Passing your first driving test aged 74

Last week the 74-year-old successfully passed her driving test, moving her one step closer to her first drivers licence. 

Originally from Italy, she and her husband Remo moved to the South West three years ago after nearly 50 years living in South Africa.

Mrs Coppo-Andreone said as they aged she felt it would be beneficial for her to have a licence.

“We are getting older and I would hate for Remo to get sick and I couldn’t help by driving him to the doctors,” she said. 

“I’ve never had a licence in my life but one day I said to myself, I must try to do this.” 

Mrs Coppo-Andreone said getting behind the wheel for the first time was a little difficult but she enjoying getting the hang of driving. 

“I figured it was better to try and get my licence late than to not try at all,” she said. 

“I kept telling Remo he had to let me drive him around and into town so that I could practice.” 

She said all the practice made her calm on the day of the test and it went well.

Mr Andreone said he was extremely proud when his wife passed the test. 

“The older you get the harder things like this get but Lucy has the will to do it,” he said. 

“She was so excited after the test and I think she did a very good job.” 

Mrs Coppo-Andreone said the Department of Transport assessor conducting her test was initially surprised at her age but impressed with her skills. 

“She told me that almost no one does the test for the first time at this age,” Mrs Coppo-Andreone said. 

The pair are now planning to keep driving around to increase the hours in her logbook as she heads towards her P-plates. 

But unlike most other P-plate drivers, the freedom of driving independently is unlikely to mean McDonald’s runs and a chance to sneak off to a nightclub. 

Instead the couple who celebrate 55 years of marriage in 2016 are more likely to take the car for a nice spin around town together enjoying life to the fullest.