Just thinking earlier, ive now been driving for ten years :help:
And i was wondering what other peoples driving lessons and instructors were like.
I had my test at Handsworth,my insructor was ok but a bit strict :suspect:

I learnt with a company at Frecheville and the owner was great, but his sidekick was very strict, he used to puff on a cigar and ogle the ladies walking down the street and once took the wheel of me as I incorrectly turned down a one way street in Handworth :o Frightened the living daylights out of me.

I had my test at Handsworth and was forewarned that if I got the one only lady examiner I would fail as she was an evil witch.....I failed. Got a lovely chap 2nd time round and passed.:hihi: :hihi:

It was 20 years ago though

My driving instructor had the patience of a saint - he certainly needed it as I had no confidence at all when I was first learning to drive. I once sat at a junction, there was a bus coming up the road which you would have needed a telescope to see, and I daren't pull out of the junction. He just sat there and said, 'Well, you could have pulled a fleet of buses out of this junction, while you have been waiting here'. He was a brilliant instructor, he built up my confidence and I passed my test first time!

I took lessons through BSM, they were located at the top of the Moor. One quid, per one hour lesson, took about twenty lessons, passed my test 1st. time, much to the surprise of my instructor I think.

I can remember him shouting at me “Look What Your Doing You Nearly Hit That Bus” :blush:
i must admit that i had only had a few lessons when that incident happened.
Then at a later date he took the wheel showing me how to maneuver a steep hill with a junction at the top.
But he stalled the car, and came out with an excuse about recently having the car serviced. :huh:
At the end of the day he was a great bloke, and after 25 lessons i passed 1st time. Not bad for a dog ehh.:hihi:
My celebration after the test (http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k265/SteveSheff/pipposcooterandmoto.jpg).:D

I had my first driving lesson on my 17th birthday..1978.!

the car was a morris marina...in like a red colour.!..and if i remember correctly,think it was about a £5:00 an hour then.!

jt

My instructor was the late, great Larry Logan (who also taught both my brothers).

Very much 'old school', his lessons were an absolute pleasure. He was foul mouthed and sometimes racist but he was also very funny.

Nearly every lesson would see me having to stop outside a beer-off so he could buy his large bottles of beer (2 and 3 litre plastic bottles, tasteless no doubt but very cheap also).

He had loads of sayings: "Hug this corner like you would your girlfriend." He'd then reply to his own comments as if it were I saying it "Oh, but I haven't got a f-in girlfriend!" He'd also say we'd better get to the Hallamshire Hospital A & E as I had just burnt his arm off driving too close to a parked car.

We'd do three point turns but whilst in mid-flow he'd tell me to put the handbrake on whilst he told me all about his daughter Lisa (whom I knew from school) and the things she had got up to last night "calling me a f-in pig, the cow." Traffic would build up either side but was he bothered?

His car would be full of smoke (he was a chain smoker) and lessons cost £8 (this was 1986/7). The sod never quite told me when I was ready for my test and so I had more lessons that I should have, but they were fun.

I took my test in May 1987 and passed first time. I felt liberated (as one does when passing a driving test) but also quite sad because that ended our association. I saw him a few times in the Rising Sun, Nethergreen but was saddened to hear that he passed away a couple or three years back.

I passed my test at hillsborough in 74,my instructor was a woman and the company was called "Black cat" she was really laid back and never raised her voice!just calm and collected,the car was a mini clubman in white with the cat motif!!cant remember how much a lesson as I had a set course then my test,passed 2nd time,had passed my bike test the same year 1st time at the same test centre on a bantam it was an absolute doddle!!wouldnt like to do it it now!!!!

i remember my instructer gordon hunston very strict many a times he would make me cry:hihi: but he was really good at his job i passed first time glad i did wouldnt like to tell him i failed:hihi: was well worth £12 even i did get abuse from him

I had Keith Wainwright, Stans brother, he was a great bloke, ended up running a pub up Walkley, don't actually think it had 'owt to with my driving but you never know!:loopy: Great bloke and Muriel his wife.

i still learning at the mo, but my first instructor was a lady, when i scream coz i lost control of the car, she screamed louder than me !! when i panicked as i dont know what to do next,, she panicked as well,, lol


she used to drive the car from my place (to pick me up) then drive the car back again to where she gonna teach me, then drives me home again,, so i said to myself,, she's learning , not me?
oh yes , i dumped her,, after 3 weeks
i have a new one now,, he's old, and did some shouts too, but no, he not screaming at me! and i feel very confident now! heheheheh !

