Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

I was asked this the other day, anyone know about this???

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I'm wondering if you could answer a question I would like to ask you as you are probably the right person to ask, during the suez crisis in 1957 they allowed learner drivers on provisional licences like myself to drive unaccompanied, this lasted for about two years and was something to do with the petrol rationing at the time, although it was great for learner drivers and I'm not complaining but I never understood the reason for this as it made little sense to me. It was the talking point in the pub the other night and no one seemed to know the answer, so I'm trying to find out ,no urgency just curious
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[Uncle Joe]

The answer to this is only partially due to petrol rationing.

Driving Tests were suspended for 5 or 6 months, and the examiners were used to help distribute petrol rations.

Anyone that had held a provisional licence for over a month was allowed to drive unaccompanied, as they couldnt take their test.

UJ

[MalcolmL]

I was told the reason for the suspension was due to the fact that MOT personnel (of that time) were re-directed to handling the problems of petrol rationing - which included the L testers - so there were no testers - so there was no need for L licences ! Sounds like dubious logic to me.

I'm curious - are there any stats for L drivers from that period ? Anybody know ? I wonder how L drivers fared without the obligatory licenced driver in the suicide seat ? I never had a single accident in that time. After Suez, I took 7 lessons with BSM and passed the test first time in Carford, SE; then went on to a company car and to have a good run of bumps, scrapes, collisions - even once hitting a Churchill tank on a transporter in Nottingham. Weigh that combo against a Singer Vogue !

MalcolmL

[Rivet_101]

I remember my postmaster in Bristol telling me that he learned solo during the same period.

It is an interesting question.

Seems bizarre that people should be told that because they couldn't take the test it was ok to go ahead and drive alone.

[Uncle Joe]

I suppose that it is bizarre by todays standards, but things were a lot different then, I suppose.

Dont forget that there was considerably less traffic, with very few people owing cars, by todays standars at least

UJ