Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms What car did you pass your driving test in??

50 years ago I passed my driving test - first time!

To my eternal embarrassment - in a Daf 33 Variomatic Daffodil!!

There is a tale to tell - and mitigating circumstances!

At the time I was in the Merchant Navy as a Navigating Cadet.

Home on leave for 6 weeks I called the Driving School on the Uppingham Road in Leicester.

They were most helpful - told me to apply for my test straight away which I did.

Turned up the School to be presented with the idea that I take my test in the Daf Vario as it was the only way to get through during the now 5 weeks remaining. Well I was truly embarrassed and still am now to this day!!

They also had a simulator - very advanced for its day and I spent quite some time on this kit too.

In those days - 1966 - you could take your test in an auto and get a full licence.

The evening before the test my twin brother - who had passed his test already, took me out in our shared Morris Minor Drophead for some last minute practice.

What a disaster - I was hopeless. Anyway off I went the next day with his disparaging words of doom ringing in my ears.

I passed!! God only knows how! I was very respectful of authority as a Cadet and called all males SIR - maybe that swung it!!

The Daf was just awful - and of course I wanted to able to tell my buddies that I was driving a Mini.

I could hardly drive the Morris - and my Mum had to come out with me around our village - Houghton on the Hill to help me learn how to change gear!!!! Happy days!!

So....what did you learn to drive in??? Hopefully not a Daf Daffodil!!

Series 2 LWB landrover.

Not an obvious choice maybe, but I'd been driving it around my Mum's smallholding from about the age of 12. The examiner seemed a bit surprised by it.

I had 5 lessons with a brillant driving instructor who was a retired RSM in the Welsh Guards. I took my test and passed first time (in 1979).

In 1973, in a Vauxhall Viva, in Hayes Middlesex, took a chance at an awkward junction. Turning right on a hill with a string of vehicles. Went for a gap and thought I had blown it. Fortunately passed. I too was very polite and told him I was a poor civil servant who needed transport to get to work.

After I passed, I paid for some more lessons for the instructor on driving rather than just for passing the test.
I followed up a couple of years later on the council run skid pan at Greenford.
Best hour of instruction I had.

BMW 318i E21 auto-geared in 1977. I had my lessons on a 316 E21 with a manual gearbox, but the examination was done in the 318 with the autobox.

Ford escort Popular Mk2, in light blue 1100CC, I even wore a suit as my instructor told me I would have a better chance!
I passed my bike test years before that and burnt my L plates in the car park then did a big wheelie, will never forget the look on the clipboard dudes face when I did that

Driving schools Triumph Herald in 1968 first time, they were chosen by schools as the steering lock was great for 3 point turns - most "L" driving experience was in the companies Ford Anglia 105E van.

Morris Marina, just after they were launched! I had taken and failed my first test in a Ford 100E, I blame my dad who taught me as he never told me your not supposed to just jump on the brake locking all the wheels at the emergency stop ;-).

For my retest (I was still an apprentice) one of the chaps at the garage had just taken delivery of a brand new Marina, it was just after the launch in 1971 he was a salt of the earth type and came with me to the test and generously allowed me to use his car. The examiner was so impressed he was smiling even before he got into the car, when the test was over he mentioned to the owner that he thought it a wonderful car.......to put into context the test station car park was full of old Fords and a couple of HA Vivas (and I know some of you would still prefer the HA's) ;-)

I love that bike test story!!

I passed my bike test in 1964 on my Lambretta Li 150 Mk2.

It was total hoot!

In those days the examiner "followed" you on foot around a set course.

My mates and I all exchanged info on where the Examiner would be at various points on the route - and we used to go and practice around it.

We all passed first shot!!

In 1964 I do not think there was any Capacity limit on what you could ride - my buddy passed his on his brothers 500cc BSA!!

- passed in my first car, a 1956 , split screen Moggy Minor.

I bought it for £15 ,'coach' painted it and re trimmed the interior and sold it later for £35

I negotiated a reduced rate with the driving instructor if he came out with me in my car.He was a brave man as the (obvious) lack of dual controls he was used to led to a few hair-raising moments for him.....

James

Failed on a Ford Taurus from the 1st year of their production. The hood dropped off after a foot and you could never really tell how far in front of you the bumper was. Bumped a car parallel parking.

Passed on a 1980 Mercedes 200. That's actually the car I learned on. Passenger seat had a squeek, so when I botched a shift I would hear it squeek as my dad silently judged me.

Motorcycle license was on a Harley Street 500. It was a loaner as a part of a training class that got me a license at the end. I had fallen off and hit my head earlier in the day, and knew that I had a mild concussion. Decided to take the test anyway because if I finished the class but failed the test I could retake the test in a week. Passed the test with only one ding for putting my foot down in a slow sharp turn. Aced the written, despite having to read the questions 2 or 3 times each. I was the last one out of the room except for a guy translating the test to another guy in spanish.