LEARNER driver Charlotte Shotton-Gale was forced to cancel her big test because she was under-age when she passed her theory exam.

The Wootton Bassett School pupil took her written theory test at the Swindon driving centre in Regent Circus in February.

She passed with flying colours after scoring 94 per cent and immediately applied to take her actual driving test.

But officials later realised she was only 16 when she passed her theory test and told her the result was null and void.

She received a telephone call from a man at the Driving Standards Agency on Wednesday telling her the test she had booked just two days later had been cancelled.

The official said she had been too young to take the written exam.

Charlotte, who has been driving in off-road races for several years, said: I feel very disappointed because I asked every official I could, and they said I could take the theory test, even though it was three months until my 17th birthday.

Charlotte, of Trow Lane, Lyneham, now hopes to have her licence within a month, after being told by the DSA that they will give her new theory and practical test dates as quickly as possible.

DSA spokesman Sean Thornton said: What seems to have happened here is that the checks we usually do weren't carried out.

When a provisional driving licence is issued, a leaflet is also issued, saying you can't take your theory test before the age of 17.

Candidates are responsible for making sure they are old enough to take their tests.