Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Woman, 62, passes driving test after 27 years and 450 lessons A woman has finally passed her driving test 27 years and 450 lessons after she first took to the road. Teresa Clarke, a 62-year-old grandmother and mother-of-two, had her first lesson in 1981 shortly before American president Ronald Reagan was shot and Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer. Since then she has been through 20 driving instructors, spent £15,000 in fees and had 450 hours of tuition. Despite all the work she failed 12 tests, cancelled a further 35 and had 50 mock exams. But it was 13th time lucky when thanks to the help of her stepson, who runs a driving school, she finally was allowed to ditch her L-plates last month. "It took a long time for it to sink in when I was told I had passed," said Mrs Clarke, of Wroxham, Norfolk. "I was so happy I kissed the woman instructor." Mrs Clarke, a former shop assistant who is 5ft tall and has to sit on a cushion to reach the steering wheel, admits that she was a hopeless learner because she found it very difficult to concentrate for long periods of time. She was such a disaster that many instructors refused to carry on teaching her after a few lessons - either too scared or too frustrated to continue. Her last unsuccessful driving instructor was so fed up he told her to give up because she would never pass her test. But then Richard Minkler, her stepson from her first marriage, stepped in and offered her his best instructor. It proved an inspired move and finally after some firm words Mrs Clarke, who has two grandchildren, finally passed her test - albeit in an automatic car. She was given 56 hours instruction in a two week intensive course and told to give up coffee and tea to aid her concentration. She said: "I was little upset after I failed my first couple of tests - but I never really got disheartened. "I was very persistent and I always knew I would pass one day. Now my dream has come true and I am just delighted. "I used to fail my tests on all sorts of different things although my main problem was my lack of concentration. "I used to have at least three cups of strong Italian coffee every day and when I stopped it really improved my driving by helping me to concentrate." "My previous one three years ago ended up refusing to teach me anymore after I failed my test with him. "He just said, 'I am awfully sorry, but you are no good. You will never pass'. His comments upset me and I am delighted to have proved him wrong." Mrs Clarke's husband Richard, 61, a training centre administrator said he was "relieved" that she had finally passed. He added: "There's been so many times that Teresa has been close to passing. There has been a certain tension involved in this." Her instructor Patrick Beasley. said he had to be "very firm" with his extraordinary student because of her "poor concentration". But he said he was delighted when she passed. "She went absolutely bananas," he said. "I had to calm her down and the examiner was quite worried about her." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magma 0 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 thats got me wondering how long it will take for me 2 pass my test. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Posted July 10, 2008 Author Share Posted July 10, 2008 You can't be far off 450 lessons now can you Magma? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magma 0 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 You can't be far off 450 lessons now can you Magma? na, still got ages till i reach 450 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 11098 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 There should be a limit, once you've failed a certain number of times they should just shut that door for you. I don't think she'll be a good driver at all, so why have her on the roads? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 31631 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 There should be a limit, once you've failed a certain number of times they should just shut that door for you. I don't think she'll be a good driver at all, so why have her on the roads? Agreed, or at least a limit on how many times you can taken the test within a given period. Anyone can pass a driving test if they try that many times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Besty 4 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 But seriously Magma, how many you had? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magma 0 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 none yet, but i've booked my test for the 18th August! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusoda Kid 1 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 There should be a limit, once you've failed a certain number of times they should just shut that door for you. I don't think she'll be a good driver at all, so why have her on the roads? You're a shit fuck apparently but you still keep trying, should just lop your balls off tbh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 11098 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 There should be a limit, once you've failed a certain number of times they should just shut that door for you. I don't think she'll be a good driver at all, so why have her on the roads? You're a shit fuck apparently but you still keep trying, should just lop your balls off tbh listen spunk bubble, your lass is just spreading those unfounded rumours because she's sore that I wouldn't go back for round two. I just couldn't face breaking up such a happy wee home. The seven of you should stick together and make her feel better about her alabaster skin and narcolepsy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusoda Kid 1 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 (edited) Whatever, two pumps Edited July 10, 2008 by Wacky Jnr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 15873 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 I'd say "best stay off the roads to avoid her", but the pavement is probably where she'll be doing most of her driving... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 11098 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Whatever, two pumps You needed to edit that? Jesus Wacky, that's piss poor, even for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 15873 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Whatever, two pumps You needed to edit that? Jesus Wacky, that's piss poor, even for you. He originally said three but then his lass corrected him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jusoda Kid 1 Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Whatever, two pumps You needed to edit that? Jesus Wacky, that's piss poor, even for you. Had to put the comma in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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