How old were you when you took your driving test? And what does being able to drive mean to you?

I did not learn till I was nearly 30 and had lessons with two DDs strapped in car seats in the back. There simply had been no opportunity to learn before then as we had no car!

I had an hour off from work to take my test, and when I got back to the office I had a call from my late OH to say "Don't worry love, no-one passes first time." I took a deep breath and told him that I HAD passed. In the ensuing conversation it became clear that he had failed first time, although previously I remember him telling me he had passed....hmmm!

Driving is essential to me as I live in a rural area.

60 years ago and I was 19. I took three attempts though with hindsight I really should not have taken the first two. This was in St Andrews (one set of traffic lights, one roundabout!) and in the summer holidays my dad took me in hand and I had to drive his much bigger car, with no power steering, covering different environments. When I got back to StA, I passed with ease - the same examiner! Then, my two younger sisters passed first time and I have never been allowed to forget that.

I passed my test first time aged 17 and in school uniform. My father was a car enthusiast and so had a series of exotic old cars which I drove while I was still living at home including a Lagonda and an Alvis. So I like big cars and we have had a succession of big cars. DH never that keen on driving, I always loved it so gradually did more and more. I would hate to have to stop driving, I hope I am a good safe driver.

I was 23. We had no family car until then. I was determined to learn after my Dad purchased the car.
I learnt to drive in a mini. My instructor said that if you can drive a mini, you can drive anything.
I have always enjoyed driving, DD says I'm a better driver than DH.
I am now rather nervous about driving at night. I have cataracts developing, and headlights coming towards me are dazzling more than they used to.

I passed my test aged 23, pregnant with ds2 and living in a village with little in the way of a bus service.

My first car was a Citroen Diane which had to be started in 2nd gear.

We then moved and only needed one car so we sold mine and I drove dh's Volvo. That spoiled me and I now hate small cars.

I love driving, am good at it and am confident driving anywhere. It is my freedom and I go for a drive to clear my head - or at least I did.

Early 30s. My first test was a complete disaster. It shouldn't have been as I knew I was a good driver but I just went to pieces.
At the time I had read about snooker players taking beta blockers to calm their nerves.
I went to my doctor, explained my test ? and asked him for beta blockers. He put me on them for a week to see how I felt.
On the day of my test I felt like any other day. Passed.

I was 45. Took 7 attempts to pass my test. Not because I couldn't drive but because I couldn't control my test nerves. I finally passed by speaking constantly to the examiner. Telling him all my thought processes to explain why I was doing something like not travelling at 30mph because the pot holes in the road made it too dangerous. I don't know if the thought processes helped him understand me or simply calmed my nerves although he did say at the end that I should have failed for not doing 30mph down another road but my reasoning that a) each side street of this road was a play street with a much slower speed limit and children might be more likely to run out simply because this was the only faster street and b) I wasn't causing an obstruction or holding up traffic because there was nothing behind me. He said technically it was a fail but it made so much sense that he wasn't going to hold it against me.

Letting me learn to drive was my ex's big mistake. He saw me as a on demand taxi mainly to and from the pub but actually it became my means of escape. I could disappear in my car for hours on end. Every Sunday I left the house before 7am, stopped at the local Tesco local to buy a newspaper and snacks then drive to the coast for the day. I'd walk, sit and read my paper and generally chill. It also meant that I could start to plan my escape as I no longer needed to live close to work. My car became my safe place and I loved her.

I ve never driven never owned a car and never took a test I seem to have managed life ok
Mum and dad never had a car nor any of my grandparents although one granddad could drive
Am I the lonely only ?

Passed my test second time aged 21. Never a very keen driver I learnt because it gave me independence and it still does which I value very highly.
DH recently suggested that we only need one car now but I refused as he wants an automatic and I don't.
I hope I am able to drive for many years to come even if I don't go far.

Passed at 24 after several attempts due to nerves. Had a gap and tried with another instructor and passed first time with him. I’m a pretty confident driver but have a terrible sense of direction so familiar driving is fine, even long distance but I do get a bit anxious driving completely new routes and use google maps on my phone. Love the freedom it gives me.

Just drove again at the end of last week after car being parked for 8 weeks and it started first time bless it!

Passed first time at 17 years of age and have loved driving ever since. Cars went from old unreliable mini mayfair convertible, renault 5 which I sold privately to a BMW driver! yaris (1 litre engine so no oomph) and a Mazda MX5 2L which I have now had for 14 years… love it to bits.. I always slightly resent having hubby in the car as I note the difference in the weight/balance ratio ;-)

Passed my test first time, aged 20 18th December 1973. I even remember the cost of each lesson was £1.98. I used to give the instructor £2.00 and he gave me 2p change.

Petrol then was 38p a gallon! The first time I drove on my own after the test was to my friends house in Tipton (we lived in Wolverhampton) I remember I kept looking at the empty passenger seat and it felt very odd.

My first car was a little mini van and it cost me £60.

As most have said, driving meant independence, and I used to love it. Not so keen now as the traffic is so heavy and lots of impatient drivers on the road. So now I tend to use bus and train if I can, but now that is off the agenda for a while, so back to the car!

