Who let the kids out?

Youngsters from the age of 10 in Barnsley will now be able to get a head start controlling their own vehicle thanks to a new program in the Sheffield arena.

Young Driver is just one scheme helping children from Barnsley and around South Yorkshire get on the roads by providing lessons from the age of 5 to 17. This program is the biggest under 17 driving school in the UK where youngsters can learn all the ins and outs of driving in a safe, controlled environment driving in a brand new Vauxhall Corsa. Although availability is scarce, Young driver have added extra dates at the FlyDSA Sheffield Arena on September 20, October 24, and November 28.

Coronavirus has stuck a dagger through the heart of the driving industry since March 20 when driving lessons, theory tests and driving tests were stopped across England for the foreseeable future. This has left many learner drivers devastated and in a position where starting back up could be harder than the driving itself.

"Safety measures are excellent and the instructor was great."

The backlog in tests leaves many centres across south Yorkshire unable to provide enough new drivers tests they could have been waiting for since March, meaning to book a theory or driving test now, you could be waiting until January for the earliest slot. Driving officials are worried this may have a drastic effect on future learner drivers and their attitude to wanting to get their hands on a license.

One happy parent reviewed “I would definitely recommend. Brilliant experience for my 14-year-old grandson. He cannot wait to go again! Safety measures are excellent and the instructor was great.”

The hopes of allowing young people to do things like these are both to improve their road safety awareness when cycling or walking places but also recent surveys show the rate of drivers that crash a vehicle between the ages of 17-24 is 50% lower among those who have previously experienced young driver course. The organisers want to build young people’s confidence and safety in driving to keep people on the roads for years to come.