The first compulsory driving tests were introduced in Britain in June 1935 - and 245,000 people applied straight away. The pass rate was 63 per cent and examiners met hopeful candidates at places like railway stations because there were no test centres then. They must have driven there themselves, we guess.
To celebrate the milestone, here’s a look back at Sheffield learner drivers and instructors heading for the open road over the years.
5. Fireman's lift
Astrid October gets some driving lessons from Dave Purcell of the Sheffield Fire Museum (now the National Emergency Services Museum) at the 1997 Sheffield Motor Show Photo: Barry Richardson
6. Tough lesson
Learner-driver Ryan Drears had his car towed away from Woodhouse in October 2011 despite having notices in his window declaring it as SORN. He was expected to pay £150 to retrieve the vehicle Photo: Sarah Washbourn
7. Theory test helpers
Pictured at Fir Vale school, Sheffield in December 2003, where adults were using IT technology to study for their driving theory test, are course tutor Amjad Janjua, deputy head Bob Hamlyn and course members behind them Photo: Mike Waistell
8. Road king Rex!
Rex Thompson of Tapton Crescent Road, Sheffield, who had just passed his Advaanced Driving test at the first attempt, aged 82, in January 2000 Photo: Steve Ellis