Hopeless driver Bev Baldwin has failed her test eight times, on the last attempt colliding with a parked milk float, to the dismay of loser husband Ian. At the suggestion of work colleague Gerry she enrols at his mistress Fiona's driving school and is taught by the shy, lonely Chris who gives her confidence so that her driving improves.
But when Ian is made redundant and cannot afford more lessons he resumes teaching her and the old faults come back so she steals from her daughter's school trip fund to pay for more lessons. Her next test goes brilliantly - until she sees Ian and goes to pieces when he tries to stop the car.
Ultimately she passes at her tenth attempt after her driving has averted a domestic crisis and paved the way for an upturn in the family finances whilst Fiona, realising that she is being used by Gerry, gets it together with Chris.