The Driving Test In Leeds

tilly · Post by **tilly** » Wed 17 Nov, 2010 8:34 pm

I passed my motor bike test in Woodhouse lane in 1958 i will never forget that day.One of the things you had to do was an emergency stop the test examiner told me he would step out from behind a car somewere on the route.I had no problem with this and passed first time.But the same day an examiner walked out in front of the wrong bike and ended up in the LGI i think they might have stopped doing that soon after this happened.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Wed 17 Nov, 2010 9:03 pm

I passed my test (first time ) at the now closed Crossgates test centre, just around the corner from the Post Office.I was a bit nervous - my supply of saliva had virtually vanished by the time we got back to the test centre for the then mandatory Q&A session and the identification of some random road signs and I could hardly talk. Once I'd got my pass certificate I ran over the road to Threshers and bought a big bottle of.....pop!The came the boring bit of saving up for a car (and the insurance premiums!)

jim · Post by **jim** » Wed 17 Nov, 2010 9:03 pm

Hi Tilly. I passed my motor bike test at the same Woodhouse Lane Centre - despite failing dismally to travel slowly by slipping the clutch as I had never heard of the practice. I told the examiner that in slow traffic I stopped and started to match the traffic speed and unbelievably he passed me! This was in 1964 I think. The examiner told me to drive several times round a figure of eight course round a course including Woodhouse Lane and the two back streets with a cross connecting street, up and down which he hurried so as to see most of my progress. My emergency stop was impressive , if I say it myself. He definitely didn't jump out from behind a car though!

tilly · Post by **tilly** » Wed 17 Nov, 2010 9:21 pm

jim wrote: Hi Tilly. I passed my motor bike test at the same Woodhouse Lane Centre - despite failing dismally to travel slowly by slipping the clutch as I had never heard of the practice. I told the examiner that in slow traffic I stopped and started to match the traffic speed and unbelievably he passed me! This was in 1964 I think. The examiner told me to drive several times round a figure of eight course round a course including Woodhouse Lane and the two back streets with a cross connecting street, up and down which he hurried so as to see most of my progress. My emergency stop was impressive , if I say it myself. He definitely didn't jump out from behind a car though! Hi Jim i had to do figures of eight also, here goes another story i put in for my test but had to cancel, because i broke both my back springs on my Royal Enfield raceing a telegraph boy up Dewsbury Road.We both had 150cc bikes his was a BSA Bantam we were neck and neck untill i hit a pot hole.I had the springs done and put in for my test again on the day of my test my kickstart broke i went to Woodhouse Lane and told them i could only push start the bike in first gear.They told me if i could do it safely it would be ok, well the rest is history.

Trojan · Post by **Trojan** » Wed 17 Nov, 2010 9:34 pm

The driving test centre on Woodhouse Lane adjacent to the Uni was called Hopewell House. There was another one on York Road, in the Jowett and Sowry stationers building.I took three tests in Leeds - two from Hopewell House and one from Jowett and Sowry - failed them all. I passed in Dewsbury.

tilly · Post by **tilly** » Wed 17 Nov, 2010 9:42 pm

I passed my bike test at Woodhouse Lane and my car test at Horsforth both first time.I must admit its a lot harder test now than when i took them my car test was in 1973.

Uno Hoo · Post by **Uno Hoo** » Thu 18 Nov, 2010 12:09 am

Passed my motorbike test in Leeds in 1961 at Woodhouse Lane. Very similar experience to the other posters. When it came to my car test, I drew on my mother's experience of failing 3 times in Leeds, and passing in Harrogate. I drew a leaf out of her book, went to Harrogate, and passed first time (1962). Mr Feather was a legend in his day - I think he failed Mum twice.My driving instructor wouldn't let me drive back home after passing - on reflection, it was probably a good policy. Euphoria is not the safest emotion for a driver.

Keg · Post by **Keg** » Thu 18 Nov, 2010 12:10 pm

Horsforth for me, mum didn't expect me to pass but i did!.

blackprince · Post by **blackprince** » Sat 20 Nov, 2010 1:02 am

Horsforth for me too. Passed first time in 1967. I did most of my L driving around Woodhouse La.and Headingley. I didn't know that there was a test centre there but my instructor booked me in at Horsforth. I only had 1 lesson in Horsforth to familiarise myself with the area . I didn't think doing the test there was a piece of cake. Much more hilly than I was used to. I remember doing the 3 point turn on a street with a slope like Otley Chevin and I had always practised them on level ground. Still all's well that ends well. I must have been one of the last to have to do Hand signals I think they were dropped from the test not long after that.

buffaloskinner · Post by **buffaloskinner** » Sat 20 Nov, 2010 6:59 pm

I was lucky in that the YEB paid for my lessons with BSM because I need a licence to do my job aa a mechanic. 1968 at Harehills, passed first attempt.Todays bad driving irrates me, I have just come home on the M62 and most cars seem to prefer the centre lane whilst keeping the nearside clear, what is it with people?