It's 80 years since the driving test became compulsory.

If you've taken a test did how many attempts did you take to pass? How many lessons did you have?

I passed first time but had to have lots of lessons, around 50 if memory serves me right. I had just met Mrs. H. and her last boyfriend had a car so I was determined to get one so I could taker out.

I was very nervous on my first lessons, I went to a driving school on Arkwright Street, the instructor used to take me down the Trent Embankment and even at 20 mph I was shaking like a leaf, I remember my instructor being very hard on me and telling me to get a grip on myself or I would never be able to drive.

When the day if the test finally came I was a lot more proficient although very nervous on the day, when the instructor told me I had passed I could have kissed him.

What are your memories.

I was taking lessons for about two years, I passed my test first time though. I took my test in an old diesel Ford Fiesta. When I parked it on a slope for a hill start, it crept slowly downhill despite me putting on the handbrake as far as it would go. Luckily the instructor realised it was the car and not me! I used to drive a lot, haven't driven in years now though.

 

There's a saying in Germany: mit dem Ford fort, mit dem Zug zurück. It means loosely, "If you go there with the Ford, you come back on the train".

Did around 10 lessons, passed first time. Didn't come to a complete halt at a stop sign, but got away with it as the tester was a legend. 

I haven't passed yet but I believe I am doing well, so it's only a matter of when now and when I do I will head here to share my account of passing. I also hope I can buy @Drivingmenotts a drink for being a fantastic driving instructor.

Obviously this would be at a Notts game.

I haven't passed yet but I believe I am doing well, so it's only a matter of when now and when I do I will head here to share my account of passing. I also hope I can buy @Drivingmenotts a drink for being a fantastic driving instructor.

Obviously this would be at a Notts game.

 

 

I hope @Drivingmenotts is more patient with you than my instructor was with me 40 years ago, he didn't take any prisoners and was very critical but it was probably just what I needed to make myself "man up" and get over my nerves.

I had been driving well before I took my test, so I found it quite easy. Things used to be more laid back than they are now, it did help having land to learn on as my parents used to own a farm.

My actual test I dont remember much of I am afraid but I did pass first time.

Passed my test in a tank before my car test. Also have my C+E (HGV 1) and never driven one since passing the test 15 years ago

Regards Al

You Pies!

i am still learning, im not doing lessons very regularly at the moment tho.

I was 17 when I took my test. I had not gone far and all was well, approaching a zebra crossing at 30mph.

without looking a woman stepped on to the road where the zig zag lines were, yards away from the crossing but what seemed like inches from the car.

I stood on the brake, the car stopped and the tester banged his nose on his clip board. (didn't have a seat belt on)

I missed her, somehow  and passed the emergency stop,.but it shook me up. I carried on only to fail for not making due progress. 2 months later I passed.

I had to take FOUR of the bastards! First time it was at like 7am and I was so nervous I ended up sleeping about an hour the night before. Second and third time I had a horrendous tester who was a spitting image of Boris Johnson and about as obnoxious. Fourth time I nailed it but yeah, I dread to think of the money I spent.

Passed the car test first time after 6 lessons, in Germany, much easier... no roundabouts to contend with.

Passed HGV test first time after a week training, and then looked to do HGV class 1 passed that on the third attempt, how can they fail you for the fact your instructors truck had a fault... grrrrr.