Sunderland twins pass driving tests just two hours apart

Cole and Connor Badger from Sunderland passed their test two hours apart from each other and had the same examiner, having started their lessons on the same day.

Their driving instructor decided the 17-year-olds were both ready to take their tests at the same time so made them book it for the same day so one couldn't say they passed first.

Mum Dawn Tempest, 49, was concerned one of her boys would fail when she found out the tests were on the same day.

But oldest twin Cole, who took his test first, got six minors while Connor got four of them in his driving test.

The identical pair celebrate passing their driving tests. (Image: SWNS)

Now they've passed their tests, the boys  - are now both trying to save up for their first cars.

Connor said: "It's good that we have both managed to pass on the same day.

"There is no pressure on either one of us to sit more tests knowing the other doesn't have to.

"There are not too many people who can say they passed on the same day as their identical twin."

Cole added: "We will be able to tell our kids about it when they start learning to drive. 

"I thought we would both pass.

The twins' dad Simon says people often struggle to tell them apart. (Image: SWNS)

"We both had been doing well in our lessons so it was just doing it on the day."

The identical twins say they were a 'little bit nervous' before their test - but were more concerned about not being able to watch football. 

Connor said: "I was a little bit nervous but tried to stay calm and focused. 

"My driving instructor told me I had nothing to worry about and if I just drive like I had been doing in my lessons, then it will be a doddle. 

"I was more nervous about doing my GCSE exams."

Cole added: "I was a little nervous but it helped going first. 

"I was more worried about not being late to go to the match."

Stepdad Simon Hunter, 48, says him and Dawn are 'amazingly proud' of the boys for passing their tests.

He said: "Because they had their tests on the same day, we thought we might have one fail and one pass or both fail and then there's the expense of doing it again. 

"But they both drove really well and they both passed.

"Me and their mam are amazingly proud - we feel like they are now at the very start of their working life."

Simon says the two brothers have always been in-sync with each other and people sometimes struggle to tell them apart when they meet them for the first time. 

Oldest twin Cole, who took his test first, got six minors while Connor got four of them in his driving test. (Image: SWNS)

Simon, of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, said: "They've always done things at the same time.

"When they were very little, everything was the same. 

"Dawn tried to not dress them the same though, because it was a nightmare for people to tell them apart.

"People who know them don't struggle to tell them apart, like their friends who have grown up with them.

"But people who meet them for the first time have that moment.

"One woman used to call them 'Cole-Connor' and 'Connor-Cole' because she was never guaranteed to get the right one."

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Simon added finding a car insurance deal is proving an expensive task for the lads.

He added: "Connor has been looking at cars and he's getting insurance quotes for around £5,000 which is just ridiculous.

"You can look at smaller cars but they are both very tall, so they don't want a Fiat 500 like their sister.

"They are looking and we go on holiday in a couple of weeks, so they are going to spend their time scouring the internet for cars."