I passed my test almost 22 years ago and was taught from scratch by my OH ! Passed first time - but I wouldn't recommend it - nearly ended in divorce !

I had Mad Mel - AtoZ - he was brilliant. Came to pick me up for my lesson one day and was pipping the horn - even after I'd strapped myself in at the side of him. He was in the middle of a horn rendition of Lady in Red!

i had lessons in 1981 with keith fessey in handsworth my instructor was called Steve Sharp and i learnt in an escort mark2 1600 sport it was red with black markings i passed my test on't second go by then he'd changed the car to a mini metro he was a first class instructor . i think he went on his own later i seem to recall seeing a learner car with his name on...who knows?

Middlewood School of motoring in the 70s.
Great guy, even if I have forgotten hiis name, used to live at Worrell.
Knew I supported United so always took me past Hillsborough Saturday afternoons about 5o'clock to see the long blue and white faces.

I passed my test in '78 when I worked at BSM as a receptionist. I had lessons when the instructors had free time - although I still had them to pay for! In my opinion I had great tuition, made better because I knew my instructors personally through working with them. I learnt on all 12 cars that they had then - Triumph Dolomites and Minis. The varied experience served me well for borrowing my families' cars until I bought my own Morris 1100 - those were the days :hihi:

Learned to drive in 1960. Triumph herald, passed first time. Can't remember instuctors name but I think it was 10 bob an hour.

My instructor was a wonderful young woman called Christine Beaver. She worked for Maureen Birtle's at Page Hall. Most of my immediate family were taught by her and we all passed first time.
She said that she loved the sound that's produced when one car hits another (as long as no one is hurt). Near the end of each lesson she would say "well, you know your way home from here" and I felt like a dog that had been let of the lead.
Happy Days

My brother had his driving lessons in 1967 with Mr Kennedy who lived at Parkwood Springs, and amazingly my daughter is also having lessons with him. Still on the go. He has to be in his 70's now

When i was visiting Sheffield around 1978/9 Riding into town on the bus from High Green the bus was following a 'driving school' car. There was only one person in it so I would presume it was the instructor.
The car puled ever the kerb so it was half on the road and half on the pavement in front of the shops. All this with no signals.
When the bus was parallel with the car just as the driver got out, the bus driver opened the doors and said in a loud voice"AS A DRIVING INSTRUCTOR THARED MAKE A BLOODY GOOD COAL MINER"

My instructor was R.A (never found out his name) Smith. But weirdly, I remember the reggie number of the blue Nissan Cherry he taught me in. D622 OWB

I learned to drive in the mid-60's in a Ford Anglia at JSB School of Motoring which was at the bottom of Ecclesall Road opposite Ward's Brewery - well before the road widening etc. - just a small shop.
JSB was Stan Barraclough who was a retired police officer. Can't say he was a man one would be endeared to but I passed first time and am grateful for his tutelage.
I think a lesson was £1 5s 0d.

Passed my test in 1982 with a bloke called Ted Wood & drove his 950cc fiesta. Failed twice at Handsworth & passed at Manor Top after breaking speed limit to get there as I was driving around Handsworth & he forgot I was at the Manor centre for the test. lessons was £5 / hour to start & finished at £6/hour ......always got more than a hour each lesson.

My driving instructor was called Ellaway,i think he lived at Stannington,around £1.00. per lesson.Passed driving test first time,this was in 1970.

Passed my test in 1982 with a bloke called Ted Wood & drove his 950cc fiesta. Failed twice at Handsworth & passed at Manor Top after breaking speed limit to get there as I was driving around Handsworth & he forgot I was at the Manor centre for the test. lessons was £5 / hour to start & finished at £6/hour ......always got more than a hour each lesson.

They should have paid you to drive that piece of tosh! :D

The Ferraris were both booked up so had the fiesta.

The Ferraris were both booked up so had the fiesta.

