James May, known for his role as a host on Top Gear, recently attempted to retake his driving test in Salisbury. The former television presenter documented this experience on his YouTube channel, James May’s Planet Gin. His motivation was to compare the modern driving test with the one he passed in 1980.
Testing a Modern Driving Assessment
The driving test took place at the Salisbury Driving Test Centre, located off Manor Road in Rougemont Close. May undertook the assessment in a dual-control vehicle, accompanied by an instructor. He openly admitted that he had not prepared for the test and aimed to see how much driving regulations had evolved since his last assessment.
James May’s Experience
Despite being a licensed driver, May expressed a mix of confidence and curiosity. “Now, I do, of course, already have a licence,” he shared. However, he noted, “It was 1980 when I last took a test, and things have moved on a lot since then.”
His attempt, however, ended in disappointment. May was recorded driving at 46 mph in a 40 mph zone and 33 mph in a 30 mph zone, leading to his failure due to speeding. Acknowledging his errors, he commented, “I did 42 then. Sorry, but that was my eagerness to join the flow of traffic and not be a hazard.”
Reflections on the Drive
Throughout the driving test, May maintained a light-hearted conversation with his instructor. The topics included his past experiences on Top Gear, his aversion to vocal GPS instructions, and his playful interactions with ‘The Stig’, played by Ben Collins. He humorously remarked that he might “turn into an ASBO” once the instructor exited the vehicle.
A Humorous Conclusion
Despite failing the modern driving test, James May took the news in stride. He thanked his viewers for joining him on this experience and ended the video with a cheeky reminder: “Do as I say, not as I do.”
- Location: Salisbury Driving Test Centre
- Speed Violations: 46 mph in a 40 mph zone, 33 mph in a 30 mph zone
- Year of Last Test: 1980
- Channel: James May’s Planet Gin
