It’s not what you know . . .

UNLIKE Laura Freeman, who took nine attempts to pass her driving test (Mail), I discovered the secret formula for passing first time when I was 17.

I’d had only a few lessons before I booked my test. My instructor said: ‘If he passes, anyone can!’

The test lived up to his worst expectations. But, at the end, the examiner said: ‘Right, I am going to pass you.’

As I stared at him in astonishment, he looked me straight in the eye and added: ‘You know, your uncle was my commanding officer during the war.’ JOHN BROMLEY-DAVENPORT,

Malpas, Cheshire.