A Ferrari on the Manor Top??? :D

Now that would be fun!

You aint jokin ..........:hihi:

me and my bro passed 1st time in the mid 80s
with a guy called shawn barton from stannington
he use to look like elton john :hihi:
think hes gone to live in portugal now
his car reg used to be THE41S:D

Passed my test in 1982 with a bloke called Ted Wood & drove his 950cc fiesta. Failed twice at Handsworth & passed at Manor Top after breaking speed limit to get there as I was driving around Handsworth & he forgot I was at the Manor centre for the test. lessons was £5 / hour to start & finished at £6/hour ......always got more than a hour each lesson.
that man was my dad! i had the ferraris then...................

and yes, he always gave more than an hour to EVERYONE, that's why we had to go to bloody butlin's for holidays while the other instructor's families went to Spain or somewhere exotic (for those days!)!

he really enjoyed it tho, and I passed first time so can't complain!

that man was my dad! i had the ferraris then...................

and yes, he always gave more than an hour to EVERYONE, that's why we had to go to bloody butlin's for holidays while the other instructor's families went to Spain or somewhere exotic (for those days!)!

he really enjoyed it tho, and I passed first time so can't complain!
er, sorry.

correction.

IS my dad. sorry, pops.

I had driving lessons with ERIC ABBEY he never advertised word of mouth was his way of getting customers.i remember the first lesson it was a mini to my horror it was not duel controlled,Erics reply was i,am not learning to drive so he did,nt need any controls.I was in my 30s when i learnt to drive,but thanks to the best instructor ever,. i passed 1st time.All the family son,s son,s girlfriends were taught by Eric.Ithink his son also went on to be a Driving instructor anyone else taught by Eric?

I learned with Dennis Crawshaw over in Stocksbridge about 20 years ago, no surprise then that my hill starts and clutch control are good. He changed to a diesel car part way through my lessons and informed me that you couldn't stall a diesel, I soon proved him wrong hehe. Seriously though he was a very good and patient instructor, a credit to his profession.

me and my bro passed 1st time in the mid 80s
with a guy called shawn barton from stannington
he use to look like elton john :hihi:
think hes gone to live in portugal now
his car reg used to be THE41S:D

I think his father was Bill Barton who used to run Roxy School of Motoring. He taught most of my family and friends, most passing first time. I believe he also taught Martin Woodward to be an Instructor, who set up his own school in '73, whose name I now work under.

I think his father was Bill Barton who used to run Roxy School of Motoring. He taught most of my family and friends, most passing first time. I believe he also taught Martin Woodward to be an Instructor, who set up his own school in '73, whose name I now work under.

yes you are 100% right it was roxy som :D

I learnt to drive in 1969 at Broomhill Driving School who had (so I was told) acquired the first 2 Datsuns ( now Nissan) to be imported into Britain they retailed at £888 on the road !!!
I can't remember the instructors name but his wife was a hairdresser. During one lesson he told me to"pull over to the left and stop" he then leaned back in his seat and , with a sigh, said " Christ I'm tired I've shampooed 3 this morning".
My test was at Sharrow Lane and as we moved off the examiner told me to take the next left , but I turned RIGHT ! We ended up driving up narrow alleys and lanes between London Road and Sharrow to get back onto his scheduled route ....BUT I passed first time.
That afternoon I went out and ordered my first new vehicle a new Hillman Imp van in dark blue , FWE 637J. I got it from Highfield Motors on London Road and it cost me £545 on the road.

I had driving lessons with ERIC ABBEY he never advertised word of mouth was his way of getting customers.i remember the first lesson it was a mini to my horror it was not duel controlled,Erics reply was i,am not learning to drive so he did,nt need any controls.I was in my 30s when i learnt to drive,but thanks to the best instructor ever,. i passed 1st time.All the family son,s son,s girlfriends were taught by Eric.Ithink his son also went on to be a Driving instructor anyone else taught by Eric?

