Grandmother passes test at 77 and takes to road in 3-litre Jag

77 year old Kathleen Mitchell has recently passed her driving test. Picture: Ross Parry Agency

A GRANDMOTHER is firmly in the driving seat after passing her test at the age of 77 – and is about to start cruising around in a sporty three-litre Jaguar.

Kathleen Mitchell passed her test with flying colours and is getting insured to drive the blue sports car.

Mrs Mitchell, a grandmother of six from Brierley, South Yorkshire, said: “It’s a wonderful machine, and I think I’ll look right at home driving it.

“I’ve always loved nice cars, and I’ve always liked being a passenger at speed, but getting to drive a car like this for myself is a real treat.

“I reckon I’ll turn a few heads when I’m behind the wheel, although my husband will be keeping an eye on my speed because he won’t want me to put a scratch on it.

“It’s easy to get carried away with yourself in a car like that, though, because there’s so much power under the bonnet, so I’ll have to be mindful.

“I just can’t wait to get out in it and burn some rubber on the open road.”

Mrs Mitchell decided to learn how to drive after her husband Tony, 78, suffered a stroke and underwent treatment for cancer.

Since passing her theory test in March, Kathleen had just 20 driving lessons before passing her test last week.

She now has her sights set on driving 310 miles to visit her daughter in Bude, Cornwall.

She said: “It’s on my bucket list to drive there. I think I’ll need some motorway driving lessons before I take on the challenge, though.”