Scooter twits

Steve Walker

I had about 40 hours, 2 hours a week, 20 weeks, after school, occasional week off. Went through 3 instructors though, only one tried to commit dissolution, which is good (and it wasn't in the lesson, it was that evening)

Plus time with parents obviosuly.

45 hours? Wow. Well I'm not in a position to dispute that, but it surprises me.

I started driving lessons round about June 1957, and the instructor advised me to apply for the test after we had done only about 6 or 8 lessons of one hour each. I was a bit startled to find him talking about the test so early, but of course there were a few more lessons in the bag by the time test day arrived. Even so, I don't think I had more than 12 or 14 lessons in total, but at least we got the right result on 19 September 1957 - though I like to think I've improved a bit since then!. Well I should hope so - there has been a little time - if almost 49 years counts!

In those days maybe the test was easier (I don't actually know, but I'll give you that one FOC before somebody claims it) and certainly there was no written test and no hazard awareness test etc. There was also no mention of how many minor faults etc. there were, it was then simply a matter of pbutt or fail.

Again I don't know the answer, but I do suspect drivers were being better prepared for their future driving careers in that era, despite the 'improvements' in the present day test regime. In any case I think there is further work that could usefully be done in that area.

Best wishes all, Dave.