I was and so was my Mum, unfortunatley i didnt pass my first test (horrible spotty old bloke at middlewood test centre) i was 17 at the time, i was gutted :(, so i gave up !! couldnt afford a car anyhow , start again when i was 22 eric had retired, so i then had Harry brooks, he was lovely really help boost my confidence, however when i passed my test second time round the the very nice man that passed me asked if i had been taught by Eric Abbey, apparently he could tell this by my driving ??? :huh:

I was taught by Mel Travers, when he was based at Crookes. Think it was called Safeway driving school, back in 1986.

He still teaches today but works for someone I dont wish to speak about Lol

Caz

Myself, my wife, and my sister were all taught to drive in the 60s by a chap called Peter (I think surname Elliot) who originally worked at Bert Fell's Driving School, which was based at the Highfield end of Abbeydale Road.

Anyone on the forum beat this iv'e had a license to drive for 67 yrs the only blob on my record was a fine for speeding in 1965 ,a fine of ten bob on my motorbike in 1947 for creeping though an halt sign, otherwise a clean license,37 vehicles in those years and never had a test, Cheers Arthur.

I was taught by Ben of Ben's School, of Motoring, he was based at Greenhill or somewhere near, a one man band at the time and I learned to drive in an Austine A40 Farina (sought of estate car). 17s6d per lesson (88p in today's money). How much is it today?

I was taught by ELLA HAMILTON of Nether Edge. She was brilliant. Passed first time in 1976 and never looked back. Always think of her when I am driving too!

I didn't look back either and the bloody examiner failed me.

I was taught by Ken Whatham who lived on Ellesmere Rd in Pitsmoor he was a great instructor and a good laugh as well. Learnt in a datsun 160j I think it was.

1980/1, my driving instructor was Arthur Birch from Chapeltown. The guy was crazy he would scream and shout and on the way to my test he drove and told me there was no way I would pass, I was the worst student he had.

I went ahead and passed, and he just sat in the car shaking his head. Three weeks later I put my first car through a stone wall on Hagg Hill, maybe the old man knew what he was talking about.

StJohn
Cincinnati kid

I was taught to drive by Rodney Garside and his father in 1956/7. Depending on their workload, it would be either one or the other. Rodney, a larger than life character, was also a continental tour driver for SUT and he sported a magnificent ginger beard. I think a lesson was 17/6 for an hour and pick-up was somewhere in town, perhaps the bombed site at Moorhead, by the British Restaurant. The car was a black Morris Minor.

Rodney Garside, thought I knew the name but the red beard clinched it, I can picture him strolling through SUT's depot at Charlotte Rd. A great character he was.

Hi Neil,

I worked briefly at SUT in about 1955 during the school holiday when I was in the sixth form. I forget what the office was called but I worked on statistics calculating milages against fuel consumption etc. I worked with Tom Robinson, Ted ?, Tony Boretti ?. The thing that impressed me most was the canteen; quite a treat after school dinners! That is how I came to know Rodney Garside.

Mike

I think his father was Bill Barton who used to run Roxy School of Motoring. He taught most of my family and friends, most passing first time. I believe he also taught Martin Woodward to be an Instructor, who set up his own school in '73, whose name I now work under.

I learned with my dad and some lessons with Roxy in 1967. They had a 'B' reg 1964 green Hillman Minx. I passed 5 weeks after my 17th birthday and dad bought me an A35 van.AAHHH Cloud nine!

I think his father was Bill Barton who used to run Roxy School of Motoring. He taught most of my family and friends, most passing first time. I believe he also taught Martin Woodward to be an Instructor, who set up his own school in '73, whose name I now work under.

Well i wasn't one of the most, 3rd time lucky:) The first I let the steering wheel run through my hands after turning a corner n nearly clipped a tree with the wing mirror. The second he changed the bloody car from a renault to a hyundai which I had only one lesson in before taking my test, and accidentally felt the knee of the examinor whilst changing gear in to reverse, he had no sense of humour! The third I finally passed 8 months later.

Dad Barton was funny, I spent most of my lessons running errands for him such as meeting the mobile library to swap his books n popping to car spares for bits for the car. My first car was a red 'T' reg vauxhall viva, I loved that car, I had some really good times and lots of memories, but sadly it died on me.

