The 21-year-old was granted her license earlier this month after receiving lessons for the last 12 months and completing 50 hours of driving.

Angela's mother, Elaine Birkbeck, is elated at her daughter's achievement. "She's a good little driver. I'm very proud of her," Ms Birkbeck said.

Angela received lessons from Tamworth driving instructor Lee Jackson. "Angela is the first hearing-impaired student I've had," Ms Jackson said.

For the first two lessons, Angela had an interpreter to assist in the communication between Lee and herself during her lessons.

"By the end of it, we had learnt our own sign language," Ms Jackson said.

"It was a challenge for both of us but also very rewarding."

"Lee was a very good instructor," Angela said. "I am very thankful for her patience."

Angela is 10 to 15 per cent hearing impaired in both ears and relies heavily on her other senses when driving.

"She's got great senses because she doesn't have her hearing to fall back on," Mrs Birkbeck said.

By Tamworth News
http://tamworth.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=local&story_id=447846&category=General%20News&m=12&y=2005