Children as young as 10 learning how to drive amid test backlog chaos - 'Could make all the difference'

Children as young as 10 years old are getting behind the wheel, with an increase in the number of young people being interested in driving.

New data shows that there has been a 15 per cent jump in new searches for junior driving packages between 2024 and 2025.

Young motorists can often benefit from these sessions by learning about moving off, accelerating, braking and changing gears.

These sessions also show children more advanced skills, including parking, as well as road positions and sign recognition.

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These services can be designed in particular ways to simulate real-world road conditions to help young people adapt.

One service, Experiences.co.uk, provides driving lessons for children as young as 10, as well as junior packages for people with a disability.

All junior driving experiences are run by qualified instructors with appropriate safety measures in place.

This includes dual controls, where required, to ensure all occupants in the vehicle remain safe when the young person is behind the wheel.

Junior motoring experiences do not require a person to have a full driving licence to take part, with the approved driving instructor having control at all times.

Most experiences require the driver to be at least 10-years-old, while guidelines also suggest a minimum height of around 4ft 5in (1.34 metres).

Imran Malek, corporate sales manager at Experiences.co.uk, highlighted how many learner drivers were facing long delays when trying to book a practical driving test.

He said: "It can pay to be ahead of the game by learning to drive from a very young age in a safe environment away from the open road.

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"This way, they can increase their confidence and driving skills, paving the way to consider booking a practical driving test as soon as they are old enough."

Thousands of motorists across the country have faced long delays when attempting to get a practical driving test in recent years.

The latest data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) suggests that the average wait for a practical test in Great Britain is 22.3 weeks.

Labour has consistently pledged to reduce the backlog, including delivering more tests, hiring more driving instructors and drafting in military driving examiners.

Almost two million tests have been delivered in the last year, a significant rise of 158,000 since June 2025.

Rules have also been introduced to stop people from reselling tests for profit, which has seen some people pay hundreds or even thousands of pounds for a practical test.

Mr Malek added: "These sessions take place on private land away from the hustle and bustle of public roads, allowing full focus on learning the driving skills necessary to become confident behind the wheel.

"Having quality time behind the wheel from the age of just 10 years old could make all the difference when it comes to passing the practical driving test."

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