Great-Grandmother Becomes Italy's Oldest New Driver

| Fri, 02/18/2011 - 02:10

Tired of having to rely on rides from others, Miranda Brigiotti has become Italy’s oldest novice driver. The 88-year-old received her first license this week.

Brigiotti spent most of her life abroad, living in major international cities that had good public transportation systems. When she moved to Calambrone, a small seaside village in Pisa, she found it difficult to navigate without a car.

The feisty great-grandmother did not adjust well to having to wait for others to drive her around, so she took matters into her own hands and enrolled in driving school.

Italy’s notoriously tricky theoretical section of the driving test is administered electronically, so before learning to drive, Brigiotti had to learn how to use a computer.

Despite all of the technological and logistical challenges, Brigiotti was able to fulfill all of the requirements to be issued a license. The 88-year-old’s driving instructor says she has excellent skills on the road, but the theoretical test took more than one try to pass.

"It's true I was rejected,” she told reporters proudly, “but I studied more and eventually I made it."

With perseverance, Miranda Brigiotti received her license, and the distinction of becoming Italy’s oldest first-time driver.

Location