British School of Motoring

Barry Edge’s latest memoir is a poignant memory of when he took his driving test…

Barry Edge writes…

When writing to Carol Parton in February 2020, it did not cross my mind that fourteen months later I would be writing the last chapter of the narrative. Because my eyes no longer see what they used to see, and given there is little medically that can be done to restore my central vision, it was time to surrender my driver’s licence. So today the 14th April, 2021 I presented at the local office of the Department of Transport and exchanged my driver’s licence for an I.D Card – 61 years. 1 month and 4 days to the day I passed my driving test on March 10, 1960.

So, If you have a few minutes to read my letter, here’s what I wrote;

Hi Carol,

In one of my previous emails I incorrectly stated that I’d past my driving examination on my 18th birthday in 1960. In truth, it was Thursday 10th March, 1960 – now corrected consequence of flicking through some old scrap book clippings.

My driving examination was after Vale Park recorded its highest ever attendance of 49,768 v Aston Villa – F.A. Cup fifth Round on Saturday 20th February, and after the Newport County game we went to on Saturday 5th March.

Also, according to my faded scribbled notes, I held my British driver’s licence a mere 35 days – 10th March to 13th April, 1960 – before exchanging it for a W.A. Driver’s Licence. All of which means I did not pass a driver’s examination on my 18th birthday.

Here then is my best memory of it all…

Saturday 16th January, 1960 – British School of Motoring:

(No sooner it was announced we were emigrating to Australia dad suggested I get myself a driver’s licence through the British School of Motoring in Hanley),

In my mind’s eye I’m standing outside the British School of Motoring’s (BSM) driving centre at the top end of Brunswick Street, Hanley. Across the street, and further down, I can see the Theatre Royal. It was rebuilt in 1951 and stands in sharp relief against its much older architectural surroundings.

Inside were two men sitting and talking. I was greeted by the older of the two. After explaining we were going to Australia, and that I wanted to obtain a driver’s license before we leave, I was invited to sit dawn to complete some paperwork and… “Do you have your birth certificate with you?” With the paperwork done and dusted, and the fees explained, I was asked to attend my first lesson on Thursday 21st January after I had finished work. I was very, very excited – to say the least.
Unfortunately I was late for my first driving lesson due to it being mid-afternoon before getting back to the ‘Dairy. Thankfully the older of the two instructors waited back for me. After agreeing that all future lessons would be given on my rostered days off I was invited to sit in the driver’s seat of an Austin Farina – duel controlled of course.

Image: “1964 Austin A40 Farina” by charles cars is licensed under CC BY 2.0

My fist 1 hour lesson was in and around the streets of Hanley and Shelton. All other lessons were given by the younger of the two instructors in a Morris 1000 – also duel controlled.

Image: “1962 Morris 1000” by GPS 56 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

It was early March when told I was ready for my ‘official driver’s examination – which would include a ‘skid pad test’ (nothing to be worried about they said). Not that I was unduly worried because it had been part of my lessons and conducted on the car park that was once the site of The Old Recreation Ground. Well, there was one time I felt a tad uneasy when watching a learner driver in a PMT double-decker bus going through the ‘skid pad test’. Thank goodness I was driving a Morris 1000.

Thursday 10th March, 1960 – Driving Examination:

I was allowed to drive down to the Examination Centre in Stoke where I was introduced to my ‘Examiner – clipboard to hand. Following his instructions I drove up to Shelton and complied with a number of commands: reversing into a laneway; three point turn; and so on. Then it was back down to Stoke where I was instructed to park opposite the Examination Centre. In what seemed an age I sat and waited whilst my ‘Examiner wrote on his check sheet. He then asked me to read back the number plate of the only other car in the street parked opposite about 50 yards away, but because it was parked on a bend I was struggling to read the number plate. After a nervous pause I read out what I thought it was (In truth, I was simply guessing and hoping for the best). More scribbling on his check sheet before saying ‘We’re done’. I couldn’t get out of the car quick enough. ‘Wait a minute’ he said ‘You will need this report to collect your driver’s licence’.

Oh my! Was I excited; not only did I guess correctly the plate number, I was not required to do a ‘skid pad test’. In fact, I was so exited my driving instructor drove me back up ‘anley duck.

Homeward bound on Cloud Nine:

In my mind’s eye I’m walking across the waste ground between Aylesbury Road and Winchester Avenue; my mum is in our driveway talking to a neighbour; she knows, and without saying anything we exchange nods and smiles.

Barry

Barry Edge
Western Australia
April 14, 2021