Ahead of World Environment Day on June 5th, Young Driver, the UK’s largest pre-17 driving school, is promoting green driving. Moreover, it offers practical advice to young learners on adopting environmentally friendly habits.
So far, Young Driver has delivered over 1.6 million lessons. Consequently, children as young as four can drive electric Firefly sports cars, while older students use hybrid Suzuki Swifts.
Additionally, the award-winning scheme operates at 70 venues nationwide. It is dedicated to nurturing safer, more responsible, and greener future drivers.
Furthermore, Young Driver provides several key tips for greener driving:
- First, drive smoothly by avoiding harsh braking and rapid acceleration, as this helps reduce fuel use and emissions.
- Next, remove unnecessary items and roof accessories because a lighter car uses less fuel and produces fewer emissions.
- In addition, stick to sensible speeds and use cruise control on motorways. This simple change can significantly save fuel.
- Moreover, check tyre pressure every week, since maintaining the right pressure improves both efficiency and safety.
- Also, use air conditioning only when necessary, and ensure it is serviced regularly for optimal efficiency.
- Equally important, regular maintenance not only reduces emissions but also keeps your car running efficiently.
- Furthermore, avoid idling by switching off your engine when stationary. This simple act helps to cut unnecessary emissions.
- Additionally, plan your journeys to avoid delays and peak traffic. This reduces the time you spend on the road and saves fuel.
- Moreover, shift to higher gears as early as possible, since this technique improves your fuel economy.
- Finally, combine trips or car-share when possible. This strategy reduces cold starts and overall emissions.
Ian Mulingani, Managing Director at Young Driver, notes that few young people have access to electric cars or public transport. Nevertheless, most care deeply about the environment. Therefore, lessons focus on low-emission driving in hybrid vehicles, achieving over 60mpg. For younger pupils, fully recyclable, solar-charged Firefly Sport electric cars are used.
In 2025, Young Driver switched to Suzuki Swift mild hybrids. These cars are praised for their low emissions, impressive fuel economy, and reliability, making them ideal for young motorists.
Young Driver’s realistic road layouts and supportive environment help students build skills and confidence safely. Remarkably, fewer than 4% of Young Driver graduates are involved in accidents within six months of passing their test. In contrast, the national average is one in five.
Efforts to transform Young Driver’s nine-acre headquarters have created thriving habitats for wildlife. Thousands of trees and hedges have been planted, and a variety of rescued animals are cared for on site.
- To learn more about Young Driver, visit http://www.youngdriver.com.
