Driving test results

Sir, – Everyone seems to jump to the conclusion that it is completely the fault of driver testers that pass rates in the driving test vary from centre to centre (“What is the pass rate at your local driving test centre?” August 8th).

Might it be that professional driving instructors’ ability to inspire confidence in learners varies from place to place?

When I was learning to drive I received lessons from two different professional driving instructors. However, it was only when I bought a 10-year-old Mini Clubman estate in 1980 and started driving on a provisional licence by myself that I mastered the ability to drive away in first gear without stalling.

This despite suffering a baptism of fire the first time I drove the Mini when its exhaust pipe broke as I was driving home in heavy traffic on Pearse Street. Six months later I passed my driving test in Ballymun Test Centre on my first attempt. – Yours, etc,