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Welcome to the Learn to Drive at 16 website. My name is Matt, I am the Owner and Chief Driving Instructor (A.D.I) for the Under 17 Driving programme in Swindon, Wiltshire.
I set up the off road driving programme to give 16 year olds a chance to learn to drive, prior to their on road driving lessons, in a safe environment. I firmly believe that learning to drive is more than just being able to control the car and obey the rules of the road. It is also about understanding that driving can be a dangerous activity and, that as drivers, we are responsible for a potentially lethal weapon. So that is why the Learn to Drive at 16 programme focuses on driver responsibility just as much as it does on being able to control the car.
I also offer on road driving lessons. Prices start from £12.50/hr. See below or check out Church Farm Driving School for more details.
Drive at 16 sessionsDrive at 16 sessions run on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. Weekday sessions are available during the summer holidays. There is more information available on the Drive at 16 page. Check the Session Dates for availability.
I only use Fully Qualified Driving Instructors, with CRB clearance, to carry out the training.
I am pleased to announce that the Learn to Drive at 16 programme is now available to 14 year olds. Most off road driving lessons, for under 17's, are only available to 16 year olds due to the insurance restrictions. I have negotiated a special deal with my insurance company to allow me to offer training to anyone aged 14 years and upwards.
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The Teen Driving Experience will run during the school holidays and will last for 7 hours. The session will be shared between 3 people giving each person an opportunity to experience driving with passengers in the car. The sessions are being run at 2 venues in the South West of England.
Abbey Stadium, Blunsdon, Swindon
Devon Driver Centre, Westpoint, Devon
Both venues have proper facilities that we can use. So you won't have to use porta-toilets or sit under a gazebo eating your lunch and getting wet if it is raining.
For more information go to the Teen Driving Experience page.
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It can be difficult finding unique Birthday presents for 14 to 16 year olds. That is why the Learn to Drive at 16 programme offers Open Gift Vouchers, valid for 12 months from the date of purchase. To buy a Gift Voucher go to the Learn to Drive at 16 Gift Voucher page.
I also offer driving lessons for 17 year olds in Chippenham, Swindon, and the surrounding areas. The driving lessons can take any form that you wish, hourly lessons or intensive courses
I offer weekly driving lessons on a pay as you go basis or in blocks of 10 hours at a time. There is a discount if driving lessons are booked in blocks of 10 hours.
The lessons are run at the pupils pace and follow the same methods as the Learn to Drive at 16 sessions. I also will help with the Theory Test if needed.
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Half the cost of your driving lessons. If you have a friend who wants to learn to drive why not share your lessons with them.
The benefits of learning with a friend:
Often called crash courses they have not always had the best reputation as the lessons are often based around test routes. I offer a variety of Intensive Courses all based around real world driving but still preparing the pupil for the Driving Test
The courses are based on your requirements. Once I have booked the Driving Test then I will book your lessons to run up to the Test.
All Courses include the first Driving Test Fee. If you book the 40 hours Premium Intensive Course then you will get an additional 10 hours training free*, if you are not successful on your first attempt.
The Intensive Course Fees:
For more information or to book your driving lessons please call 01249 891350 and ask for Matt. There is more information available at the Church Farm Driving School website.
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Our unique position means that your driving session can form part of a fun day out, with the whole family.
Swindon Designer OutletThere has been a lot of discussion, in the last few weeks, about whether it is suitable to teach under 17 year olds to drive off road. Inside Out on BBC 1 will profile the Under 17 Car Club that runs off road driving opportunities for under 17's in Wiltshire.
The Under 17 Car Club has been running for over 20 years and has proven that teaching young people to drive off road before they are 17 has been very beneficial for them. In a recent survey, published by The Under 17 Car Club, they showed that when their students passed the Driving Test, at 17, they had a higher pass rate and a lower incidence of crashes and points on their licences. This was compared to the DSA published Pass Rates and the figures that are produced each year by the Office for National Statistics detailing young drivers activities whilst driving on the road.
The Under 17 Car Club is a club rather than a training organisation. They do not employ anyone to teach the under 17 year olds to drive off road. All the driving instruction is done by the parents in their own cars with Under 17 Car Club Instructors on hand to check on the progress of the young driver. The club is run by the parents for the young drivers.
The reason for writing about The Under 17 Car Club on my site is because they prove that learning to drive off road at 16 or younger is very beneficial for the young person. This is in marked contrast to Inspector Alan Jones, from the Police Federation of England and Wales, and Kevin Clinton, from Rospa, who's views are only based on an opinion. This article from the Swindon Advertiser has more information.
The programme airs on BBC1 Inside Out (West) on Monday 1st March 2010 at 19:30
It's good to see that a big car company like Seat are recognising the value of teaching under 17's to drive in a safe off road environment. Their Young Driver programme was featured in The Telegraph recently.
The Young Driver Programme, run by Seat, is sponsored by Admiral Multicar. Admiral Multicar say that research shows that accident rates are reduced by 40 per cent if a person, aged under 17, has had some formal off road driving tuition before they start driving on the road.
I am mentioning Seat's Young Driver programme on my site because it gives you a chance to see that what I am offering is unique amongst the under 17 driving courses, that are available out there.
At the end of your first Learn to Drive at 16 session you will get a pack to take away with you.
