Drivers as young as nine could be allowed to get behind the wheel thanks to a revolutionary scheme aimed at improving road safety for motorists.
The Young Driver scheme has been backed by the delivery of its first batch of Suzuki Swift Hybrid models as part of a 170-car fleet deal.
The company which specialises in young driving lessons, has helped contribute to reduced accident rates among its graduates with only 3.3 per cent of former students involved in accidents within six months of passing their driving test, compared to the national average of 20 per cent.
Young Driver currently provides around 150,000 lessons annually across 72 UK sites, all of which will now use the 160 Swift Motion models with manual transmission and 10 with CVT transmission for drivers with impaired abilities.
Children aged as young as nine are able to take part in the Young Driver scheme
GETTY
Young Driver managing director Ian Mulingani explained that after reviewing all the car options, “the Swift was the clear winner”citing product quality, low CO2 emissions and ease of operation as key factors.
The Swift Hybrid models feature a 1.2-litre, three-cylinder mild hybrid engine producing 81bhp, with all vehicles equipped with He-Man Dual Controls.
The new fleet promises significant environmental improvements, with CO2 emissions of 99g/km compared to 117g/km for the previous fleet. The manual transmission model, which achieves 64.2mpg, is expected to save nearly £20,000 in fuel costs.
Suzuki GB Director David Kateley added: “We are delighted to be involved with Young Driver. Swift Hybrid is particularly suitable for younger drivers with its compact size and lightweight controls.”
A key reason for moving to the Swift included its cabin ergonomics, which allows children from age nine to drive, provided they are at least 1.4 metres in height. Previously, the minimum age was 10 with the outgoing Vauxhall Corsa fleet.
Young Driver offers specialised programmes for different age groups, with children aged four to 10 able to learn in bespoke Firefly Sports EVs.
The company also provides exclusive sessions in luxury vehicles including a Porsche 911, Mercedes-Benz SL 500 and Caterham Seven.
Mulingani added: “The Swift stood head and shoulders above its other rivals. We’re now taking on a fleet that is significantly greener and more economical, easier to drive, better equipped, and will retain an excellent 55 per cent of its value after three years.”
The enhanced scheme comes amid growing calls for the UK to introduce Graduated Driving Licences to tackle the number of young people involved in car accidents.
The licence would impose restrictions on new drivers who have recently passed their practical test for an initial period of time. Under the rules, young drivers could be limited to certain speeds, how many passengers they can carry and even face a curfew.
Support for the proposals has been growing after MP Kim Leadbeater successfully introduced the Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (New Drivers) Bill to Parliament in May last year.
She told MPs: “Since I was elected in 2021, road safety has been one of my top priorities as the Member of Parliament for Batley and Spen and an issue frequently raised with me by understandably concerned constituents.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Young drivers are more likely to get into a road collision than any other age group
GETTY
“We must never forget that behind that statistic there are thousands of lives, right across the country, grieving or going through unimaginable pain.
“Lives changed forever and families torn apart by tragic and often avoidable collisions. Many of us will remember being new drivers. The inexperience, the lack of confidence or, sometimes, sadly often amongst younger men, the overconfidence.”