A GRANDMOTHER passed her driving test on the first attempt - at the ripe age of 82.

Josephine Sheeka, from Colchester, used to have an American driving licence as she would regularly visit her family there for months at a time.

However, her American licence expired after a year, and for the past seven years she has not been able to drive.

Wanting to have more independence and be able to visit her sons in Colchester, she decided it was time to swap to the other side of the road and get a UK licence.

She said: “I decided I must have a licence because I need one.

“When you get old you have to have an easier way to get around.

“I asked my instructor, June, at DVDS Learners if she could give me lessons.

“She is a lovely lady, you can depend on her.”

Josephine is unsure of how much time she spent practising her driving skills, as half way through her lessons with June, she had to go into hospital to have a knee replacement.

She said: “I had been having pain in my knee and June was very nice about that.

“She helped me so much and she waited until I had recovered, then I started having lessons with her again.

“It’s easier driving in the UK, especially when I’m with June.”

Josephine, who lives in Birch, admitted she was a little scared of taking the driving test, but said her instructor reassured her she had just as much of a chance as anyone else.

She added: “I told June I was scared as I didn’t think I was going to pass.

“She said if I listened to what she was saying I would pass, and that is what I have done.

“I asked her to be in the car with me on my test. I had to do all the manoeuvres.

“It wasn’t hard at all as I remembered what she taught me and I kept it in my head.

“In the morning before my test we drove all around the area.”

Josephine said she was thrilled when she found out she has passed on her first attempt.

She added: “I was very happy, I didn’t know what to say.

“I was just really surprised and everyone said I did very well.”

Josephine is now on her son’s insurance and will use his car.

She said: “I’m an old lady now and can use the car to go shopping or to church or to visit my sons in Colchester.

“It means I can go and see them whenever I want and I can visit my grandchildren.”