Ahead of World Environment Day on June 5th, Young Driver—the UK’s largest pre-17 driving school—is championing environmentally friendly driving with practical tips for its young learners.
With over 1.6 million lessons delivered, Young Driver welcomes pupils as young as four to drive electric Firefly sports cars, and offers older students hybrid Suzuki Swifts.
Operating at 70 venues nationwide, the award-winning scheme is dedicated to nurturing safer, more responsible—and greener—future drivers.
Young Driver’s key tips for greener driving include:
- Drive smoothly, avoiding harsh braking and rapid acceleration to reduce fuel use and emissions.
- Remove unnecessary items and roof accessories to lighten your car and reduce fuel consumption.
- Stick to sensible speeds and use cruise control on motorways to save fuel.
- Check tyre pressure weekly to improve efficiency and safety.
- Use air conditioning sparingly and ensure it is regularly serviced for optimal efficiency.
- Regular maintenance helps reduce emissions and keeps your car running efficiently.
- Avoid idling; switch off the engine when stationary to cut unnecessary emissions.
- Plan journeys to avoid delays and peak traffic, reducing time spent on the road.
- Shift to higher gears early for better fuel economy.
- Combine trips or car-share to reduce cold starts and emissions.
Ian Mulingani, Managing Director at Young Driver, emphasises that while few young people have access to electric cars or public transport, most care deeply about the environment. Lessons focus on low-emission driving in hybrid vehicles, achieving over 60mpg, alongside the use of fully recyclable, solar-charged Firefly Sport electric cars for younger pupils. The organisation also offsets its emissions by planting thousands of trees and creating wildlife habitats, showing that environmental stewardship is central to its mission.
In 2025, Young Driver switched to Suzuki Swift mild hybrids, 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. Notably, fewer than 4% of Young Driver graduates are involved in accidents within six months of passing their test, compared to the national average of one in five.
Efforts to transform Young Driver’s nine-acre headquarters have created thriving habitats for wildlife, with thousands of trees and hedges planted and a variety of rescued animals cared for on site.
- For more about Young Driver visit http://www.youngdriver.com
