In the UK, the magic number for driving is 17. That’s the age when you can start learning, take your driving test, and officially hit the road. Or is it?
Thanks to Young Driver, kids as young as 10 can experience the thrill of driving a real car – in a safe, controlled environment. And as soon as I heard about it, I knew this would be the perfect Christmas gift for my daughter.
She’s already a seasoned go-karter, so the idea of getting behind the wheel of an actual car felt like the ultimate upgrade. The hard part? Waiting to tell her. I’m terrible at keeping surprises, but I managed to hold it in, and on the day, her reaction made it so worth it.
Why Give a 10-Year-Old a Driving Lesson?
You might be wondering why you’d hand over the keys to a 10-year-old – and no, I haven’t gone mad.
One of the best parts of the Young Driver experience is the confidence it builds. Learning to handle a car early on, in a safe space, helps kids become aware of the risks and responsibilities that come with driving. It also gives them a head start on mastering the basics, so when the real lessons roll around at 17, they’ll already be ahead of the game.
For me, it’s about setting her up for the future. Whether she’s heading to school or working a weekend job, being sensible and road-aware will only help her as she gains more independence. And with dual controls in all the cars, the experience is as safe as it gets.
The Cardiff City Stadium Experience
There are Young Driver locations all over the UK, but for us, it was Cardiff City Stadium – a venue as impressive as it sounds. The set-up was fantastic, with a huge tarmac area that had been transformed into a mini road network.
Here’s what she got to tackle:
- Realistic road layouts complete with turns and straights.
- Crossroads and T-junctions, just like the real thing.
- Steering and parking zones, perfect for practising manoeuvres.
We had heard that there would be traffic lights, but there were none on the day. May be next time.
As a bonus, the instructors were amazing – patient, encouraging, and full of tips. By the end of the session, my daughter was beaming with pride.
Keeping Track of Progress
At the end of her lesson, she was handed a Drive Diary – a little booklet where her progress was recorded. It’s a great idea because it means when (not if!) we go back, the instructor can pick up where she left off.
Young Driver also offers advanced sessions for those who’ve done a few lessons. It’s something we’ll definitely consider for the future, especially since she’s already begging to return.
The Tech Side – Almost Perfect
There’s an app to accompany the experience, which sounded great in theory. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get it to work because it’s not compatible with newer versions of Android. It’s a small hiccup, but hopefully, they’ll update it soon because it would’ve been a fun way to continue the experience at home.
The Cost
Here’s the breakdown:
- 30-minute lesson: £53.99
- 60-minute lesson: A bit more (but worth it if you want extra practice).
- In-car video recording: £15.99
The video option was a fun addition. It captured the view from behind the wheel and her reactions as she drove. We chose it because it was her first time, and we wanted to remember the moment – but I’d probably skip it for future lessons unless she specifically wanted it.
Compared to a go-karting session, the cost feels pretty reasonable. And honestly, the experience feels much more valuable – it’s not just fun; it’s practical too.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
Absolutely! Here’s why:
- Confidence boost: Once she got over her initial nerves, she was loving every second.
- Value for money: It’s comparable to other activities like go-karting, but with added long-term benefits.
- Unique experience: Let’s face it – how many 10-year-olds can say they’ve driven a real car?
Would we do it again? Without a doubt. She’s already planning her next session, and honestly, I can’t wait to see her progress. For now, though, I’m just glad I managed to keep the surprise under wraps – because her reaction made it all worthwhile.
If you’re thinking about booking a Young Driver session, do it. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just because, it’s an experience your kids won’t forget – and one that’ll make you proud too.
