A mother has been left devastated after being told that she had passed her driving test - only to have the news reversed the next day on her birthday.
Kelsie Murphy, 22, had everything to celebrate: she had become a mum for the second time shortly before, it was her birthday and she had just passed her driving test at the second time of asking.
She had been told that she had passed with just six minors and no majors, only for her to receive a phone call from the DVSA to inform her that, in fact, she had failed.
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"I have no idea where the major mark came from," she said. "As far as I knew, everything had gone smoothly.
"I feel like the unluckiest person ever because they told me it hasn't happened to anyone but me.
"My examiner said 'congratulations you've got yourself an early birthday present- you've passed'. I was so happy, nearly crying, but holding myself back because I didn't want to embarrass myself.
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"I've been through a lot in my life and I was over the moon that things were finally going well for me. My driving instructor came running over to me because she could see the smile on my face. The examiner went through the paper with us, showing me that I only had six minors."
Kelsie did her test at Herne Bay Driving Test Centre in Kent. She had - or at least she thought she had - six minor faults, well below the fifteen minors that are allowed in order to be awarded an interim driving licence.
She returned to her home in Broadstairs to celebrate and was greeted by family and friends with balloons, banners and cards. She had already purchased a car with her mother and sent her papers off to the DVLA when she was informed that she hadn't actually passed.
A letter from Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency Operational Delivery Manager, Mark Aston read: "After your test on Wednesday 11th April at 13:35 our in-house checks identified a serious fault had been assessed and recorded during your test but due to an administrative error, your examiner issued a pass.
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"You can only pass your test if you receive fewer than 15 driving faults and there are no serious or dangerous faults recorded. With this in mind, I am sorry to confirm that you have not passed your driving test and that you should only be driving in accordance with the provisional licence regulations.
"Finally, please accept my sincere apologies for any upset and inconvenience that this error may have caused."
Kelsie said: "They told me there was a serious mark down on the paper. I just didn't get it.
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"The man passed me and he wouldn't have done so had the serious mark been there. The examiner is still sure that I should have passed, so we have no idea what's happened.
"It's really upsetting and stressful to have to go through this and it makes me want to give up on my driving. I'm determined to stay strong and sort the situation out."
A spokesperson from the DVSA said: "DVSA is unable to comment on any ongoing investigations, but we apologise for any inconvenience this error may have caused."
Featured Image Credit: Triangle NewsTopics: kent, News, Driving, UK, Driving test