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

Passed my test first time , two months before my 18th birthday. Taught my my Dad and and 6 lessons with BSM.
So glad I learned them and have driven ever since. However, I don’t enjoy driving but love the independence and choices it gives me. Changed to automatic about 20 years ago and wouldn’t go back to manual. Not a bit interested in cars , as long as they are reliable and not too big.

When my 17th birthday was coming up my father said he'd pay for a course of driving lessons. I was disappointed because I really wanted some new clothes.

The best present I ever had.

Took my test for first time aged 27 and 8 months pregnant...I failed, examiners face was a picture when he called my name and I stood up. My husband was made redundant shortly after and we didn't then have the funds for me to try again after our daughter was born. When 2nd daughter was almost 2, I decided to try again ( by this time I was on my own with the girls) I took my test the day after my divorce final came through and passed, I was almost 32 and have never looked back, there have been times when I haven't had a car but I enjoy driving and the independence it gives me. I rely on my car for work, love taking my DGC for days out and visiting family and friends - would definitely miss my car.

I was 17 and still at school. When it came to the test the examiner called my name and we went out to the car. Just as we approached it I felt my suspender belt snap, and my stockings begin to descend, so got in and sat down as quickly as I could. I coped with the first manoeuvres, but my nerves just got worse, each time I used the clutch to change gear my stockings would descend an inch further. I was so tense that I got an agonising cramp in my foot and asked the examiner if we could stop for a moment. He was very sympathetic and suggested I should get out of the car and try and work it off. I realised disaster would happen if I stood up, and insisted that I was okay to carry on. I completed the test still crippled with pain, and waited for the inevitable failure slip. There was a pause, and the examiner said “Well Miss ***, I am sure it comes as no surprise to you to learn that you have passed!”

I sat in the car, stunned, waiting for my instructor to return, and he signalled for me to slide over into the passenger seat and got into the car with a somewhat apologetic look on his face. He felt he had to ask how it went ‘Well?’ ‘I passed’ I said. His face just lit up, it became obvious, and indeed he confessed, that I was the first of his pupils ever to pass, he was so excited. ‘Let’s go and celebrate’ he said,’ where would you like to go? I could drive you to school so you can tell all your friends?’ ‘No, I just want to go home’ I said, to his disappointment. But I had no option, when he pulled up outside my house I was desperately clutching my suspender belt through my clothes, trying to get into the house before my stockings were completely round my ankles!

I passed my driving test when I was 27 years old. It just wasn’t something that was important to me at the time but now I am glad that I did. When I passed I was married with a 5 year old and a 3 year old and I got a job. The freedom that it brought was fantastic and I no longer relied on my husband. Then I got my own car and life was great.

Took and passed my test at 35. So glad I did I was a nervous driver and never thought I would. Have just decided to donate my little manual car to middle granddaughter who is learning to drive and treat myself to an automatic. We have a quite big automatic already so am used to driving one and find it so easy.

60 years this June since I took my driving test, I had the afternoon off school. I was 17, and so confident I applied for my test as soon as I got my provisional Licence. I thought I had failed my test when a boy on a bike belted out of a side road in front of me. I slammed on the brakes and the Examiner hit the windscreen (no seat belts then). He sighed and said in a resigned voice “After that, I think we can dispense with the emergency stop”. My father was so convinced I would fail that he said he would pay for all my petrol for a year if I passed. I didn’t have any official driving lessons, just someone who had a licence sitting with me. I thank my lucky stars I didn’t have to do a theory examination, not to mention parallel parking, if I remember correctly there was only one motorway in those days. I can’t say I have ever really enjoyed driving, but living in a country town it was just a means of getting from a to b. I have driven through most of Europe, but didn’t enjoy it because I was missing so much by having to concentrate on the road, again it was just a means to get from a to b. My parents and grandparents on both sides drove all their lives without passing a test because there were no tests when they started to drive and all were excellent drivers.

I was 19 and passed the test on October 18th 1960. I can remember that because it was my aunt's birthday. It was also my third attempt which I'm not proud of but I was arrogant enough to book tests when I was nothing like ready. My Dad took me in hand in the summer holidays and after that I was more than ready. I've driven over many 'interesting' roads in East Africa and covered a good bit of this island too. When we had a family caravan I did my share of towing. I've given up on long distances as I once very nearly dropped off on the M6. Now staggering towards 80, I am not prepared to give up driving. I hope my car will hold out too. ?

