So when did YOU pass your driving test?
October 95, youngster alert 
, in a 1.4 Astra, my driving instructors car that spent more time in the garage with mechanical / electrical gremlins than it did on the road.
XRS, what was decimalisation all about? Things have always been counted in tens
, in a 1.4 Astra, my driving instructors car that spent more time in the garage with mechanical / electrical gremlins than it did on the road.XRS, what was decimalisation all about? Things have always been counted in tens
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Scooby Senior
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Suntrap of the South
I am burdened with a brain that remembers a variety of odd things. Today, I am celebrating 30 years since I passed my driving test. Yes, on 23rd February 1971 I took and passed the test first time. Being competitive by nature my only regret was that I wasn’t the first in my year at school to pass. I was in fact second to the chap who eventually sold me the STi (we have kept in touch in the intervening years, owning similar cars from Golf GTIs to 3-door Cosworths at the same time – he then started buying Porsches and Ferraris – enough said!).
For those amongst you of tender years (the majority I guess) February 1971 was when decimalisation happened.
Oh, and I passed my test in a Simca 1100 special – you don’t see many of those around these days (thank goodness)!
For those amongst you of tender years (the majority I guess) February 1971 was when decimalisation happened.
Oh, and I passed my test in a Simca 1100 special – you don’t see many of those around these days (thank goodness)!
Scooby Regular
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Hey, Simca 1100 - I learnt in one of them and failed my first driving test in late 1974 - then my Dad took pity on me and let me learn on his Company Car - a Triumph 2000 - and I passed second time in early 1975.
2nd examiner couldn't believe that a spotty oik was taking his test in a Triumph 2000, which was pretty upmarket then - the trouble I had was on the hill start when you couldn't hear the enine note change as you let the clutch out ... but there was so much torque that you couldn't stall it anyway!
Happy days
- then my Dad took pity on me and let me learn on his Company Car - a Triumph 2000 - and I passed second time in early 1975. 2nd examiner couldn't believe that a spotty oik was taking his test in a Triumph 2000, which was pretty upmarket then - the trouble I had was on the hill start when you couldn't hear the enine note change as you let the clutch out ... but there was so much torque that you couldn't stall it anyway!
Happy days
Scooby Regular
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Err, June 1983 from memory but it was in a mud brown Rover 214 somethingorother
I was a bit of a late starter as I was 18 at the time but had been introduced to cricket, beer and curries etc and decided that these didn't mix very well. Then gave up cricket and took up women, beers and curries and found cars mixed better in this environment
Yex
I was a bit of a late starter as I was 18 at the time but had been introduced to cricket, beer and curries etc and decided that these didn't mix very well. Then gave up cricket and took up women, beers and curries and found cars mixed better in this environment
Yex
Scooby Regular
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Any bikers here remember how laughably easy the old test was, when the "tester" would tell you to ride round a block and watch you from a couple of vantage points? Wouldn't like to do all the malarkey they have to now.
Didn't pass car test until 27th birthday, too busy p*ssing round on bikes ...
Didn't pass car test until 27th birthday, too busy p*ssing round on bikes ...
Scooby Regular
Joined: Oct 2000
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June 1991 when i was 17, i passed first time in a metro of all things (never driven one since). I wasn't nervous on the test until it started thundering and raining like hell, i had trouble figuring out the demisters and thought i'd blown it....but i guess the examiner was just glad to be returned to the test centre alive.
Scooby Senior
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Suntrap of the South
MartinM,
It was a Simca 1100 SPECIAL. None of that ordinary cooking 1100 for my instructor. Lessons were 18/- each and (for Robertio) I booked the test the previous December when it only cost 30 bob (it went up to £2.25 thereafter, and my brother gave me the new fee for Christmas - a result!).
My dad also had a Triumph 2000 - it had overdrive on 3rd and 4th, just like Andy Rouse in his Dolomite Sprint!
Ahh, memories!
It was a Simca 1100 SPECIAL. None of that ordinary cooking 1100 for my instructor. Lessons were 18/- each and (for Robertio) I booked the test the previous December when it only cost 30 bob (it went up to £2.25 thereafter, and my brother gave me the new fee for Christmas - a result!).
