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Time to take the test? (Read 450 times)
May 13th, 2007 at 3:16pm

ozzy72   Offline
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It is thought a 105-year-old Scottish OAP could be the UK's oldest driver.
Widow Sheila Thomson makes the 15-mile round trip in her Peugeot 106 from her home in Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, to church in Invergowrie every Sunday.
She has been driving for over 70 years, but has never sat a test because she first got behind the wheel before they were introduced.
The record of oldest driver was previously thought to belong to 101-year-old Charlie Howarth.
Mrs Thomson has lived alone since the death of her husband 20 years ago and is looked after by three neighbours. She celebrated her 105th birthday on 19 April with them and a cousin from Edinburgh.
She was born in 1902, the same year that Edward VII came to the throne after the death of his mother Queen Victoria. The year also saw the second Boer War end.
Mrs Thomson said: "I don't take the car into heavy traffic but I still take it on the trip to church.
"I don't get nervous, I just take it as I find it. I take the quieter streets. You just have to watch what you are doing."
As well as making the weekly journey from her home to Invergowrie Parish Church, which she has attended for more than 60 years, she also drives to the local shops.
Driving tests did not exist when she first got behind the wheel back in the early 1930s. "It was too long ago for all that," she said.
It had been believed that Mr Howarth, from West Yorkshire, was Britain's oldest driver. His first car was a Ford Model T, and he got his first ticket for speeding at the age of 99 when caught by a speed camera in his Rover automatic.
 

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Reply #1 - May 14th, 2007 at 12:22am

bok269   Offline
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Good for them.
 

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Reply #2 - May 14th, 2007 at 2:08pm

eno   Offline
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The reason she came to light as Britons oldest driver is because she had an accident which resulted in her loosing a 70 year no claims bonus  Shocked Shocked
 

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Reply #3 - May 14th, 2007 at 4:36pm
Sir Crashalot   Ex Member

 
Indeed time to take a test. I hate to think about the person who gets involved in an accident with this old lady. As far as I know insurance companies don't pay a penny when you don't have a driving license. And although it is remarkable that she is still driving around at 105, she should have taken an exam the moment it got mandatory.

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Reply #4 - May 14th, 2007 at 4:48pm

Hagar   Offline
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Quote:
Indeed time to take a test. I hate to think about the person who gets involved in an accident with this old lady. As far as I know insurance companies don't pay a penny when you don't have a driving license. And although it is remarkable that she is still driving around at 105, she should have taken an exam the moment it got mandatory.

Crash Wink

While I agree it's about time for her to give up driving, not having taken a test doesn't mean that she has no licence. I know plenty of people, including my late father-in-law, who never took a driving test. When he started driving you simply paid your money & got your licence. I thought that in the UK once you reach the age of 70 you have to renew your driving licence every 5 years but I don't know if this involves a test. Fozzer will be able to enlighten us on that one.
 

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