Several years ago, back when I used to publish posts more regularly, we were given the opportunity to review Young Driver driving lessons. Our older daughter was only 10 at the time and I don't think it's something we would have naturally considered at that age, but when we were approached and she was excited by the idea, we thought it was worth seeing what they were all about.
You can read that old review post of mine by tapping here: Young Driver experience - Review. As a quick summary, I can tell you that our eldest thoroughly enjoyed it back then and we ended up booking her a couple more lessons after that.
Eight years on from that, I found myself booking another lesson with Young Driver, for our younger daughter. I wasn't asked to write a review this time but I wanted to, because the whole experience was great and I think it's something that could help other families with neurodivergent children like ours.
Sasha turned 17 this summer and learning to drive is something that many teenagers tend to do from this age. It's one of those aspects of life that is called a 'rite of passage'. I didn't expect Sasha to ever drive a car if I'm honest - not because I didn't believe she could learn, but mainly because she has been saying for the last couple of years that she didn't want to. But in the middle of the summer term, an email popped into my inbox reminding me that a local charity helps arrange driving lessons for autistic teenagers at a special off-road site. I casually mentioned this to Sasha in passing and she suddenly showed a flicker of interest. So I signed her up, but as the date approached (at the end of the summer term) she had a big wobble and knew that she wasn't ready for it. I had to cancel (but I knew these lessons were highly sought after so I hoped a replacement would be found).
Just a couple of weeks later, talk of driving cropped up again. Sasha had had a couple of weeks to relax after the end of term and thought she might actually be ready to give it a go. I'm not sure what triggered the memory but I suddenly thought about how we had tried Young Driver for our eldest, and when I looked them up online I noticed that they had added an off-road site to their listings that was nearer our house (we'd had to travel a bit further when our eldest had her lessons).
When I called the Young Driver Customer Service team before booking a lesson I was impressed with how friendly and helpfully they answered all my queries. I knew that we needed to be prepared, and to prepare them for what would help our highly anxious daughter learn best. So I asked what the course was like, whether we could guarantee her learning in an automatic car, and if we could know who the instructor could be. The automatic car was a choice we made - I know traditionally most parents want their children to learn to drive a manual transmission as it is considered a better life skill, but these days so many cars are automatic anyway and my thinking was why make learning more complicated for Sasha? It still seems to be quite difficult to find driving instructors who use automatic cars but thankfully with Young Driver this option was possible and very simple to book as a separate choice on the website.
The instructor info was not possible to have in advance but that's understandable as they may use different rotas depending on staff availability. What I thought was brilliant was that there is a place to add notes with your booking on the website, and as we found out when we arrived on the day, all instructors are given a briefing beforehand and these notes are talked through.
Sasha was adamant that she wanted me to be in the car with her as she learnt, and although many children go alone (even the very young ones, like our eldest daughter was when she did this at the age of 10), Young Driver didn't have a problem with me sitting in the back of the car for the whole lesson. I tried to keep totally quiet while I was in there, but there were just two occasions where the instructions were not quite as clear as our girl needed ("go right then stay left" being one of them, oops) and I could see Sasha freeze as she was confused. So I did try to briefly expand or reword what the instructor had said - but he was very kind and patient with her, and if I hadn't been there he probably would have tried to reword it himself. Sometimes though, with the kind of high anxiety our daughter has, there's no second chance once she's overwhelmed and I could imagine her sitting there with her head in her hands, unable to listen to any more talking.
Sasha did so well and very quickly mastered the basics of speed and steering. During the lesson she went round a roundabout, made right and left turns, gave way to and even overtook other cars (not at speed, I hasten to add). The lesson ended with her being asked to reverse into a parking space inbetween two other cars... mission accomplished perfectly!
That's why for us, being able to learn on an off-road site was vital. Although there are other cars driving around the course, it's not busy and everyone is a learner in a car with an instructor. This really is the ideal way to learn in a non-pressured environment.
So yes, we have a second lesson already booked, and yes, I would highly recommend Young Driver to everyone else with a young child who is wanting to get behind the wheel - anxious or not!
The following info comes from the Young Driver website: https://www.youngdriver.eu/
Why Choose Young Driver?
Choosing our lessons for young drivers means investing in a safer future for your children and teens. Our early driving lessons have been proven to reduce accidents in new drivers by 80%, thanks to a curriculum focusing on building confidence, understanding and respect for the road. Beyond safety, our sessions are enjoyable and engaging, making them an unforgettable gift that keeps on giving.
Driving lessons for all ages, from 10 to 17+ years old.
A safe, fun and memorable driving adventure in a secure environment.
Proven 80% decrease in accidents in the first years after getting a driving licence.
Young Driver birthday lesson parties for kids and their buddies.
Super exciting and money-saving driving lesson bundles!
Our driving lessons are ideal for young enthusiasts aged 10 to 17 and last from 30 minutes to 1 hour. For our youngest drivers aged 4 to 10, the Firefly lesson offers a thrilling, real-car experience designed just for them. For those 10 and older, we provide comprehensive driving lessons on private land, guaranteeing a head start in driving skills long before they hit the public roads. Each lesson is tailored to the child, ensuring progress at their own pace.
At Young Driver, safety isn’t just a priority; it’s our promise. Each vehicle is equipped with dual controls, and our instructors are seasoned, UK government-approved professionals specialising in teaching young learners. With rigorous safety protocols and a track record of excellence, we ensure every lesson is educational, safe and fun.
Our mission at Young Driver is clear: to create a safer driving future by educating the next generation of drivers from a young age. Through our tailored lessons, we're committed to reducing the number of road accidents and building a community of responsible, skilled drivers. Together, we're not just teaching driving; we're driving change, one lesson at a time. Book the most exciting driving lessons for under 17s today!
There's some more info on the Young Driver website that talks about their inclusive and accessible offering:
YOUNG DRIVER™ operates at venues across the UK, offering driving lessons to youngsters aged 10-17 and those who may not otherwise be able to have them.
Because the lessons take place on private property, the rules are more flexible than on the road. Lessons take place in real, dual controlled cars. At four venues we have automatic vehicles for those who may need them.
We work with many young and older people with a wide range of disabilities, including those who are deaf, blind, have learning difficulties or neurological disorders. Some may never have thought they’d have the opportunity to experience what it is like to drive a car, and some may never be able to drive on the roads. Some of our pupils have been told they will need to wait several years before being able to apply for a provisional license, which can be hard when friends can go ahead and learn. So this gives them an opportunity to see what it’s like for themselves. It can really help build self confidence.
Safety is always the top priority. For those who will go on to eventually drive on the road, the aim of YOUNG DRIVER™ is to create the safest drivers out there, by teaching over an extended period of time, and in a less pressured environment, whilst basic skills are learned. For those who won't be able to take their test, it's a chance to experience something new and learn new skills.
So if you’re looking for specialist driving lessons and experiences for anyone with any sort of additional needs, just get in touch with us here at Young Driver.
Please contact 0333 577 9010 or info@youngdriver.com if you need further information.
Our book about our family's experience with PDA is out now - called PDA in the Family, there's more information in this post: PDA in the Family: Life After the Lightbulb Moment Book Launch
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