UK's 1st Driving Test taken
The 16th of March 1935 AD
When the first test – it was taken by a Mr Beene – was taken on March 16 1935, it cost 7s 6d, or 37.5p in modern coinage. Today we pay £30 for the driving theory test, and £56.50 for the weekday practical test. A 230-fold increase. Inflation just isn’t in it!
Mr J Beene was in fact taking the test voluntarily, as compulsory testing only began on June 1 the same year. He would not have started from a test centre, as there were none at that time – examiners (who did their own bookings) met the candidates at a pre-arranged point, like a car park or near a road junction. Mr Beene (can’t you just picture him doing the hand signals which were required?) passed.
There were 250 examiners appointed to begin testing – today there are more than 1,600.
Happily the point of the testing , which was to reduce road fatalities, was rapidly realised: pre-testing there were more than 7,000 road deaths a year, within three years that had fallen to below 6,000. It is by no means surprising that the impact was not greater, as those who bought their licences before April 1 (how apposite) 1934 never had to take a test.
More famous dates here
13151 views since 13th March 2008
Comment
From mike beere on 28th October 2009
Correction. The first person to pass the drving test in the Uk was a Mr R.E.L.BEERE (not Beene) the date of that test was the 16th March 1935. How do I know this. I am his son and I have the certifcate 00001 signed and dated on behalf of the then Minister of Transport.
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