and thousands now waiting months for their test

Nothing new about that. In 1974 when I learned I booked my test on my 17th birthday (June) and I got a date 5 months in advance (November).

Most people I knew were aware of this and booked in plenty of time. I was lucky, passed first time, those who failed had to wait 5 months for a re test but in the meantime all they could do was hope they could get a cancellation.

Apparently the fine for driving without insurance is unlimited. Let us hope it is at least 70 x the average premium for an ordinary car with full no claims bonus, payable to the fund which reimburses those damaged by uninsured drivers.

I have an Irish friend, resident in U.K, who drives' in the U.K. without ever passing a test. In 1979 25000 licences were controversially issued without a test to clear a backlog. He got one of those. As it happens he is a good driver and has had no claims.

I have an Irish friend, resident in U.K, who drives' in the U.K. without ever passing a test. In 1979 25000 licences were controversially issued without a test to clear a backlog. He got one of those. As it happens he is a good driver and has had no claims.

Funny that, couple of weeks ago that was Jeremy Vine's solution to the current backlog, just give them a 'free pass'!

Not a bad idea that with everything else being dubbed down to the lowest common denominator, Could they really end up being a worse drivers than some that you see? It seems the old guy was a good driver test or no test

Well in 1974 the country was in hell of a mess due to an energy crisis and 3day working Covid situation is a bit different and there have been thankfully much better times in between.

The fuel crisis with queue's at filling station ended in 1973, I remember it well. The 3 day week was from late 1973 to February 1974 as a result of the Miners strike and overtime ban. Then there were the power cuts as well, happy days. All were well before I took my test. I do remember having a hair cut by candle light at the barbers in early 1974, not an experience to be repeated, looked like Stevie Wonder had done it

When I bought my first car in November 1974 it came with a book of petrol coupons issued during the fuel crisis, they were never needed.

When I bought that car petrol was about 40p a gallon, a month later it had risen to about 60p a gallon. Imagine petrol increasing from todays £1.44 a litre to £2.16 a litre by late February, it was a shock at the time.

During my National Service training in 1959 we were asked "Who's ever driven before? Clever Dick answered "ME". I was thinking I'd get one of those new 'Austin Champs'. What I did get was an old (ex Kerenia quarry Cyprus) Commer. Huge brute, no syncro, no brakes, etc etc. My examiner was an ex Met driving instructor. After an hour of a hairaising driving through Aldershot and district we finally ended up in an big uncompleted industrial estate. Miles of roads and no buildings. Eventually we (I) ended up in a dead end. "Three point turn" the examiner said. I did it in seven! On returning he said "OK lad you did well, I'll give you it". So.....my claim to fame is that I did the 3 PT in 7 and have never passed a test on a car. As i'm 82 I'd give me a wide berth if you see me.

My dear departed Dad who died in 2009 aged 86, passed his test in a similar way while serving in the REME during WW2.

The instruction and test method seemed to serve him well as I don’t ever think he had an accident.

Learned to drive by himself, no instruction, on a tracked Bren carrier,

I could do with one of those here, given the local driving behaviour.

(I drive on an IDP, which is of doubtful legality. The local Taiwan test bears no relation to real world driving, involving low speed dressage-type manouvres on a closed course, but it is actually quite difficult to pass. I believe its only justification is as the basis for the driving schools bizniz model)