Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon passes driving test first time

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has passed her driving test at the age of 53.

The ex-SNP leader posted proof of her achievement on Monday having started learning to drive just before stepping aside from the top job at Holyrood.

She previously passed her theory test in June, and posted on social media that it was “never too late” to learn having passed the practical element at the first time of asking.

She also thanked instructor Andy MacFarlane for his efforts in helping her towards the milestone.

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“So this happened today – at the tender age of 53, I passed my driving test (first time!!),” she wrote on Instagram.

“I couldn’t have done it without my brilliant instructor, Andy MacFarlane of Caledonian Learner Driver Training. It was really important to me, as a 53 year old former FM, not just to have an excellent teacher but someone I could trust and feel comfortable with – Andy was all of that and more!

“The whole experience has taken me well out of any notion of a comfort zone, but hopefully proves that it’s never too late in life to do something new.”

In her theory test, Sturgeon scored 50 out 50 in the multiple choice section and 56 out of 75 in hazard perception – 12 above the 44-point pass mark.

Sturgeon began her lessons in March to prepare for life after standing down as FM.

She announced she was quitting Bute House in February after almost nine years in the role and was later replaced by Humza Yousaf.