A history of the driving test

Motorists were obliged to take a driving test from June 1 1935. 

However the test was suspended for the duration of the 1939-45 war before being reintroduced on November 1 1946.

It was suspended again during the Suez crisis when learners were briefly allowed to drive unaccompanied.

Up until 1975 learner drivers had to demonstrate their ability to use hand signals.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/news/8762972/A-history-of-the-driving-test.html