Learner Collection

Driver is a Novice
CAUTION : DRIVER IS A NOVICE A useful notice tied to the back of a learner drivers car as he makes a nervous hand signal

L Plates British

LCC-LFB learner drivers on a London street
A picture taken outside the headquarters of the London Fire Brigade in Southwark Bridge Road, SE1, on 14 September 1935, showing a motorised Dennis fire engine with an L-plate on the front

GLC-LFB Junior firemen learning to drive
The Junior firemen scheme in London ran from 1964 until 1969. 16-17 year old boys were put under extended training until they could be enrolled as operational firefighters at 18

British Motorcycle road racer Barry Sheene and girlfriend Stephanie McLean are to co-star in a motor cycle racing film called Space Raiders

School leaver Bryn Owen aged 17 with his Vespa scooter, which has 34 mirrors and 81 lights on the front and back, all bought with his pocket money. Market Bosworth, Leicestershire, 1st July 1983

Some of the girls of the Womens Royal Army Corps who are learning to handle motorcycles and other transport at the womens Territorial Camp at Rolston, East Yorkshire. 31st August 1949

Advert for the Atco Junior Miniature Motor Car
Here the Atco Junior Safetyfirst Trainer, a scaled-down miniature motor car for children, is being promoted as an educational resource for budding motorists. The car was made by Charles H. Pugh Ltd

Comic postcard, Man pushing pram with triplets Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Protection for rollerskating Date: early 20th century

Teaching, 1795 (plaster)
3497491 Teaching, 1795 (plaster) by Canova, Antonio (1757-1822); Fondazione Cariplo, Milan, Lombardy, Italy; (add.info.: Milano-Fondazione Cariplo-Canova Antonio-Insegnare agli ignoranti 1795)

Cats in a car on a French postcard - First lesson
Two cats in a car, just missing a dog, on a French postcard - First lesson. Date: circa 1920s

A MG Midget, learners test. May 1962

Test Drive, Built for comfort, rather than speed, armchair motoring has arrived, a Leeds firm is now marketing video tapes that teach learners all they need to know before they venture onto

Marjorie Proops learns to drive DBase

Driving lesson being given in a Vauxhall Victor 1st December 1959 Local Caption
Driving lesson being given in a Vauxhall Victor 1st December 1959 Watscan - - 09/03/2009

World Speedway Champion Freddie Williams seen here learning to ride his bike on the road. October 1953 D5969

Learner-driver under instruction in a mock-up of tram car cab, London, 1932
Learner-driver under instruction in a mock-up of tram car cab, Wandsworth, London, 1932. An instructor at the Clapham Motor School stands on the bumper of a model of a tram while a driver works

Woman on 1950s Triumph motorcycle
Woman on 1950s Triumph Cub motorcycle in the 1950s

Scooter, BEXT007-A
BEXT007-A

Two couples on two 1930s / 40s Velocette motorcycles outside h
Two couples on two1930s/early 40s Two Stroke 100cc Velocette Lightweight motorcycles outside house circa 1940

Lady learner on a 1930s / 40s Velocette motorcycle
Lady learner on a late 1930s/early 40s Two Stroke 100cc Velocette Lightweight motorcycle in the countryside circa 1940

Man & woman on 1950s Triumph motorcycle
Man & woman on 1950s Triumph Cub motorcycle in the 1950s

Two ladies on 1929 Enfield motorcycle
Two ladies on1929 Enfield Model K 1000cc side valve motorcycle & sidecar in the countryside in the early 1930s

Woman motor driver teaching soldier to drive, WW1
A new driver in the Army Motor Transport section being taught to steer by a female instructor during the First World War. A school to teach women driving and car mechanics was established by the Hon

LCC-LFB learner drivers on a London street
A picture taken outside the headquarters of the London Fire Brigade in Southwark Bridge Road, SE1, on 14 September 1935, showing a motorised Dennis fire engine with an L-plate on the front

