Oh dear, I have ruffled a few of Peter Laidler's feathers over my driving abilities and my views on roads, whether they are dangerous or not (Oxford Mail, October 10).

I will explain how I, absolutely and above board, obtained my heavy goods (Class 1) driving licence.

Mr Laidler admitted that he was exempt by virtue of his employer quantifying his experience in a written statement, after which a 'new' licence was issued.

This is how I went from a push-bike to a HGV driver after passing the HGV test first go. After my demob from National Service in 1953, I worked as a goods porter for British Railways, then after a while, they asked me if I would fancy being a HGV driver.

I was apprehensive as I had only ever been on the road on a bike.

I agreed and in September, 1958, I went to the British Rail HGV training establishment at Taplow, Berkshire, where budding HGV drivers spend three weeks of intensive HGV tuition.

This establishment has a record of 90 per cent first-time passes. I was one of them.

After a few years, I left British Railways and worked for the then Morris Motors' transport department.

At that time, there were no vacancies on the 'heavies' so I spent two years on the van section.

Then, because my HGV licence had expired, I had to go to the HGV establishment at Culham to retake the test to get the licence, passing easily again.

So there you have it - no escaping through the net, no loopholes, just straight bona fide facts.

ROY THOMAS Woodlands Park Radley