Pioneering ADI Hilary Sandland is still going strong


When 12-year-old Hilary Owen started driving tractors on her family’s farm in north Wales, it was the start of a life-long career behind the wheel.


“I did a lot of motor sport, including rallying, hill climbing and grass track racing.”


Encouraged in her love of driving by her father Gordon, who was the president of the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), Hilary passed her test in 1964 at 17. She enrolled on a driving instructors’ course and launched out as a self- employed instructor aged 18, under the name Highway Driving School.


Hilary was one of very few female instructors across the whole of Great Britain and to the best of her knowledge, she was the youngest in the country.


“It was unheard of for a young woman. As a result I featured in national and local newspapers, on the TV, radio, and had an advert in the cinema!” remembered Hilary.


6 Despatch Magazine www.dsa.gov.uk


Aged 19, Hilary passed the advanced driving test with IAM. A familiar face at the male- dominated Rhyl and District Motor Club, it was there that she met her husband, Nick, jointly competing in a 1255cc Mini Cooper.


“I did a lot of motor sport, including rallying, hill climbing and grass track racing,” said Hilary, whose married name became Hilary Sandland. “I was just welcomed as one of the gang.”


In October ’64 the Register of Approved Driving Instructors was introduced on a voluntary basis. One year later, more than 3,000 instructors had qualified and could claim the title of Ministry of Transport Approved Driving Instructor. Conscientious Hilary joined their ranks in 1968, again featuring in national and local press as possibly the youngest female ADI in the country.


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