My brother had the son Barton, he thought he was brilliant, his lessons consisted of totty spotting (a bloke thing:))

Hi Mike,

The office was called the "Stores Office" Ted (seem to remember his surname started with a "B" but it was probably "Z". I don't remember Toni Boretti but Tom Robinson I well remember. Tom & Ted were aces with thick rubber bands, if you remember, that office was just littered with the remains of flies that had been splatted against it's walls and ceiling courtesy of those two.

Hi Neil,

I do remember the rubber bands. Tom and I went to infants' and junior school together at Woodthorpe but were separated at secondary level. Tom went to Marlcliffe and I went to Nether Edge. I haven't seen him since I joined the RAF in 1959. Although in the same year at school, Tom was almost a year older than me and had just about finished his national service before I joined as a regular. My link with Richmond came to an end earlier this year when mum died aged 92 so I have no reason to visit Sheffield any more, unless it is to stock up with Hendersons.

Mike

I failed in 1965ish. Had my lessons with Roxy, 17/6 for the hour. All my lessons had been in a blue Hillman Imp, then on test day, they brought a red one. I know it was the same model, I know colour doesn't make any difference but it was a different car with different characteristics. Not only that it was automatic and apart from the lesson just before the test, I had never driven an automatic......
Anyway, as I say, I failed then and
never tried again since.:(

Hi Joanl,

Was it not the case that, if you passed your test in an automatic, you only qualified to drive an automatic. If you passed in a manual, you could drive either? If so, you had a lucky escape.

Hi Joanl,

Was it not the case that, if you passed your test in an automatic, you only qualified to drive an automatic. If you passed in a manual, you could drive either? If so, you had a lucky escape.

Err you know that does ring a bell of some sorts, I know it applied if a bus driver had passed in a normal car he had to do it again in an automatic before he could drive the bus didn't he.....hmmm you've got me thinking now.:confused:

Mike,

Hendersons, now that's worth coming back for.

regards
neil

Neil,

Its not just for me you understand, I have an extended family here, near Peterborough and they are all into it. I even keep it in my caravan on the Norfolk coast.

I was thinking about Ted and whilst I can't remember his surname, I recall that he smoked a pipe and his baccer was Gold Block. I also remembered a small man who was in authority - looked a bit like Jimmy Clitheroe and a young chap who always wore Ted gear and had a DA, pleasant fellow. I think there might have been another young chap in the office called Brad- always smiling. Sadly, I don't remember any females - perhaps I was too young for that at 16!!

Mike

Hi Mike,

It just makes you wonder where Hendersons ends up. A caravan on the Norfolk coast would'nt be everybodies first reply but I'd bet we would be very surprised at some of the places it gets to.

The Jimmy Clitheroe look-a-like I certainly remember, I think he might have been traffic manager because he was always prominent on the shop floor, sounded like JC as well. I don't recall the two others you mention and yes you are right, very few ladies around that part of Charlotte Road.

regards

Hi All

Does anyone remember the "Eddy" school of motoring? It was run by Edmund P Aldritt and based in a little second hand shop on Page Hall Road at Firth Park.

He was a genuine guy, very likeable. One of his habits was to give you the maximum time possible by letting the previous pupil drive you home.

Regards

DD

'Lo Mr. D. :) I do - well, I should, I had a few lessons there. Never did get around to taking that test..... Not that was ever any impediment back then.. Handy for me 'cause my nan lived round the corner on Selby Road.

Next door to Patnicks if I remember correctly? Now THERE was an Alladin's cave!

Dray

I had driving lessons with ERIC ABBEY he never advertised word of mouth was his way of getting customers.i remember the first lesson it was a mini to my horror it was not duel controlled,Erics reply was i,am not learning to drive so he did,nt need any controls.I was in my 30s when i learnt to drive,but thanks to the best instructor ever,. i passed 1st time.All the family son,s son,s girlfriends were taught by Eric.Ithink his son also went on to be a Driving instructor anyone else taught by Eric?

Eric is my uncle, he is still alive and well, obviously long retired. He taught everyone in our family to drive including the odd boyfriend here and there. We all passed first time, he took personal pride in that. He was strict, old school, no nonsense.

I was taught by Ken Whatham who lived on Ellesmere Rd in Pitsmoor he was a great instructor and a good laugh as well. Learnt in a datsun 160j I think it was.

yep he was he taught my mum, dad, brother and me, and stayed firm family friend for yrs after, unfortuantly he had health probs while i was haveing lessons and retired to his house in whitby, so i gave up.

