From October 1970, anyone wishing to give paid instruction had to qualify and have their name entered onto the Register by law. Hilary was among them.

“I was very proud of my achievement in becoming an ADI and I still am. I treat safe driving very seriously and with great respect. I would like to think I have passed this attitude on to my pupils over the years,” she said.

“I have taught thousands of people to drive over four decades; three generations, from grandparents in their younger days to their children and present-day grandchildren. Many of my pupils have gone on

to driving careers themselves including four driving instructors, a close protection driver, heavy goods vehicle drivers, passenger carrying vehicle drivers, ambulances and taxis.

Hilary added: “I built a reputation based on good results, so a lot of my work came through recommendation. I taught Carol Vorderman to drive when she was 17. She was a natural and passed quickly.”

Over the course of her career, Hilary has seen many changes affect driving, not least the amount of money car ownership now costs.

“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!”

“In the ‘60s, lessons cost the

equivalent of 50p, and the test cost £1. Petrol was about £1 for four gallons. On average a learner would have 10 to 20 lessons to reach test standard. There were no roundabouts, they didn’t go out of the 30mph zone, and used arm signals!”

“I was very proud of my achievement in becoming an ADI and I still am.”

But if cost has increased, at least car safety and technology have increased alongside it.

Hilary said: “My first Mini, that icon of the ‘60s, cost £400. I had 13 Minis over the years. Looking back it must have been like riding on a skateboard! The front seats were only secured at the front and there were no seat belts, so when you did an emergency stop you were thrown either onto your knees on the floor or face against the windscreen! There was no compensation culture in those days.

“Examiners were always referred to as ‘Mr’, no Christian name terms like today.”

Hilary is still working in her home town of St. Asaph, near Rhyl test centre, and has no plans to retire.

She concluded: “When I was getting married in the ‘70s I wanted to resign as an ADI, but the supervising examiner at the time, Mr Knott, advised me not to give up my registration as I might need to carry on some day.

“He was right! Forty-six years after I started, and coming up for age 64, I’m still ‘carrying on’.”

www.dsa.gov.uk Despatch Magazine 7