THE Northern Echo is offering six lucky young people the chance to win a 30-minute Young Driver lesson, worth £34.95, which can be redeemed at Darlington’s Mowden Park.

Young Driver offers driving tuition to 10-ten to 17-year-olds – so up to seven years before they can legally take to the road. It is the UK’s largest provider of pre-17 driving lessons and has delivered more than 275,000 lessons at 43 venues across Britain.

The Northern Echo:

A total of 400 people lose their lives in accidents involving young drivers each year in the UK. Shockingly, the figures show one in five newly qualified drivers will crash within six months of passing their test, rising to 40 per cent of 17-year -old males.

But, according to statistics, for those who have taken Young Driver lessons, the rate of accidents drops by more than a half, to fewer than one in 10 ten.

“Thirty- or 60-minute lessons take place behind the wheel of a dual-controlled Skoda Citigo car, with a highly qualified driving instructor,” said a Young Driver spokeswoman. “A whole road system is created to help the drivers learn everything from changing gears and parking to using roundabouts and manoeuvring a slalom. The emphasis is on learning how to be a responsible driver.

“Lessons mirror those taken on the road at 17, but give youngsters the chance to take their time without any pressure to pass a test.”

The winners will each receive a 30-minute lesson at the Young Driver’s Darlington venue. Driving tuition is available for youngsters with disabilities.

Visit www.youngdriver.eu or call 0844 371 9010.

To stand a chance of winning just answer this question: How old must you be before you can legally take to the road?

  • Email answers, including name, address and daytime contact number to matt.westcott@nne.co.uk marking them Young Driver Competition or post to Young Driver Competition, c/o Matt Westcott, Newsdesk, The Northern Echo, Priestgate, Darlington, DL11NF.
  • Six winners will receive a voucher for a 30-minute Young Driver lesson. The winner can choose a time to suit them from all times and dates available at the time of booking. Vouchers are valid for nine months from date of issue.
  • To take part in Young Driver, the participant must be aged 11 or over and more than 1.4 metres tall. There is no cash alternative for the prize and no alternative will be offered. Prizes are non-transferable. Usual Newsquest (Yorkshire and North-East) rules apply.