Nicola Sturgeon in the ‘early stages’ of learning how to drive

The outgoing SNP leader said she is taking driving lessons as she prepares for the ‘next phase’ of her life.
Outgoing Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has revealed she is in the ‘early stages’ of learning how to drive. (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Katrine Bussey26 March 2023
WEST END FINAL

Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice.

Nicola Sturgeon is in the “early stages” of learning to drive as she prepares to stand aside as Scottish First Minister.

The outgoing SNP leader described the move as being “part and parcel of the next phase of life”.

It comes as she prepares to leave office after more than eight years at the helm of the Scottish Government.

Friend Ricky Bell said the lessons are a signal Ms Sturgeon is preparing for life after being First Minister.

You don't need driving lessons if you are going to be chauffeur driven about as the First Minister

Ricky Bell, friend of Nicola Sturgeon

Speaking to the BBC’s Nicola Sturgeon Podcast, he said: “Anyone who knows Nicola knows she has been signalling for a wee while she was likely to go.

“And I think the big thing was she said she was taking driving lessons.

“You don’t need driving lessons if you are going to be chauffeur driven about as the First Minister.”

He added: “She said to me many years ago she didn’t want to sit her driving test in case she failed, because up until that point in her life she had never failed an exam.”

Ms Sturgeon told the podcast the driving lessons are “in the early stages”.

She said getting behind the wheel is about “achieving a bit of personal freedom that I have chosen not to have to the same extent” while pursuing a political career.

“It’s just part and parcel of the next phase of life,” Ms Sturgeon added.

The Nicola Sturgeon Podcast will be available from Monday March 27 – the same day the new SNP leader is announced.

Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and former community safety minister Ash Regan are all hoping to be the next SNP leader – and therefore Scotland’s sixth first minister.

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in