Belinda has finally got the green light

After 350 lessons and 20 failed tests over five years Belinda Harrell has finally heard the words "You've passed".

The lessons have cost her and her husband about �6,000, but at last she can drive her car without someone telling her what to do.

When Belinda was told she had passed she said it was worth every penny.

Hit accelerator

She said: "When she said to me I'd passed I took my glasses off and burst into tears."

"When we just sat in the test centre and she said turn the engine off and I'll just be a minute I thought I'd failed on my three point turn."

Belinda blamed stress and nerves for notching up so many failed tests.

She added: "I drive well when I'm with my instructor or with my husband, but as soon as a chap or lady gets in with a board I feel as though I'm on show."

Once she even failed before she left the test centre after hitting the accelerator instead of the brake.

Belinda is now looking forward to going it alone on the open roads, and told BBC News Online it was worth all the stress to get her independence.