Eric’s remarkable journey as a driver began at the age of thirteen when he got behind the wheel of a three-ton truck after leaving school. He has been a dedicated driver for the past 87 years, navigating everything from motorcycles to double-decker buses. Eric’s love of driving has remained steadfast throughout his life as he fondly remembers his early days behind the wheel and the thrill of exploring the open road. Despite reaching the impressive milestone of 100 years, Eric shows no signs of slowing down and continues to embrace his passion for driving with unwavering enthusiasm. His resilience and determination serve as an inspiration, challenging stereotypes about age and proving that one is never too old to pursue one’s passions. As Eric celebrates his centenary and reflects on his life behind the wheel, his story reminds us of the joy and freedom that driving can bring, regardless of age.
Eric started driving a three-ton truck at the age of thirteen after leaving school and has been a driver for 87 years.
Since then, he hasn’t really left the open road, doing anything from riding motorcycles to driving double-decker buses.
Eric declares, “I love it. I’ve always loved driving, even when I started a different hobby.”
“That’s what I learned to do when I was very young.
According to Eric, there’s nothing he can’t do now that he can’t do in his 60s.
He has no trouble tending to his immaculate garden, washing the windows, or even getting up to clean the gutters at his Sturry Road cottage.
Until last year, when the owners of the house feared he would walk on the ground, he traveled to Devon to board.
“They care more about my age than what I can do,” he claims.
Surveys show that people give up driving at an average age of 75.
Meanwhile, the DVLA is receiving an increasing number of complaints from those concerned about a driver’s fitness to drive. The number increased by 82% from the previous year to 48,754 in 2022.
But it wasn’t until he was ninety-four that Eric began to wonder if he should continue driving.
On ITV, he watched a 100-year-old driving school follow drivers aged 90 and over as they undergo tests under the supervision of examiners.
“I was damn sure I was better than them,” he continues.
But then I started to wonder if it was just me believing that I was better than I really was.
“Some of them shouldn’t be driving and they were the ones who made me think hard about myself.
Road users are responsible for determining whether they are fit enough to drive and there is no legal age limit at which they must give up the habit.
Drivers need only renew their licenses with the DVLA every three years; they expire when the holder reaches 70 years of age.
But Eric just wanted to calm down. He appeared at the Thanington test center in 2017 after applying for a government-sanctioned assessment.
Eric says, “The driving instructor came and looked at me.” “Are you Mr. Dixon?” he asked.
“I told him I did and he expected me to have a walking stick because I was 94.
During the assessment, the nurse physically examined Eric and asked about his health.
Because it “contained a lot more” than previous driving tests, he claims this was the toughest he had ever done. Still, it received a “10 out of 10”.
As tensions rose in pre-World War II London in 1937, Eric secured his first job.
“All the men were drafted, and if you could do the job, your age didn’t bother them,” he recalls.
At the height of the Blitz, he took a job in a wood yard before following a station officer’s fire engine on a small 250cc motorcycle to join the London Fire Brigade.
“Wherever he went, he would write messages and I would take them back to the station,” he continues.
When he was fifteen he got a job at Pickford’s hauler, where he took driving lessons and delivered parcels as he was self-taught.
“On my 17th birthday, I passed my driving test and went out on my own in a truck,” he recalls.
“I was drafted at 18 and had to pass three driving tests, one for heavy equipment and one for trailers.
“A fortnight after leaving the army I was so bored that in 1947 I got a job with the East Kent Road Car Company, a big bus company, where I was for 37 years.”
After three years working as a double-decker bus driver, he was transferred to the Continental Division, where he remained for more than twenty years.
Without a map or directions, Eric claims he could drive from Kent to any major city in Europe.
Before retiring in 1984, he oversaw the heavy recovery unit during his last years at the company.
Eric has also shown no signs of slowing down and his love for driving is still unwavering despite his decision to quit his job.
After rustling a birthday card on the adjacent shelf, he pulls down a framed picture of the Skoda he’s owned for thirteen years.
In addition, although it did not last long, he bought his first Kia Picanto in the fall of last year.
“We went to Mole Country Stores in Canterbury, parked in the bay, and walked for 10 minutes,” he says.
“I was approached by a supervisor who informed me that an articulated truck had hit him.
“It put a couple of big dents in the body and it was a write-off.
Still, he was able to buy a newer model vehicle and he likes it.
Eric claims he only had points on his driving license due to an incident in which he parked on winding roads in London during the 1940s.
When he was a bus driver in his younger years, he didn’t cause a minor collision.
“There was always plenty of civility and that was one thing that was drilled into me when I was learning to drive,” he says when asked how the roads have changed over the years.
Today, morals no longer exist.
“Canterbury traffic is getting worse and busier.
“The potholes are the worst they’ve ever been.”
Eric’s health is quite good. He is not visited by carers and does not use a walking stick.
He declares, “I don’t take any medication.”
“During the war, I survived on sacks of fruit and vegetables that a young man gave me. If you hadn’t, you would have starved.”
Eric celebrated his 100th birthday last Sunday, which he described as “absolutely brilliant”.
After receiving his card from the king and queen, he admits that he has too much cake.
The two most memorable moments in Eric’s life, he said, were meeting his wife, Christine, who died of cancer in 1988, and Margaret, his current companion of 14 years and neighbor.
Eric and Margaret do each other’s laundry; Eric makes white clothes and Margaret makes colorful clothes for the two bungalows.
But what is the key to finding love later in life?
“With younger people, s*x comes into it – but obviously not with us,” Eric says with a smile.
“You have to learn how to receive and give.
The secret to success is not trying to control each other.”
In conclusion, Eric’s remarkable journey as a driver spanning nearly nine decades is a testament to his passion for the open road and his unwavering determination. Eric’s love of driving remained constant throughout his life, from driving heavy vehicles during World War II to driving double-decker buses and motorcycles. Despite reaching the age of 100, Eric continues to defy expectations and remain active behind the wheel, embodying the spirit of independence and resilience. His story serves as an inspiration and reminds us that age should not be a barrier to pursuing our passions and enjoying life to the fullest. As Eric reflects on his life’s journey, he emphasizes the importance of love, acceptance, and mutual respect, highlighting the key to finding happiness and fulfillment at any stage of life.