The Master Driver RCT was first appointed in 1971. They were then the Regimental Trade Training Warrant Officer working in the unit training wing or employed at the old ASMT Borden.

With the introduction of the Road Traffic Act (RTA) 1972, (a major phase of legislation, which included the first HGV licenses), it brought a greater demand from All Arms units for specialist transport expertise to be made available to them. This of course resulted in a vast increase in the number of driving tests required by All Arms units and therefore a need for a specialist to provide suitable training and testing advice, to both themselves and the several hundred newly qualified testing officers (QTO).

The Master Driver was clearly seen as the person to fulfil this need, he was subsequently moved out of the training wing environment and into the RCT Regimental Headquarters. You can imagine the burden of work which was placed overnight on the poor old Regimental Training WO, bless him. At this time the Master Driver course was in its infancy and only 3 weeks in duration. Questions were being asked as to whether or not the course met the needs required.

During the period 1972 -1979 Master Drivers were to receive the notoriety as the would be architects of building such monstrosities as “Tin Cites” which were to become an integral part of RCT Roulement units OP BANNER training. Being experienced builders these structures would invariably collapse within a week or so. As a result of this the Master Drivers were often viewed as the “spare” WO within the units and given vital tasks such as organising the Squadron BBQ or party etc...  At the same time non RCT units were beginning to make ever increasing demands upon the MDs time and efforts.

In 1977 matters finally came to a head, resulting in the Training Development and Logistic Team (TDLT) being tasked to conduct a study into the MD situation.  Having reported their findings things gradually started to change.  These changes were to hasten dramatically during 1981/82 when the national press was to report a number of improprieties within the Army’s licensing and testing system. (Master Drivers were not involved in these fraudulent acts).  The ramifications of this enabled the MD to be given greater responsibility in the management of the Army Licensing Authority(ALA). The Master Drivers course was now increased to 7 weeks duration.  This brings us to the present day, where the MD can be seen to be knowledgeable, efficient and well motivated in the Army MT and Transport Management field.