WAS he going to hit my parked car, I wondered as we hurtled backwards out of the drive. He didn't - missing it by a good six inches, then selecting a forward gear to leave the quiet Wimborne street where he lives.

I made sure my will was in good order before leaving home that day - knowing I was going to be putting my life in the hands of 100-year-old driver.

But Tom Soulby, who has been relishing all the media attention provoked by the reinstatement of his licence, proved a surprisingly assertive and confident driver.

He approached roundabouts without slowing down if it was clear but was well able to handle a last-moment braking if something approached out of nowhere, without even throwing me through the windscreen.

Tom, who's been around motorbikes, cars and planes since he was a teenager, was very aware of other road users and "read the road" well, anticipating possible hazards - mostly.

He judged distances well - for example, boldly driving at a gap between an open door on one side of the road and a moving car on the other. I would have crept up to it and left more space - I think it's a girl thing.

When I complimented him on his fine judgement, he said: "Well, I have been driving for 82 years."

At no point did my arms go over my head, my brake foot through the floor and I didn't scream once.

But I was a little uneasy as we drifted on to the right-hand side of the road on a blind bend on a country road which had no white line down the middle.

It could have been dodgy if something had been coming the other way.

But fortune smiled on us and we both survived.

I noticed a red light on the dashboard - was there a problem with the oil?

No - it was because he didn't have his seatbelt on.

"That was the photographer distracting me when I was manoeuvring," he said. "I always wear my seat belt."

One thing I did miss on my drive with Tom was the constant commentary I've noticed in other male drivers.

Tom did not offer unsolicited advice to other motorists at all. He did not shout or swear at anyone he considered to be lacking in the skill.

And, although he was quite nippy himself, he did not fume or froth at the mouth when he got stuck behind anyone who was keeping to the speed limit.

What a refreshing change.

First published: August 19