Nicola Sturgeon, 52, is in the 'early stages' of learning to drive

Nicola Sturgeon, 52, is in the ‘early stages’ of learning to drive as she prepares to step aside as First Minister after years of being chauffeur driven around

• Nicola Sturgeon has started to learn to drive as she steps down as First Minister
• Tomorrow, her successor and next First Minister is expected to be announced 

Outgoing First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon is in the ‘early stages’ of learning to drive.

The SNP leader has been behind the wheel as she gets ready for the ‘next phase of life’.

Ms Sturgeon is preparing to stand down as First Minister this week after more than eight years in the job.

Her successor is expected to be unveiled tomorrow as Humza Yousaf, and Kate Forbes head to a vote among SNP members.

The First Minister recently said she was looking forward to having a ‘lie-in’ when she steps down.

Outgoing Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been learning to drive ahead of her departure this week. Pictured: Ms Sturgeon sitting in a Midge car in 2017

Ms Sturgeon’s successor and the next First Minister of Scotland is set to be announced tomorrow. Pictured: Ms Sturgeon sitting in a Midge car in 2017

A friend has also said that she has taken up driving lessons to prepare her for civilian life after years on the front line of politics.

Ricky Bell told the BBC’s Nicola Sturgeon podcast that she was just beginning to learn.

He said: ‘Anyone who knows Nicola knows she has been signalling for a wee while she was likely to go.

‘And I think the big thing was she said she was taking driving lessons.

‘You don’t need driving lessons if you are going to be chauffeur driven about as the First Minister.’

He added: ‘She said to me many years ago she didn’t want to sit her driving test in case she failed, because up until that point in her life she had never failed an exam.’

Ms Sturgeon told the podcast the driving lessons are ‘in the early stages’.

She said getting behind the wheel is about ‘achieving a bit of personal freedom that I have chosen not to have to the same extent’ while pursuing a political career.

‘It’s just part and parcel of the next phase of life,’ Ms Sturgeon added.

The Nicola Sturgeon Podcast will be available from Monday March 27 – the same day the new SNP leader is announced.

Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes and former community safety minister Ash Regan are all hoping to be the next SNP leader – and therefore Scotland’s sixth first minister.

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