A PENSIONER who owned a provisional licence for 45 years was celebrating after finally passing his driving test.

Retired dock worker Kevin Daly (75), admitted he was thrilled when he passed his driving exam this week — and was finally able to apply for his full driving licence.

It is believed that Mr Daly — who has 20 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren — was the longest-standing driver to have been driving using a provisional licence in the State.

The highlight of the entire event for Mr Daly was finally being able to tear up the L-plates which have been mounted on his car for decades.

“To be honest, I thought if I didn’t pass this time then that would be the end of it,” the great-grandfather from Cork city explained.

“But I was absolutely over the moon when I heard that I had passed — it was a fantastic feeling,” he said.

Mr Daly, who had failed several previous driving tests, was concerned that the introduction of tough new regulations for provisional licence holders would make it virtually impossible for him to secure a full licence.

But following his success, he is now encouraging other drivers on provisional licences to follow his example and sit tests.