I was 21 and passed first time. I have found it a useful skill to have over the years but I have never enjoyed it. I was happy using buses, trains, metro and taxis. Frequently using an app to get to new places. However, now having a car would make life easier. It will be something to consider when life returns.

Does anyone watch that program about the driving test where Alan Carr does the commentary ? Its really quite funny.

I was 29 and the first person in my entire family to drive. Once I got my little banger Fiesta (later stolen) I was very popular.

I was 17. Passed first time! I’m amazed (with hindsight) that my Dad let me take his car out for a spin, on my own, on the same day . I love driving and would be totally lost without wheels. I was fortunate to inherit my Grandfathers old Austin A30, then my Mum’s Austin 1100 when she upgraded. The first car I bought was a Triumph Spitfire which I sadly had to relinquish when DD1 arrived : couldn't get the carrycot on the back shelf. No such thing as seat belts then ... The same DD passed her test at just 17. She. couldn't wait to drive either.

I took tests at 17, 22, 32 (and pregnant), and about 50, and failed them all.

I would love to be able to drive, particularly now that public transport is so risky (and, presumably difficult to access). I have owned two cars over the years, and had lessons in them, but to no avail. One was automatic, but whilst it was a lot easier, I still didn't pass a test. It is one of my very few regrets that I didn't just keep re-taking tests until I eventually passed one.

My dds both took 3 goes to pass, at 18.
Cost us a fortune in lessons, but by the time they passed they’d had so many, in a busy area, that I did feel they were reasonably safe to be let loose on the roads in my fairly elderly car.

OTOH a friend of a dd had just 12 lessons in a very quiet country area where her family had a holiday home, passed there first time - and then for over a year was too scared to drive the car her folks had bought her, in the much busier SW London area where she lived!

BTW Charleygirl, automatics are easy! I’ve had both, and when we were back in the U.K. for summer leave from abroad, I’d swap between the 2 without even thinking.

Going from an automatic to a manual, on the other hand....

Passed my test first time at 29. I was such a nervous driver that I'd never have tried again if I'd failed it.

Worst moment just after I'd taken it was in a hospital car park. I was parked quite close to the car next to me and when I came to back out (I know, should have backed in) I just seemed to get closer and closer to it. I just couldn't manage to steer in the right direction!

It took me about a year to get really confident driving on my own.

I absolutely love driving now and will be devastated when I have to stop.

I passed my test first time when I was 17 in the long hot summer of 76. I have barely driven since and have no intention of driving again! I hate cars and the very thought of being behind a wheel fills me with dread. My husband has been recently diagnosed with a visual impairment and is now unable to drive. After 3 months of me driving very badly and very anxiously, we decided to dump the car. On the nights before I was due to drive I couldn't sleep. It's ridiculous as I'm normally a very 'sorted' person but I seem to have such a phobia about driving a car. However, I love my push bike! I fully intend to never stop riding it, even when I get very very old! We both love travelling by train so its all good!

It's...

Passed first time aged 45. My ex had just left me, told me I was too stupid to learn, I could only ever drive an automatic so that was a red rag to a bull.

I remember the examiner told me to take the next left which I did. 100 yards on I stopped suddenly- he asked why and I said that was a no entry. He said would I instruct you to do that- I said no, relaxed because I thought I had failed.

My usual 5 point turn was a perfect 3 and my reversing around a corner was also perfect- I usually mounted the pavement or parked with a large gap to the pavement.

I moved house not long after and the removal fellows were so good, slowing down to make sure I was still following them!

I have never been a confidant driver although driving in London did not bother me and in those days I worked and could park there.

Now it is so useful for shopping but I do realise my driving days will soon be over. I have never driven and would not know how to drive an automatic!

Passed the test at age 27 at the fourth attempt. I was eight months pregnant, tum almost touching the steering wheel. I think he was glad to get me out of the car!

I love driving and OH and I take it in turns. It means independence to me. I would hate to be stranded should anything happen to OH, healthwise.

Why do people move to the country, if they can't drive? It a must, surely.

Remember the electricity strikes in the 71, in those very dark streets I learnt to drive, I was 21. The streets were so dark you couldn't recognize where you were but I passed my test first go. I don't have my original papers as I had to give them in exchange for French ones which, in turn got changed for Chinese ones. Did you know that in the early 90s, women in China were frowned upon to drive there, moreover, if they were over 50 they were not allowed to drive at all! I am so happy to be able to drive.

I was around 24, later than a couple of my friends who learnt and passed aged 18, but they had dads who took them out in the family car, there was no way my father would have wanted to teach me. Even my mother learnt with a driving school and not with him. I passed my test on my 2nd attempt thank God! sick to death of the perpetual practice of "reversing round corners", which is hardly ever required in reality. Parallel parking, now where was the practice for that

I was very glad I drove when my children were young, otherwise it would have impeded their social life no end I was a permanent taxi service in those days, plus it was invaluable for when I went back to work part time for my husband and had to combine that with school pick ups etc. I've had a car since I gave up work full time to have my first child, I'd hate to be without a car,although I can't say I love driving, I definitely prefer to be driven.