Creating a safe space for anyone to get behind the wheel

Driving scheme offers the opportunity to try driving for those who may not be able, or feel ready, to drive on the road, from age 10 upwards

When you were 17 did you excitedly book your first driving lesson on the day of your birthday? Or were you nervous and kept putting it off? Or maybe you were never able to learn to drive for one reason or another?

If you have a child who is neurodivergent, it can be difficult to know if driving will be a skill they take to. But it’s one of the things Young Driver feels very passionate about – everyone should be able to try driving, if they want to.

Young Driver’s aim is to become the UK’s most inclusive provider of driving lessons and it wants to get the message out there that it is possible for almost anyone to give learning to drive a try – even if they might not ever be able to drive on a real road.

The scheme has delivered more than 1.3 million lessons since it launched in 2009, and it now operates at 70 venues across the UK, which are all on private land. Anyone aged 10 and upwards can have a lesson with them, as long as they meet the minimum height requirement of 1.42m. Adapted vehicles are available in some locations for children with physical disabilities. Because lessons take place on private property the scheme is suitable for anyone who either isn't allowed or doesn’t feel able to have lessons on the road, whatever their age. Pupils could have additional needs, may never be able to drive on the roads or may want to build up their confidence first.

Youngsters get behind the wheel of a real dual controlled car, such as a Vauxhall Corsa, with a fully qualified instructor. Pupils learn to brake, steer, change gear, tackle roundabouts and traffic lights and even parallel park – all great fun but it’s also helping them become a safer driver (they don’t even need to know that!). Research actually shows that Young Driver past pupils have an 84% reduction in accident rate in the dangerous first six month after passing their test.

Learning to drive isn’t just about passing your test

Learning to drive is about more than just learning a set of skills to pass a test. It’s about building confidence and a sense of achievement. It’s about having something in common with your peers. It’s about independence. Even if a learner knows they might not ever drive on the road, it’s important that they have the opportunity to experience what it’s like, if that’s something they’re keen to do.

Sue Waterfield, head of marketing at Young Driver, said: “We have many autistic pupils, aged 10 and upwards, who come to us and parents usually inform us so our instructors can adapt lessons accordingly, if needed.

One of the great things about Young Driver is that because it’s held on private property the rules of the road don’t apply in the same way. So, it’s possible for people who are very nervous or unsure if they’ll take to it, or who may even know they would never be able to drive on the road, to come and give it a go. As an example, we have taught blind people before, who wanted to experience what it was like behind the wheel, although obviously they could never drive on the roads.

“We have several regional autism groups who regularly plan trips for their members, as well as families who come back month after month. The lessons remove that pressure of having to try controlling a vehicle in real traffic - everything can be done at a speed (literally and figuratively) that suits the learner. It’s a very safe and calm way to give driving a go and it can be a brilliant confidence boost for someone to experience that thrill of being in control of a vehicle.”

For more information go to www.youngdriver.com.

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