A TEENAGER who took her driving test almost three weeks ago still has no idea if she has passed or failed.

Farhat Quraishi, of Wimberley Road, Blackburn, was elated after she successfully completed the practical half of the test on July 8.

The 17-year-old took the new written section of the driving examination the following day and was told she would be notified of her result within seven to 10 days.

But 18 days later the exasperated student is still waiting to discover if she can discard her L-plates.

Her angry father Mac, who has been trying to find out his daughter's result for a week, suspects that test bosses may have lost Farhat's examination paper.

Mr Quraishi said: "I have been constantly ringing the DVLA and have spoken to various people. None of them has been able to come up with the outcome.

"My daughter saved all her money to take lessons and do her test. Under the old scheme she would have passed and been free to drive.

"I am beginning to think they have lost the paper. But there will be lots of disappointed kids out there if the same thing is happening to them."

Farhat sat the written exam at the test centre in Chapel Street, Preston, after passing the practical section in Blackburn.

It was her second attempt at the test after failing first time round in June.

A spokeswoman for the Driving Standards Agency apologised for the delay.

She said: "The situation regarding Miss Quraishi is unacceptable. The postal strike has delayed things a bit and we have had a few minor problems with computer technology surrounding our marking system.

"The usual notification date is between seven to 10 days and generally people have been receiving their result within that time."

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