I was taught by Alan Culf,he had a beige Datsun Sunny,he was based in the Gleadless area,haven't heard owt of him for yonks now!:suspect:

I had some lessons with Beauchief School of Motoring back in 1970. The fact that I am still a pedestrian is no reflection on the quality of their instruction...

I Was Taught By The John Kelly School Of Motoring,his Car Was A Cortina 1600e.....i Just Loved Those Cars And That Was The Appeal Of That Particular Driving School
Passed First Time And Don't Know How!great Guy

I had my first driving lesson on my 17th.Birthday in 1967. The driving school was Kennings near the station. The cost was 18 shillings a lesson for 10 lessons plus the driving test total cost 10 pounds. The instructor must have had the patience of a saint and would draw me pictures of what was happening when I changed gear. I hadn´t a clue what a gear was. I still remember the drawings when I drive a different car. My brother who is 2 years older was able to drive on a provisional licence because of the Suez crisis and I passed my test before he did.
Dunreet

Does anyone remember the Dalebrook School of Motoring in the 1970's?

Some years ago I tried to trace an old school teacher of mine, the last I heard he had a driving school that would be about the 80s, his name was Alan A Finch, and his wife was called Pat.
Bit of a long shot but does the name ring anybells?

Some years ago I tried to trace an old school teacher of mine, the last I heard he had a driving school that would be about the 80s, his name was Alan A Finch, and his wife was called Pat.
Bit of a long shot but does the name ring anybells?

I think he used to be a teacher at the school where I teach (King Edward VII School) If it's the same one, he ruled with a rod of iron and taught several staff members to drive.

I passed 1st time about 25 years ago.I had lessons with a woman called Karen from Norton school motoring.:)

My instructor was a wonderful young woman called Christine Beaver. She worked for Maureen Birtle's at Page Hall. Most of my immediate family were taught by her and we all passed first time.
She said that she loved the sound that's produced when one car hits another (as long as no one is hurt). Near the end of each lesson she would say "well, you know your way home from here" and I felt like a dog that had been let of the lead.
Happy Days

Maureen Birtle - sigh - now that's a blast from the past. Maureen herself taught me to drive - took 3 goes I hasten to add.

She gave me invaluable advice that I have never forgotten and use regularly - quickest/fastest way to manouvre corners (when safe to do so obviously) ..... slow in/fast out --- accelerate accelerate when the front wheels reach the apex/brow/halfway round.

Wayyy heyyyyy

Anyone remember Jack Clare at the bottom of Shrewsbury Road / Granville Road.
They had a mini track with roundabout, lights etc.
A blast from the past I know he didn't teach me but did my brother in the 50s.

My daughter is learning to drive at the moment, she is with Bill Plant and they are very professional, she started off with Wighams though and they weren't so great.

i took my lessons with colin fish , around 1971 ish , passed third time after 20 odd lessons in a blue morris marina , 19 shillings a lesson , then it went up to a pound just after decimiliation ..... right fiddle !! .

Just thinking earlier, ive now been driving for ten years :help:
And i was wondering what other peoples driving lessons and instructors were like.
I had my test at Handsworth,my insructor was ok but a bit strict :suspect:

i passed my test at handsworth, my driving instructor was terry newell that was 13 yrs ago hes still up and running my daughter has lessons with him. He has got alot of patience, easy to get on with, i had 10 lessons passed first time now thats what i call a good driving instructor he taught me well :thumbsup:

Hillsborough School of Motoring - 1960. 15/- an hour. Passed first time. The 2 instructors I remember - Mr Ridley and Mr Williams. Learned on a Wolesley 1500.

Passed first time at 17yrs old in 1990, i had lessons from Mick Overton at Keith Fessey.

Many family and friends also passed (usually first time) with Mick and would like to take this opportunity to thank Mick for great tuition that stood me in good stead throughout my driving career ( i also passed my HGV 2 first time too)

Cheers Mick and hope you are keeping well.

does any one know or remember john gill school of motoring i passed my test in 1980 with him moved away from sheffield in 91 just wondering what had happend to him

Raymond Collis was a driving instructor in the 1960/70's, anyone remember him? He worked for "Fells School of Motoring" and, I think Beauchief.