I passed my test first time in 1976 (age 21). I wasn’t interested in learning but my father insisted and every week the money for lessons appeared on the dining table so I couldn’t refuse. My instructor lived across the road and was a very nervous man (no dual control) and that didn’t help as he made me nervous too. On occasions, part of my lesson was to drive the previous person home (a boy about 18). Apparently (according to my instructor) he was a “natural” and apparently I wasn’t. I remember my instructor’s car had a little sticker on the back window. When I did a 3 point turn I had to line the car up with the sticker - that was the only way I could do it! I passed first time and the boy I drove home didn’t (we took our test on the same day). My instructor was gobsmacked!

I think learning to drive was a lot easier back then (no written test/motorway driving). Back then learner drivers weren’t allowed on the motorway (I think - correct me if I’m wrong).

After I passed I didn’t drive again until I got married at 23 (my dad wouldn’t let me drive his car!). It was a Datsun (sp?) Sunny with a roof that opened up. I loved that car and had to give it back when I got divorced 4 years later (I took a cash settlement instead). I then couldn’t afford a car until I was in my early 30s. It was an old Fiesta (which I loved because it was bought by ME and not my ex-husband).

I’ve since had various cars over the years (all small cars) and when I retired nearly 3 years ago I bought another Fiesta (pre-registered but not brand new) to last me a few years.

Now at 64, I seem to have lost a bit of confidence. I don’t know why, as the only time I had an accident was when I skidded on black ice and hit a garden wall in my early 20s and another time (about 7 years ago) when I bumped another car at a junction. That’s another story though. I was convinced that the car had set off and they suddenly stopped dead. Suddenly, other people known to the drive appeared out of nowhere, taking photographs and talking in a language I didn’t understand. Unsurprisingly, I received a ‘phone later that evening asking if I wanted to settle out of court. Of course I refused, saying I would go through my insurance and unsurprisingly again, I later received a solicitor’s letter saying they were taking me to court. They were claiming all sorts of things - whiplash/trauma and had a private medical certificate. My partner (who was a head of Dept. in Motor Vehicle Electronics and Body Repair at our local college) went round to the house and saw the car outside. He couldn’t see a mark on the car (my car was undamaged too) so it was obviously a scam to make money.

Sorry - this is slightly off-track - just pointing out that these scams happen. Remember a TV documentary which featured the same car colliding with other cars at a roundabout (I think it was Panorama). It was spotted on several occasions by office workers from their office window.

PS - it didn’t go to court in the end as my insurance company paid up (I had legal protection). A shame really, as I would have loved my day in court to prove what a set of scumbags they were. They were awarded around 12k in compensation for trauma!!! (Sorry that was long!)

PS - forgot to add that when my partner had a look at the car he couldn’t see any sign of damage but when the solicitor from the insurance company emailed me photos of the damage -suddenly there WAS considerable damage (there wasn’t a scratch on my car). My partner (who has 50 years in the motor trade and has taught it for nearly 40) said there was absolutely no way my car could have caused that amount of damage when just setting off at a junction (and no damage to my car). The damage was done AFTER the incident (I refuse to call it an accident). They were obviously after the compensation money. The insurance company said it wasn’t worth going to court and just paid up (said it happens a lot). No wonder insurance is so high!

I was 23 when I took my test, failed the first time then passed on the second attempt. My ex was a car enthusiast and let me take his old Daimler out for my first solo trip. I was too scared to turn right so took a tortuous route home with mainly left turns.
I don't mind driving but I am hopeless at navigating.

I passed mine first time at 18 and bought an old mini.

I always wanted a mini and bought one a few years ago I treasure owning it always reminds me of being young.

I have enjoyed reading this thread. I have noticed alot of us were heavily pregnant when we passed. Do you think we were calmer?

I was 23 and just married. We were living in St Helens, knew no-one and I wanted something to do after work. I passed second time (all the best people do ?) and we bought a little moggie minor from a work colleague of my husband. Only then did he learn to drive. He was determined never to admit there was anything he couldn't already do, so he wouldn't lose face by taking lessons from a driving school instructor!

It was great having the car because, until then, we'd had to rely on lifts to get to and from work in Liverpool. If I couldn't drive, I'd have to move house. I live ten miles from the nearest sizeable town.

After cycling everywhere for 37 years I finally took driving lessons in 1974 and immediately loved it. I was massively upset when I failed my first test, but passed easily on my second and have been in love with driving ever since.
In another life I would like to be a rally driver.

I have been driving for 50 years this year. Without doubt it is the best thing I ever did, giving me a freedom I would never have otherwise had. There is nothing I love more than driving by myself along country roads. My daughters all think I am a better driver than their dad although he insists on driving whenever we go out unless he has had a drink.

Blinko - mine's a similar story re pregnancy. The tester told me he once had a woman on test who went into labour during the test - never again!
He did let me pass though.
I'm 84 now and had to stop driving last year after a near miss accident. Husband still drives.