Drivers do a double-take as teenage trucker Rachel hits the road

A TEENAGE girl has become one of the youngest lorry drivers in the country after getting an HGV licence a year after passing her driving test.

By The Newsroom

Published 26th Nov 2010, 20:27 BST

Updated 26th Nov 2010, 20:27 BST

Rachel Hutchinson, 19, now drives a 44-tonne truck for her parents' haulage firm and is getting used to life on the open road.

"When I'm driving on the roads people often laugh when they see me in the cab because they're not expecting a 5ft 7ins blonde girl behind the wheel," said Rachel, of South Cave, near Hull.

"Men in vans do a double-take, and others give me a wave, a wink or a beep. But people are always really helpful to me."

She added: "I do get nervous when I turn up at some places and have to reverse in small places. But they offer to guide me in and help me out. Most people know me now so I'm just like everybody else."