Few sitcoms have left an impression quite like Keeping Up Appearances, the beloved British comedy that introduced the world to the unforgettable Hyacinth Bucket (“pronounced Bouquet”). With her grandiose aspirations and relentless attempts to climb the social ladder, Hyacinth’s antics continue to entertain audiences decades after the show first aired.
Among the many classic moments from Season 1, one scene stands out as a perfect example of her over-the-top nature—Hyacinth’s infamous driving lesson disaster.
In this hilarious episode, Hyacinth, ever the determined lady of refinement, insists on giving her long-suffering husband, Richard, a driving lesson. While Richard is usually the one behind the wheel, Hyacinth believes it’s time she takes control—quite literally.
She envisions herself gliding effortlessly through the streets in a manner befitting a woman of her status. The reality, however, is quite different.
From the moment she gets into the driver’s seat, Richard is visibly nervous. And for good reason—Hyacinth’s confidence in her abilities is as misplaced as her belief that she belongs in high society. As she fumbles with the controls, Richard’s grip on his seat tightens.
As Hyacinth revs the engine, she declares with great confidence, “Now, Richard, I shall demonstrate how a lady of quality conducts herself behind the wheel.” Richard barely has time to process this before she lurches forward at an alarming speed, barely missing a group of startled pedestrians.
“Hyacinth! Mind the pavement!” Richard shouts, clutching onto the dashboard for dear life.
Unfazed, Hyacinth huffs, “Richard, I am perfectly in control! These people should know better than to loiter near the road. It is most inconsiderate.”
The pedestrians, meanwhile, scatter in all directions, some diving into bushes to escape Hyacinth’s erratic maneuvering. A woman with a shopping bag glares at them, shaking her head as Richard awkwardly mouths, sorry.
As Hyacinth continues on her graceful drive, the situation escalates when they pass the home of her neighbor Elizabeth and her brother Emmet. Emmet, already terrified of Hyacinth due to her relentless pursuit of social interaction, is out in the garden when he spots the car swerving wildly toward the curb.
Seeing Hyacinth behind the wheel, his face turns pale. He immediately ducks behind the hedge, muttering, “Oh no, she’s driving now!” Elizabeth, sipping her tea, raises an eyebrow.
Hyacinth, of course, is oblivious to the chaos she’s causing. She waves regally at Elizabeth, nearly swerving into a lamppost as she does so. “Oh, look, Richard! Elizabeth and Emmet! Such a pleasant pair, though I do wish Emmet would stop being so shy around me.”
Meanwhile, inside the car, Richard is gripping the seatbelt like it’s his last hope for survival.
The drive reaches its climax when Hyacinth attempts to demonstrate a perfect parallel park outside a posh-looking establishment. Richard, sensing impending doom, braces himself as she misjudges the angle and mounts the curb. In a dramatic screech, the car comes to a halt, narrowly missing a postbox.
A postman, who had been placing letters into the box, jumps back in alarm, clutching his mailbag like a shield. “You can’t park here, love!” he exclaims.
Hyacinth, with the unwavering confidence only she possesses, rolls down the window and replies, “I am parking here. A lady of my refinement knows precisely where to place her vehicle.”
At this moment, the car—still in gear—slowly rolls forward again. Richard scrambles to yank the handbrake while the postman takes a hasty step back.
Finally, as silence falls, Richard lets out a long, exasperated sigh. “Hyacinth… perhaps driving isn’t for you.”
Hyacinth, adjusting her hat with dignity, replies, “Nonsense, Richard. I think I showed remarkable poise under pressure. A lesser woman would have panicked.”
As they exit the car, Richard is visibly shaken, while Hyacinth walks with the composure of a woman who has just conquered a great challenge. Across the street, Emmet peers from behind a hedge, ensuring that the coast is clear before daring to step out.
The postman, still wary, watches them go before shaking his head. “That’s it, I’m transferring routes.”
As they walk away, Hyacinth is already making plans for another lesson. “Next time, Richard, I think we should practice driving through the town square. A woman of my standing should know how to navigate important civic spaces.”
Richard groans, realizing there will definitely be a next time.
This scene from Keeping Up Appearances is a perfect example of why the show remains a comedy classic. Hyacinth’s unshakable confidence, Richard’s weary patience, and the sheer chaos of her misguided attempts at refinement make for an unforgettable viewing experience.
While her character may have been obsessed with keeping up appearances, moments like these prove that no matter how hard she tried, Hyacinth could never truly hide the disaster that followed her everywhere.
And that’s exactly why we love her.
