Alresford: Chris, 17, is a pass master at driving (From Gazette)
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Alresford: Chris, 17, is a pass master at driving
11:36am Thursday 27th March 2008 in Search By Tom Parkes
Chris Napier celebrates passing his driving test a week after his 17th birthday at the first attempt. Buy this photo »
A DETERMINED builder who was L-bent on learning to drive has passed his test just a week after turning 17.
Alresford teenager, Chris Napier, celebrated his birthday by grabbing the earliest opportunity to take his written driving theory exam at 8.30am on March 15.
He took his practical test exactly a week later, after a series of intensive lessons with Colchester-based Castle Driving School, and passed without a single minor fault.
He is now driving his own van to building jobs all over north Essex.
The confident contractor had a handy headstart, as he gained experience of getting behind the wheel while helping out at his dad's farm.
Instructor Paul Turnbull said he had been impressed by how easily the youngster transferred from trundling through fields on a tractor to negotiating his way through the traffic-clogged streets of Colchester.
"The only thing he had any trouble with was remembering to check his mirrors," he said.
"For someone to pass this soon after becoming eligible is really unusual."
