Closing Remarks

Driving Licence Advice
This week’s advice concerns the issues involved when obtaining a driving licence. Most of us
have navigated the UK licence test. Anyone who turned 17 before World War 2 was simply
issued a licence (my dad was one of them). The rest of us have had to pass a written and
road test.
This advice may be particularly useful for anyone contemplating moving to somewhere
warm and sunny and not British. It is based on personal experience. I have obtained driving
licences in England, Zambia, Bogotá and Chicago. Passing the test requires an understanding
of the culture. Simply driving is not enough.
I shall illustrate cultural differences.
In Zambia, in the 70s times were tough, with sanctions in place on their southern neighbour
(Southern Rhodesia). Part of the test involved reversing between oil drums. To ensure
sufficient profit was made the drums were placed closer than the vehicle width on the first
test to ensure failure and help to achieve the revenue targets.
In Bogotá, Colombia there were two ways to get a licence. One was to fill in forms, do a test
and pass or fail it. The $10 option. The alternative was to give your secretary a $100 bill and
a photo and she would come back with a driving licence (all legal I was told).
In USA, where the right to drive is almost as sacrosanct as the right to bear arms, the test is
not too bad. However be wary of the written tick box test. I was told it was easy so did no
revision. I was then confronted with road signs to identify. However the picture had been
removed and only the shape was left to give a clue. 3 strikes and you are out. I passed with
no strikes left.
So please consider the cultural situation before embarking on obtaining a licence abroad. I
imagine Germany is quite challenging?
Finally here is some advice for those struggling with the UK test on busy roads, complex
one-way systems, traffic lights and roundabouts. Book a holiday cottage near Kirkwall in
Orkney for a couple of months, book a test and have a bit of practice around the town. You
should find there are no traffic lights permanently installed or dual carriageways to
confound you and a pretty relaxed attitude to life. There are quite a few mini roundabouts
though so please take a look at my advice on roundabouts to cope with these. Good luck to
driving test applicants in Orkney.