Driving tests and dual citizenship: my conversation with rock legend Suzi Quatro
Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast
The Independent
3.6 • 628 Ratings
🗓️ 15 April 2026
⏱️ 6 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Today's podcast is rather different from usual. For the first time, I am talking about driving tests but not any driving test. This one involves the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll – Suzi Quatro – who has been on the road, and on the roads for almost 60 years.
This year, though she was told she must take a British driving test. Susie has also become a British national. And Tonight she is playing the London Palladium.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | I have L plates on my Mercedes, and I can't tell you how that burns me. |
| 0:06.5 | I don't mind the theory test. |
| 0:08.7 | I don't mind the driving test. |
| 0:10.3 | I don't mind having to get a UK license. |
| 0:13.8 | I seriously mind them making me put L plates on my car when I am not a learner driver. I have been driving since I've been |
| 0:23.1 | 16. I'm 75. Hello and welcome to today's independent travel podcast with me, Simon called her. |
| 0:29.8 | It's Wednesday the 15th of April. And a slightly unusual start to today's podcast. |
| 0:38.0 | That's because I am talking to the Queen of Rock and Roll. |
| 0:42.5 | She is Susie Quattro, legendary songwriter, but more particularly bass player and singer. |
| 0:51.8 | You may remember some of her many hits, such as Devilgate Drive and Can the Can. |
| 0:58.9 | She is playing tonight at the London Palladium. It seems to be almost sold out but you may be able |
| 1:06.7 | to get a ticket. Susie, meanwhile, has been telling me about an extraordinary situation where |
| 1:14.3 | she's been driving perfectly safely for 60 years, and yet she has now, to her considerable |
| 1:23.0 | displeasure, been told, you're back to being being a learner and you've got to wear those |
| 1:29.7 | oil plates on your Mercedes. |
| 1:32.8 | Susie, apparently, you are taking driving lessons? |
| 1:36.7 | You've got to take a driving test. |
| 1:38.2 | Tell me what's happened. |
| 1:39.3 | I'm not taking driving lessons. |
| 1:41.0 | I'm making sure that I pass my test. |
| 1:43.2 | I've been in this country since |
| 1:44.6 | 1971. I've always used my American license, and you used to have to get a international |
... |
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