My dad also had a Triumph 2000 - it had overdrive on 3rd and 4th, just like Andy Rouse in his Dolomite Sprint!
Ahh, memories!
Guest
Posts: n/a
1977 when I was 16 on a moped ('cos the old man bought it for me and takinbg th etest was a condition! He didn't really like bikes - still doesn't. So now I've got a Blade.... :-))) ). 78 on a real bike (Suzuki GT250). 81 for the bike IAM test. Then 1983 for my car test... oh, and 2000 for the IAM car test...another late starter in cars!
Yep - the old bike test was a hoot. I nearly knocked down some old dear when I was out of sight of the examiner.
I reckon everyone should have 12 months on a bike before they're even allowed in a car...!
Dave
Scooby Regular
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<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by brickboy:
<B>Any bikers here remember how laughably easy the old test was, when the "tester" would tell you to ride round a block and watch you from a couple of vantage points? Wouldn't like to do all the malarkey they have to now.
Didn't pass car test until 27th birthday, too busy p*ssing round on bikes ...[/quote]
Hee hee
I was advised to take my bike test at Sheldon (nr Birmingham Airport). There wasn't a set of traffic lights, major road, traffic island etc etc within a mile of the test centre.
And with the examiner being on foot it made the test a tad easy!!! Passed first time of course!!
LOL
Paul
<B>Any bikers here remember how laughably easy the old test was, when the "tester" would tell you to ride round a block and watch you from a couple of vantage points? Wouldn't like to do all the malarkey they have to now.
Didn't pass car test until 27th birthday, too busy p*ssing round on bikes ...[/quote]
Hee hee
I was advised to take my bike test at Sheldon (nr Birmingham Airport). There wasn't a set of traffic lights, major road, traffic island etc etc within a mile of the test centre.
And with the examiner being on foot it made the test a tad easy!!! Passed first time of course!!
LOL
Paul
Scooby Regular
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6th December 1990, passed 1st time (great instructor, had something like a 90% pass rate)
He was killed 3 or so years later by a 'joyrider' who hit him head-on at 70mph in a 40mph zone in a stolen XR2. His pupil was left with minor brain damage, and the 'joyrider' escaped with cuts and bruises, but was apprehended running away from the accident. He got six months in a young offenders institution.
Wonder why I have no faith in British justice...
Leigh
(great instructor, had something like a 90% pass rate)He was killed 3 or so years later by a 'joyrider' who hit him head-on at 70mph in a 40mph zone in a stolen XR2. His pupil was left with minor brain damage, and the 'joyrider' escaped with cuts and bruises, but was apprehended running away from the accident. He got six months in a young offenders institution.
Wonder why I have no faith in British justice...
Leigh
16/09/1995, Just turned 18
Should have done it sooner, but refused to, until I had completely rebuilt the old, mangled Austin MiniMetro that my folks bought for me, in exchange for not getting a bike at 16. Damn, i was conned!
Took six lessons with absolute geezer from BSM, had me speeding well over 60 and offering me rollies on my first lesson, honest to god! previous driving experience from 14. Passed with clean sheet. Promptly crashed 3 times in 3 months afterwards!
Donut.
[This message has been edited by Mr Footlong (edited 23 February 2001).]
Should have done it sooner, but refused to, until I had completely rebuilt the old, mangled Austin MiniMetro that my folks bought for me, in exchange for not getting a bike at 16. Damn, i was conned!
Took six lessons with absolute geezer from BSM, had me speeding well over 60 and offering me rollies on my first lesson, honest to god! previous driving experience from 14. Passed with clean sheet. Promptly crashed 3 times in 3 months afterwards!
Donut.
[This message has been edited by Mr Footlong (edited 23 February 2001).]
Scooby Regular
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30th Aug 1986, 6 months after 17th birthday.
cant remember in what !! only that the examiner was well over 6ft and kept getting in the way of the handbrake !!
then had a nice little purple mini traveller bought for me by my father who ran a small garage at the time !
steve
cant remember in what !! only that the examiner was well over 6ft and kept getting in the way of the handbrake !!
then had a nice little purple mini traveller bought for me by my father who ran a small garage at the time !
steve