Mike Turner school of Motoring from Dore. It cost £7.50 for a lesson, if u booked in ten it was cheeper. My test was roughly £15 i think.

I remember the day well. I spent all morning on the loo cos I was a total nervous wreck and the lesson b4 my test the instructor Mike was almost silent commenting only occasionally.

While three of us waited in the room for the examiners to arrive I almost chewed my finger off, and then all of sudden they burst through the door everyone jumped and I mean everyone....:o

I looked up and there looming in the doorway was one large lady and behind her two weedy men and I thought omg I bet I get the brick sh*t house and I did.

My only consolation was that she reminded me of my ex's aunty and so with that in mind I followed her to the car. :(

Some 50mins later in I mean 50 bl**dly hell we returned. I held my breathe and awaited the news.....:hihi: I passed.

I absolutly love driving (its in the genes, so did my dad) it gives me a real sense of freedom, give me a car with a tank full of petrol and a map (or not as the case my be) and I'm away.

Forgot to mention the date 15th March 1988. Passed in a Nissan Sunny but my instructor used to make me practice in his old Datson Cheery as well apparenlty that didnt have power steering.

Mike Turner school of Motoring from Dore. It cost £7.50 for a lesson, if u booked in ten it was cheeper. My test was roughly £15 i think.

I remember the day well. I spent all morning on the loo cos I was a total nervous wreck and the lesson b4 my test the instructor Mike was almost silent commenting only occasionally.


I had him and failed both times ar Manor Top. Seemed an OK bloke. I used to help him with French whilst he talked about singing in pubs (pre karaoke days).

I passed 3rd time with BSM at Handsworth. Everyone used to say Manor was the most strict centre.

Ah yes thats sounds like Mike. Thankfully he didnt sing during a lesson, maybe because I was so serious when concentrating on my driving...lol.

Yes I'd agree with that the Manor Test Centre was strict but then again they were all tough back then.

Anybody remember the 'Leslie School of Motoring' on Ecclesall Road? He was good, this was back in the 50's mind, a bit of a stretch.

I learned to drive with ted wood lived on norfolk park, very nice man, also teached my dad in the 1970's. my lession's were 10 pound an hour and it alway went over the hour. i past my test first time in 1994 from the manor top

HI IV'E BEEN DRIVING 70 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A TEST, NOW HOW DO YOU THINK THAT HAPPENED, ALSO ONLY 2 OFFENCES', 1 FOR SPEEDING,/ 1 CAUGHT CREEPING THROUGH A HALT SIGN , I WOULD THINK THIS MUST BE SOME SORT OF RECORD ANYONE BEAT IT. [ bragger] ARTHUR.

HI IV'E BEEN DRIVING 70 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A TEST, NOW HOW DO YOU THINK THAT HAPPENED, ALSO ONLY 2 OFFENCES', 1 FOR SPEEDING,/ 1 CAUGHT CREEPING THROUGH A HALT SIGN , I WOULD THINK THIS MUST BE SOME SORT OF RECORD ANYONE BEAT IT. [ bragger] ARTHUR.

Congratulations.

Could you now press the 'caps lock' button and save my ears from this raging torment?:hihi:

I had lessons with Ted Wood too, passed first time in 1983. I remember my first lesson where he repeated told me you could drive for miles in first gear, took me a while to catch on to what he meant:) If I remember rightly I learnt in a beige coloured mini

Sorry ,l typed half the post before l knew, being a slow one finger man l thought l'd cary on , Arthur

I had my lessons with a guy called john collumbine, so did my sister. he was a brilliant instructor.

i had this guy.. colin was brilliant and a lovely guy.such a nasty and terrible end for this gentleman R.I.P col xx
http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/BREAKING-NEWS-Murder-accused-appears.5700348.jp

did anyone have the instructor from bsm called graham bibby? he was fantastic!!!!

