At an age where most people start downsizing their cars 70-year-old Beckenham resident Noeline Ward is going bigger and bigger.
Ms Ward, a great grandmother, passed her light rigid truck licence last month, which means she can now drive vehicles up to eight tonnes.
She decided to get her light rigid licence two years ago after she’d had enough of sleeping in swags on top of their four wheel drive when she and her husband Bob went on road trips.
“I thought well we need a big motor home with the bed down the bottom not up the top because we’re getting old so I thought I’d get a permit and hopefully I’ll get the licence and it doesn’t matter what kind of van we bought,” she said.
“I had it for about two years but when we did find the right van I found out I could drive it on a car licence so I thought well I paid for the permit so I’ll just give it a go.”
Ms Ward had a few lessons then went for her test and passed first time.
“I really thought my age would’ve worked against me, so did my grandchildren,” she said.
“It was quite easy even though it rained for just about every lesson and it rained when I was going for the test.
“The hardest part was just reverse parking around the corner in the rain, I was pleased it was over with.”
Ms Ward said she will use her licence to help out friends in need of a truck driver.
She now has her car, motorbike and truck licence. Bob said he was proud of his wife’s effort.
