In these days when rules and regulations have become such an integral part of everyday life, it seems strange to reflect that in 1961, elf 'n safety hadn't been 'invented'. Incredibly (by today's standards), for example, there was nothing to prevent almost anyone from starting a driving school; all that was required was a current driving license.
My own experience is a typical example of how things were in those days.
There are, however, a couple of interesting sub-plots.
My own experience is a typical example of how things were in those days.
There are, however, a couple of interesting sub-plots.
Firstly, a driving school proprietor, whilst rejecting my application to work for him, suggested that an additional driving qualification (such as an HGV license, for example) might have strengthened my case; and, by an interesting coincidence, a local bus company were recruiting new drivers.
At that time, almost anyone could present themselves at a bus garage and receive thorough training from experienced instructors; thereafter, they could take a PSV (nowadays known as PCV) driving test and, if successful, be offered employment by the company. Without blowing my own trumpet too loudly, having driven a variety of large vehicles during my national service, driving a bus didn't present too much of a problem and I passed the test (in the bus shown above) and worked for the bus company for a little over six moths before re-presenting myself at the aforementioned driving school; leaving the owner (in his words) with little option other than to offer me a job.
At that time, almost anyone could present themselves at a bus garage and receive thorough training from experienced instructors; thereafter, they could take a PSV (nowadays known as PCV) driving test and, if successful, be offered employment by the company. Without blowing my own trumpet too loudly, having driven a variety of large vehicles during my national service, driving a bus didn't present too much of a problem and I passed the test (in the bus shown above) and worked for the bus company for a little over six moths before re-presenting myself at the aforementioned driving school; leaving the owner (in his words) with little option other than to offer me a job.
The significance of this sub-plot is that, firstly, it explains the origins of my username and the video which inspired it, secondly, a suggestion that I looked far too young to be a driving instructor was instrumental in my decision to grow a beard.
Returning to the elf 'n safety issue, having become a driving instructor in the early sixties, the only independent organisation offering instructors - and, therefore, the public - some form of regulation was The Royal Automobile Club (to whom I'm grateful for the photos shown below, BTW); who, in addition to providing useful literature for learner drivers, operated a system of examination. Those who were successful were entered into a register and, as a consequence, were entitled to display these plates on their vehicle.........
Returning to the elf 'n safety issue, having become a driving instructor in the early sixties, the only independent organisation offering instructors - and, therefore, the public - some form of regulation was The Royal Automobile Club (to whom I'm grateful for the photos shown below, BTW); who, in addition to providing useful literature for learner drivers, operated a system of examination. Those who were successful were entered into a register and, as a consequence, were entitled to display these plates on their vehicle.........
RAC Reg - get it?
Eventually, towards the end of the sixties, the Ministry of Transport (as it was then known) decided to regulate driving instructors by introducing a system of examination. Those who were already employed as instructors were allowed a period of three-years grace before registration became compulsory; however, I was amongst the very first group who passed the examination at the earliest possible opportunity. Somewhere or another, I still have the certificate I received. When/if I find it, I'll add it to this blog.
Eventually, towards the end of the sixties, the Ministry of Transport (as it was then known) decided to regulate driving instructors by introducing a system of examination. Those who were already employed as instructors were allowed a period of three-years grace before registration became compulsory; however, I was amongst the very first group who passed the examination at the earliest possible opportunity. Somewhere or another, I still have the certificate I received. When/if I find it, I'll add it to this blog.