LCC-LFB trainees looking at an engine
A group of trainee firefighters and an instructor, looking at the engine of a motorised fire vehicle with an L plate on the front before setting out on the road. Date: circa 1920s

British School of Motoring Advertisement, WW1
An advertisement for the British School of Motoring (BSM) from 1916, specifically aimed at ladies which encourages women to learn to drive because, it is a healthy, enjoyable, and if desired

British School of Motoring - ladies learn to drive 1915
Advertisement for the British School of Motoring encouraging ladies to learn to drive, a particularly useful skill during the First World War. Date: 1915

Man in motorised bath chair
A man in a motorised bath chair in front of a house, with two women sitting on the doorstep clearly admiring his means of transport

The New Broad Sword Exercise (colour engraving)
XCF275523 The New Broad Sword Exercise (colour engraving) by English School; Private Collection; (add.info.: Drill Motions of the assault; THe Six cuts; ); English, out of copyright

An alsation sits in the passenger seat of a learners car. 1936

An pair of alsations sit in the a learners car. 1936

LCC-LFB trainees looking at an engine
A group of trainee firefighters and an instructor, looking at the engine of a motorised fire vehicle with an L plate on the front before setting out on the road

LCC-LFB learner drivers on a London street
A picture taken outside the headquarters of the London Fire Brigade in Southwark Bridge Road, SE1, on 14 September 1935, showing a motorised fire engine with an L-plate on the front

Learning to Drive by Mallet
Tck, Tck! First gear once again, Mrs Turner and this time see if you can t drive RIGHT round the bend. A nervous learner driver has difficulty mastering the most basic of motoring skills. Date: 1953

L Plates

L Plates British

Honda XR Japan Japanese

First Steps for the Future Pilot
An ingenious device for teaching beginners the rudiments of controlling an aeroplane in 1931. The little machine which flies in a strong draught of air ejected from the cylinder on the left

Learning To Steer / W H Robinson
A learner driver learns to steer a car using his legs, aided by his instructor from the back. Please note: Credit must appear as (c)

Correspondence Course / W H Robinson
Learning to drive by Correspondence Course. Please note: Credit must appear as (c) Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/Mary Evans Picture Library

Learning to avoid obstacles / W H Robinson
Illustration by William Heath Robinson. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/Mary Evans Picture Library

Learning how to bring on an overtaking car / W H Robinson
Illustration by William Heath Robinson. Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/Mary Evans Picture Library

Fixing L-Plates
The first step in learning to drive : fixing L-plates to the family car

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"Learning the Ropes: Novice Driver on a London Street" In this bustling city, LCC-LFB learner drivers navigate the busy streets with caution, proudly displaying their L plates. Meanwhile, GLC-LFB junior firemen take to the roads in their training vehicles, honing their skills for future emergencies. The iconic British motorcycle culture is not left behind as a woman confidently rides her 1950s Triumph motorcycle. Not far away, some of the girls from the Women's Royal Army Corps fearlessly learn to handle motorcycles themselves, breaking stereotypes and embracing new opportunities. In an unexpected twist, British motorcycle road racer Barry Sheene and his girlfriend Stephanie McLean join forces to co-star in an exciting venture. Their passion for speed and love intertwine as they conquer new challenges together. Amidst these tales of learning and adventure, we find school leaver Bryn Owen at just 17 years old proudly riding his Vespa scooter adorned with an astonishing 34 mirrors. A symbol of youthful exuberance and freedom on wheels. Even humor finds its place in our journey through time as we stumble upon comic postcards depicting a man pushing a pram with triplets or seeking protection while rollerskating in early 20th-century settings. These lighthearted moments remind us that laughter can be found even amidst life's lessons. From novice drivers to fearless riders, learners have always been at the heart of progress and growth. They embrace challenges head-on while paving their own paths towards success – whether it be conquering busy streets or mastering new skills on two wheels. So let us celebrate these learners who dare to embark on journeys unknown; they are shaping our world one lesson at a time.