The Lives They Live

Tales of a veteran driving tester

While the pioneer political leaders were the original architects of modern Singapore, everyday heroes helped build the society. This is a story of one such person in the series, The Lives They Live.

Mr Richard Quek, who put on his old uniform for the photo, was a driving tester for over 30 years. The retired Chief Tester of Traffic Police advises those taking the driving test to keep calm and treat the tester like he is the instructor, adding: "
Mr Richard Quek, who put on his old uniform for the photo, was a driving tester for over 30 years. The retired Chief Tester of Traffic Police advises those taking the driving test to keep calm and treat the tester like he is the instructor, adding: "Driving testers are not out to fail candidates." ST PHOTOS: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Mr Richard Quek, who put on his old uniform for the photo, was a driving tester for over 30 years. The retired Chief Tester of Traffic Police advises those taking the driving test to keep calm and treat the tester like he is the instructor, adding: "
Mr Quek looking at a photo of himself in his 30s. He started out at the Registry of Vehicles in 1965 and became a driving examiner in 1975. ST PHOTOS: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Mr Richard Quek, who put on his old uniform for the photo, was a driving tester for over 30 years. The retired Chief Tester of Traffic Police advises those taking the driving test to keep calm and treat the tester like he is the instructor, adding: "
Mr Quek's driving licence. He had Class 3 and Class 4 driving licences for cars and lorries when he became a tester, and obtained the Class 2 motorcycle and Class 5 heavy vehicle licences in 1976. ST PHOTOS: ARIFFIN JAMAR
Toh Yong Chuan
Assistant News Editor
Updated
Mar 09, 2018, 12:10 PM
Published
Mar 07, 2018, 05:00 AM
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A heavily-tattooed man trembled at the sight of Mr Richard Quek, and so did a steady-handed surgeon.

Some begged him to give them another chance. Others cried.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 07, 2018, with the headline Tales of a veteran driving tester . Subscribe

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