When I finally passed my driving test at the third attempt and returned home clutching my pass with glee, my father immediately took me outside to his car. At this point we proceeded to go through the routine items that needed to be checked on a weekly basis. Tyre pressures, water and coolant levels, oil levels etc.
Once my father was satisfied that I knew what to check, he then went on to teach me how to change a tyre. I was not allowed to drive that or any other car, without being capable of locating all of the relevant tools and also knowing how to change the tyre.

The jack and wheel brace were stored in the boot of the car alongside the spare wheel. I struggled but managed to remove the spare from the boot and then proceeded to jack the car up. Before the wheel had actually lifted from the ground, I loosened the wheel nuts. I went back to elevating the car and once it was off the ground, proceeded to loosen and remove the nuts.

I "manhandled" the wheel off the car, and replaced it with the spare. Replaced the wheel nuts, lowered the car until the wheel was on the ground. Once there I tightened the nuts and finally lowered the car completely and removed the jack.

This process was repeated probably a dozen times until my father was satisfied that I was competent. By this time I was completely exhausted!

I have to say, in over twenty years of driving, I have fortunately never had to put this skill into practice. However, if the need arises, I know how to do it!

Learn more about this author, Linda Oldham.
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