I didnt have any lessons,passed 3 week after my 17th, bike a week later.But someones got to feed their kids, but then theres loads of women learning nowadays :)

i had this guy.. colin was brilliant and a lovely guy.such a nasty and terrible end for this gentleman R.I.P col xx
http://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/BREAKING-NEWS-Murder-accused-appears.5700348.jp

I had lessons with Colin some 20 odd years ago. A real character, hugely likable. I was shocked to see his name appear in the papers as a murder victim.

May you rest in peace sir, after such a long and fruitful life, you did not deserve to have it end like that.

i took my lessons with colin fish , around 1971 ish , passed third time after 20 odd lessons in a blue morris marina , 19 shillings a lesson , then it went up to a pound just after decimiliation ..... right fiddle !! .

I couldn't believe the tragic news about Colin Fish - how terribly sad. Colin taught me to drive in 1973 and I passed first time at Handsworth Test Centre on a Friday afternoon. I had most of my lessons in a Ford Cortina Mk 3 (very Gene Hunt, Life on Mars), then he bought a mini - so I took my test in that. Colin had a story about everything. He also had two other instructors working for him - an older one (I think with glasses) and younger guy (who I quite fancied at the time!)

Colin instilled a real responsibility into his students - I can't remember how many times he said that the car was a lethal weapon (obviously he was describing other people driving!)

HI IV'E BEEN DRIVING 70 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A TEST, NOW HOW DO YOU THINK THAT HAPPENED, ALSO ONLY 2 OFFENCES', 1 FOR SPEEDING,/ 1 CAUGHT CREEPING THROUGH A HALT SIGN , I WOULD THINK THIS MUST BE SOME SORT OF RECORD ANYONE BEAT IT. [ bragger] ARTHUR.

My Dad never took a driving test - just applied for a licence in 1932 - and drove for 65 years without picking up any points or endorsements. He was one of the best drivers I have ever been in a car with and even my friends commented on his ability.
I can't remember the name of my driving instructor but he was a " one man band " who had two Minis, one of which was a pick up truck! My lessons used to start at the Midland Station at the teatime rush hour which was hair raising even in 1962.
Passed first time at the Sharrow Lane test centre , having had 10 lessons and lots of practice in my parents' car, 12 weeks after my 17th birthday. I drove, as a novice, from Sheffield to college in Chesterfield all through that atrocious winter of 1962/63.
I subsequently had a P/T job as a driving instructor with Tindall's School of Motoring on Richmond Park Ave, Handsworth in 1965/66. Anyone remember that?

My instructor was the late, great Larry Logan (who also taught both my brothers).

Very much 'old school', his lessons were an absolute pleasure. He was foul mouthed and sometimes racist but he was also very funny.

Nearly every lesson would see me having to stop outside a beer-off so he could buy his large bottles of beer (2 and 3 litre plastic bottles, tasteless no doubt but very cheap also).

He had loads of sayings: "Hug this corner like you would your girlfriend." He'd then reply to his own comments as if it were I saying it "Oh, but I haven't got a f-in girlfriend!" He'd also say we'd better get to the Hallamshire Hospital A & E as I had just burnt his arm off driving too close to a parked car.

We'd do three point turns but whilst in mid-flow he'd tell me to put the handbrake on whilst he told me all about his daughter Lisa (whom I knew from school) and the things she had got up to last night "calling me a f-in pig, the cow." Traffic would build up either side but was he bothered?

His car would be full of smoke (he was a chain smoker) and lessons cost £8 (this was 1986/7). The sod never quite told me when I was ready for my test and so I had more lessons that I should have, but they were fun.

I took my test in May 1987 and passed first time. I felt liberated (as one does when passing a driving test) but also quite sad because that ended our association. I saw him a few times in the Rising Sun, Nethergreen but was saddened to hear that he passed away a couple or three years back.

yep, that `was ``Grampa`( Larry) he was quite a character!!! He was a bloody good driving instructor,The Best! He taught all his family to drive including me ( daughter Lisa ) and my partner of 24 yrs. Sadly he didnt live long enough to teach our children. people still come up to us and talk about my Dad, and its lovely that they remember him with such affection, remembering his stories and all his funny sayings. Larry is gone, BUT, will NEVER be forgotten.xxx Larry Logan 1923-2000 xxx

My driving instructor was Bert Fell and I passed first time in thick fog at Handsworth on December 1971. Still remember things he taught me.