Motoring Correspondent Tanya Gold’s Driving Trials and Triumphs

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 12, 2026

Tanya Gold struggled to learn driving at age 40, failing her test six times before passing on her seventh attempt, and later faced issues with a used car that was undisclosed as written off by the seller. Her challenges eventually led her to a career as a motoring correspondent for Vogue, turning a difficult start into a new professional opportunity.

Tanya Gold, a motoring correspondent who began learning to drive at the age of 40, has shared her experiences with the challenges and frustrations of becoming a new driver later in life. Motivated by the practical need to transport her infant child, Gold’s initial foray behind the wheel was marked by anxiety. During her first driving lesson, she reacted with a scream when another vehicle unexpectedly approached, underscoring her apprehension.

Gold’s path to obtaining a driving license was protracted; she failed her test multiple times before ultimately passing on her seventh attempt. Reflecting on the experience, she remembers becoming familiar with one particular test examiner named Dave, who notably became her favorite.

After finally securing her driving license, Gold purchased a used Vauxhall Corsa. She later discovered that the vehicle had previously been written off—a fact the selling garage had not disclosed, as she did not specifically inquire. The car proved unreliable, frequently stalling on major roads such as the A30. She spent £5,000 on the vehicle but faced a steep depreciation when reselling it just three months later, receiving an offer of only £250 from a car-buying service. This discrepancy left her feeling both angry and powerless.

In response to this personal setback, Gold pursued a career as a motoring correspondent for Vogue magazine, a move she describes as a form of “revenge” against the experience with the Corsa. She had initially fantasized about driving an Aston Martin DB11 past the dealership responsible for selling her the problematic vehicle. Practical considerations about the garage’s narrow location, coupled with concerns about maintaining the condition of the luxury car, prevented her from carrying out this gesture.

Despite the difficulties, Gold notes that her engagement with motoring journalism provided a positive outcome from her challenging experiences as a late-start driver, offering new professional opportunities and insights that compensated for the frustrations of her early driving years.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.