It’s commonly thought that you cannot learn to drive before 17 in the UK. That’s not strictly speaking true – although you must be 17 to hold a provisional driving license and to drive on public roads, there are no such restrictions in place for private land.
This used to be largely irrelevant for most people, unless you were fortunate enough to grow up on a large private estate. In recent years, however, there has been a strong growth in driving tuition companies offering lessons for under 17s (some start from as young as 14) on private roads of some kind.
Where Can You Learn to Drive Before 17?
Driving lessons for the under 17s can take place in all sorts of places – the one key proviso is that the land must not be accessible to the general public. Some companies are licensed to use MOD driver training tracks on certain days of the week; some use disused airports, or abandoned industrial estates which are in private ownership. Some use purpose built driving tracks. These are all termed “off road” driving facilities – not off road as in mud-splashing 4x4s on dirt tracks, but simply off the public roads.
What Can You Do When You Learn to Drive Before 17?
In all off road driver training facilities, you can learn basic control of the car – getting going, changing gears, stopping, turning, reversing and so forth. How realistic the experience is or how useful it is when it comes to public driving will depend on the specifics of that location.
Some off road facilities have everything you might encounter during driving on public roads – from car parks to traffic lights, roundabouts, hills and dual carriageways. The only difference is that there are no other cars!
Other facilities are more limited, and some just involve large open spaces.
Not Just for the Very Young
It’s not only under 17s who could benefit from off road driving facilities. Particularly nervous drivers may prefer to learn the basics away from any traffic. Those who can already drive but are returning to the car after a nasty accident may prefer to build up confidence again away from the public roads.
What are the Pros and Cons When You Learn to Drive Before 17?
If you learn the basics of driving before you are 17, you will obviously require fewer lessons once you turn 17, and will most likely pass your driving test faster. It’s also huge fun for most young teens, which helps!
However, nothing can truly prepare you for driving in real traffic, with real, unpredictable other people – other than doing it. There is a slight risk that young drivers who feel they already know it all may be over-confident when they get onto the public roads.
Driving lessons on off road facilities tend to be more expensive than ordinary driving lessons, not least because as well as paying for your driving teacher’s time and expertise, and wear on the car, you’re also paying towards the hire of the facility.
Is it worth it? That’s a very personal choice. It can be, especially if you are extremely keen to get your license as quickly as possible. However, saving that money and putting it towards some intensive lessons on the public roads once you reach 17 could be equally effective – and perhaps safer in terms of limiting over-confidence.
(Image Source: Flickr)
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