Galadari Motor Driving Centre [GMDC] review: Driving test package

My journey with Galadari Motor Driving School has been nothing short of a nightmare, filled with administrative incompetence, unprofessionalism, and unethical practices.

Initially, my experience was marked by multiple administrative errors, including 3 incorrect booking slots for my driving test and unresponsive agents, leading to unnecessary expenses and delays. The first booking was outside working hours, the second during their lunch break, and the third on a Sunday when the center was closed. This forced me to bear the unnecessary expense of commuting to the center on each occasion. When I expressed my desire to cancel my file due to these repeated errors, the management apologized and assured me that such mistakes would not recur. However, upon insisting on cancellation, I was astoundingly offered to pass the internal test without attending it as a resolution to their errors. This proposal was both unethical and concerning. Eventually, I was provided with the first available slot to complete my test.

Subsequently, I faced issues while booking my RTA test. An agent confirmed a slot and then disappeared for an entire week. After relentless follow-ups, I was informed by the main office that the agent was on vacation and the slots were no longer available, pushing my appointment back by two weeks.I suspect this delay was intentional to incur additional fees, as a file expires in three months. I was left with no choice but to pay extra to reopen my file.

Despite clearing the additional fees, I was either informed that their system was down or promised a callback within 24 hours, which never materialized and 5 days went by. All out of options, I posted a google review strongly advising against enrolling with them.I was promptly contacted by the school's team, urging me to remove my review in exchange for immediate assistance.

Miraculously, slots that were previously unavailable became accessible for my parking test.

Upon completing the test, I was informed that I had failed and so I left. However, after leaving, I received 14 missed calls from the center informing me that I had actually passed, same as another student who found out only after insisting on viewing his test video.This correction was supposedly due to a system error—a practice, I learned, was common and seemed designed to extort students for retest fees.

The ordeal didn't end there. Now that I had passed the parking test, the next step was to book my Highway test. I was frustrated to be informed that my passing status hadn't been updated in their system and therefore I couldn't move to the next stage. Despite explaining the situation to multiple executives, I was asked to provide evidence of a piece of paper with the word 'pass' scribbled on it. I hadn't held on to this paper for any of the previous tests especially since their entire system for booking, payments, appointments, and test results was all digital.

To come to a resolution, their proposed solutions were either impractical or outright unethical, including bribing their staff.

I was shockingly given the option of both cash and online payment to a personal bank account.

This situation has not only wasted my time and incurred additional costs but has also exposed a deeply flawed and corrupt system within the school.

Despite my efforts, I am now faced with the prospect of visiting the center again to resolve an issue that is no fault of my own, further delaying my progress and leading to more expenses as my file nears expiration.

I am compelled to share this experience to warn potential students of the reality of dealing with Galadari Motor Driving School.

I strongly advise against enrolling with them and encourage others to consider alternative schools like Emirates or Belhasa.