In 1888, automobiles were still in their infancy, but Germany had already issued a license, the so-called Gleit, which is considered to be the first driver’s license in the world. It was given to Karl Benz and authorized him to use his own self-winding movements.
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In Czech territory, he owned a similar license to the first Theodor von Liebieg in Liberec, when he brought his first car for Christmas in 1893.
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The first driving school under the wings of the Laurin & Klement car company.
Photo: Škoda Auto
The Austro-Hungarian authorities at the time approached the cards by checking whether the machine in the hands of its user was a dangerous environment, because there was still a great fear of internal combustion and the threat of explosion.
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In 1900, an exam called “provisional provisions on driving automobiles and motorized bicycles on public roads” began to be taken on Czech territory.
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The test was supervised by a certified inspector, usually a person who had experience with steam boilers. Teaching was not carried out, it was enough to safely control the car with which the license applicant showed up.
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However, Václav Klement, himself a holder and successful graduate of the exam, which he passed in 1906 with the examination commissioner for the Kingdom of the Czech Republic, Theodor Skulina, did not agree with such conditions.
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But Klement knew that his Laurin & Klement car company would need its own, thoroughly trained drivers, who would know exactly how the car works and how to drive it correctly and safely at a professional level.
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Provisional provisions on the driving of automobiles and motorized bicycles on public roads owned by Václav Klement.
Photo: Škoda Auto
In the summer of 1907, in Mladá Boleslav, graduates of the first driving school in Czech territory, which was directly established by the Laurin & Klement car company, took to the roads. At the same time, the company announced that it would provide motor vehicle owners with a visual introduction to the construction of the vehicle and knowledge of driving. But the company was also able to train professional drivers, who were then called “chauffers”.
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Laurin & Klement even reported on their own driving school in the Sport a hry magazine, where they determined for whom the course was advertised. “Young people in locksmith, mechanical, or related trades find the opportunity to improve themselves as drivers, for whom there will be considerable demand during the automotive boom.”
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The teaching itself was supposed to take place directly in the car factory, “with a sufficient number of training vehicles”. In addition to the theoretical part, emphasis was placed on practice. Those interested were given the opportunity to “learn clearly, gradually and thoroughly about the entire system of gasoline engines, get to know the material used for these organs and acquire knowledge of the care that these organs require”, the text says.
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Graduates of the driving school in Mladá Boleslav.
Photo: Škoda Auto
After 1907, the Laurin & Klement company trained its chauffeurs, who either continued to drive their own cars, or were offered by the company to those who wanted to buy a car but wanted a professional driver. Unfortunately, the exact teaching procedure has not been preserved for years. However, it consisted of driving lessons, a theoretical part about the engine and other techniques, and a practical part where the students got to know running engines.
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