'WHAT AN EXPERIENCE!' Tain grandmother (71) fulfils dream of passing lorry driving test
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AN Easter Ross gran has surprised and delighted her friends and relatives by passing her test to drive lorries weighing up to 32 tonnes.
Former office worker Ann Skinner’s family arranged “a wee shot” at driving an articulated lorry as a surprise 70th birthday present – and after driving circuits and figures of eight on a piece of private ground in Inverness courtesy of MD Fiddes Training, she was hooked.
Ann (71), of Hilton by Tain, said: “I was always saying to my family when I was out in the car how I admired truckers doing the job they do, and it was arranged as a surprise to let me have a go.
“I really enjoyed it, and I later phoned Dave MacKintosh, my instructor on that day, to ask if he thought I could pass my test in one. He said he saw no reason why not, but first I would have to pass a medical and sit theory tests such as hazard perception to get my provisional licence.”
Because of Covid it took about nine months to get the initial clearances to start Long Goods Vehicle (LGV) intensive training with Fiddes, including five four-hour sessions during which time she took the artic out on the open road in both Ross-shire and Inverness.
“My instructor Cameron Cumming was quite hard on me and made no allowances for age, and why should he?” said Ann.
There came a stumbling block however that debarred Ann from progressing on the artic.
Slightly built and 5ft 1in tall, Ann couldn’t unhitch the tractor unit from the trailer which was a vital part of the test.
She said: “I didn’t have the physical strength to remove the kingpin by hand, so I went forward to pass my test on a rigid truck, and I am now the delighted holder of a LGV Class C licence which I passed n July.
“To be honest I might have another go at the artic if I build up my strength. I’m told there is a knack to getting the kingpin out.
“I must give the biggest thank you ever to all at MD Fiddes for their help and encouragement and of course the training.
“What an experience! What a result!”
Ann, who worked at Tain Registrar’s Office, and has been driving since she was 17, (of course she passed first time) has seven grandchildren from age five to 22, said: “I hope I am an encouragement to them and other people that age is not always a barrier.
“But if you want to do something you have to put in the effort.”
Dave MacKintosh at MD Fiddes Training said: “Ann was a cracker of a pupil, really enthusiastic to fulfil her dream of driving a lorry and she loved it. It just goes to prove that age is no barrier and dreams can come true.
“Some kingpins are tough to pull but she was amazing, absolutely amazing. She now has a licence that could see her on the road in an eight-wheeler tipper!
“Well done Ann from all at MD Fiddes Training.”
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