because his bike was brand new and was never driven on any roadway. Another man I talked to was told that all practical maneuvers would be in first gear only. Two more gentlemen I spoke with told me that they had “help” with their pre-trip checks. Another point of interest is that not all testing locations require you to follow a designated course (no markings or pylons), whereby no turn signals or shoulder checks were required. I even learned of a man who, several years ago, rode his motorcycle to his final practical test so that he would receive his Endorsement. When he arrived for his appointment, he was told that since he had driven in the rain, he proved he was qualified to ride and so did not need to be tested. He received his Endorsement and no final test was ever performed. He has been riding safely and without incident for years. All of these people had taken their tests at locations other than MacLellan’s Brook.

I also spoke with some folks about their experiences and thoughts regarding our local DEO. To date I have not received even one positive comment about this lady. If I have learned this much in such a short time, one would assume that the DEO coordinator would have heard far more over time. Why was this kind of behavior tolerated for so long? Several people have said to me that they have tried 2 and some even 3 times to pass a road test with this lady (motorcycle or car) with no success. Then when tested at another location, there was no problem doing so. I can understand failing once, but 2 or 3 times? I find this suspicious. I have learned of a woman who lost her license for impaired driving, and rightly so. She did her time and subsequently performed another road test. She had no problem passing the test but afterwards, this DEO phoned the RMV in Halifax to explain that this client had passed her retest but she felt she did not deserve to have a driver’s license. She was advised by the Halifax office that if the client has successfully passed her test, then there was no reason she should not have her license. What right did this DEO have to make that call? Was she judging her client on the way she spoke or the way she was dressed, or on why she lost her license to begin with? What? She is there to judge a client on driving skills; nothing else. A DEO is an essential part of any RMV office and like any other person working in these offices they are there to serve the public. If any one of these people is unable to effectively and respectfully serve the public, then they need to be removed.

In March of this year my case was referred to the Manager, Operations Support in Halifax. At this time I was only interested in having my failing grade overturned due to the many irregularities during my test. Of course this manager was unwilling to do that and so my concerns were then referred to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles in Halifax. Again my request was denied. I contacted the office of the Ombudsman in April who agreed to investigate on my behalf. They spoke with the Manager, Operations and once again I was advised that the RMV was within their rights to offer me a retest at no charge. Frankly, I didn’t care if they were within their rights. No one in this department seemed to care that my rights as a law abiding, tax paying citizen were grossly violated. It does concern me that the Office of the Ombudsman was unable to do more. I learned nothing new from them. What is their real purpose? I can’t see it. I’m hopeful that others have had success with them. I had a legitimate complaint and nothing was done, that wasn’t already done. They knew that I was no longer willing to do a retest and that I required more. I am pleased to say that this offending DEO has since retired; at least this is what I’ve been told. I guess I can only hope that she is no longer working with the public in any capacity. I can’t help but wonder too, why her unprofessionalism was allowed to go on for years. I think we have the right to know.

This past July I participated in the Motorcycle Training Program and had an amazing experience. There were 4 instructors (1 lead) and 13 students. I can’t possibly give enough praise for these instructors. They were professional, knowledgeable, respectful, and fun too. Initially I wanted to get my Motorcycle Learner’s Permit and then obtain several months riding experience before doing the MTP in 2008, to further my knowledge and skill. But alas, our local DEO robbed me of this riding time, for which I will never ever get back. And still I am left with many unanswered questions; like: was she disciplined? I am resigned to the fact that I’ll probably never know even though I feel I have a right to know. As another point of interest I am 43, with 27 years as a licensed driver and no accidents or violations. My lead MTP instructor said to me at the end of the training that I was a good rider, and demonstrated this throughout the entire program. I had not been on a bike since my learner’s test 9 months previously, in October 2007. If only the DEO had shown good common sense I could have proved this to her as well.

My reason for writing is simply to share my experiences and maybe in some way be able to help folks realize that we don’t have to stand for these kinds of injustices. Is it any wonder that some people have little or no faith in government and their various departments? If more people voice their concerns, then perhaps positive change is more attainable. Those of you who work with the public, and do so with respect, I want you know that you are invaluable and very much appreciated. I tip my hat to you all. Thanks for listening.

Robert Pitts