At the time, we lived in an apartment in town from where we could walk to most places. We had my father’s 150cc motorbike, my mother’s 49cc Mobylette and, as a car, a red Gogomobil which was little more than a powered tricycle. It was tiny, with three wheels, two in the front, one in the back, and was an ideal car on which to learn. It was easy to drive and fitted into tight spaces.
John had taken quickly to driving, even though it usually took some time for novices to learn the correct use of the clutch and accelerator pedals, to prevent “kangaroo petrol”: lurching forward, stalling, jerking the vehicle. He didn’t do that. I know that this was partly because he was so technical and perhaps also because he had already just passed his motorcycle driving test. I assumed that he would have no problem with his car test. He was competent and self-assured.
Off he went, with my mother or my father as his accompanying driver. But much to the surprise of the three of us waiting at home, John had come home much earlier than expected, saying that he had failed! What? How could he fail?! I couldn’t believe it! What on earth had he done? I wanted to know. Then John told us that he had run out of petrol (gas) midway through his test. The examiner had been furious, apparently. He had leapt out of the car, slamming the door, and bellowing, “You’ve failed!” at John. He had then marched off to a nearby call box to phone the Test Centre and get a ride back. I have no idea how John got back to the Test Centre. Perhaps he walked.
So, what did John do next in view of this disaster? Instead of being crestfallen, he had seen the funny side of the story and had begun to laugh. Running out of gas, indeed, during a driving test! Priceless! Our whole family was soon in fits of giggles.
John wasn’t perturbed because he knew he could book another test for the following day. Yes, this was permissible. Pay the fee, make an appointment, and try again. So, it was not yet a disaster, not unless he failed again, which was unlikely if he put some gas in the car.
Less than 24 hours later, John passed his test. He was thrilled. On Saturday, he collected his girlfriend for the school dance, and drove her home afterwards.
So now it was my turn to take my driving test. I made sure there was plenty of gas in the car.
