How children as young as ELEVEN can legally get behind the wheel of a car and learn to drive with an instructor
Youngsters can learn to drive long before they are able to apply for a provisional licence - and can even test their skills on a race track
ASPIRING young motorists don't have to wait until they turn 17 to get behind the wheel.
Children as young as 11 can jump in the car and start learning to drive with specialised youth driver training.
But they won't be heading out on the road, of course.
Driver training centres all over the UK offer special courses for 11-16-year-olds, to help them develop their basic car handling skills before they start driving on public roads.
Held on controlled tracks or in private car parks under professional instruction, youngsters can learn simple manoeuvres and even get a grip on navigating through artificial traffic, junctions and roundabouts.
According to the , one of the nation's biggest providers, Young Driver Training, offers courses at 60 different locations costing around £36 for 30 minutes behind the wheel.
And for those who want to try going faster, YoungDrive! programmes offer track lessons for kids 11 years and up.
Young Brits can take the driver's seat in closed circuit sessions with an instructor, where they will learn gear changing, clutch control and steering at speeds up to 50mph.
The courses exist to give new drivers the chance to get a head start on their driving careers, without the stresses of busy roads and traffic.
Parents can also teach their kids the basics themselves from any age, as long as they are on strictly private land.
But keep in mind, letting a youngster drive your car in a private setting will mean your motor isn't insured, and you won't be covered if there is an accident.
Road safety charity IAM Roadsmart has now called for young driver programmes to be introduced in schools, with theory and hazard perception testing included in the National Curriculum.
They believe that teaching teens basic skills before they are able to get a provisional licence will help to reduce the number of fatal accidents involving drivers in the 17-24 age bracket.
The safety charity has also partnered with the Under 17 Car Club, which meets on Sundays around the UK to give young motorists the chance to learn in a safe, off-road environment.
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Shaun Cronin, IAM regional quality manager, said: “For a young person getting behind the wheel years before they can legally take to the road is a one-off opportunity.
"But this is about having fun too – our members get the opportunity to spend their Sundays driving a wide variety of cars, lorries and buses – and even learning advanced skills on a race track.
“The bottom line is this: working together with the IAM, the Under 17 Car Club can prevent a lot of crashes and, hopefully, we can save young lives.”