Mercedes-Benz World at Brooklands, just off the M25 junction 10, has officially launched the ‘Stars Driving Club’ whereby budding young testosterone filled teenagers over 1.5 meters tall, can have the ultimate experience -thier first ever-driving lesson in a Mercedes A-Class with the added bonus of it taking place within the home of British motor racing, The Brooklands Circuit! Take it from me; this is a real cool factor for them as their street cred hits new levels.

The cynics out there may smirk and ask the poignant question, ‘What’s the point?’ or ‘another commercial scam’ but hold fire on these thoughts as this programme is a genuine educational experience that could untimely save the lives of many new young novice drivers, one of which could be your son or daughter.

The idea, which I totally agree with, is that when they come to 17 and are legally allowed to drive, they have the skills of controlling the car which will cut out the first three lessons fumbling around trying to fathom out what does what, The benefit of this, is that because they are not looking down at the pedals, or looking across to find the gear lever etc as they know where they are positioned, how to operate them safely etc, they can concentrate on the real matter in hand. What is happening on the road.

With today’s traffic increase, faster cars, everyone in a hurry to get wherever they have to get too, if a learner driver comes along, in some cases it is like a red rag to a bull. Gone are the days where drivers were courteous to learners, helping them in their quest to master the perilous art of driving. Nowadays they are considered a hazard and in some extreme cases have caused road rage. By learning the basic controls they will be far better prepared for the busy roads today, their concentration will be fully on the what is going on around them as opposed to where is what. Stalling should be virtually eliminated and they should integrate with the other road users far better having completed a programme such as this.

But they are also being taught something equally important, the physiology that surrounds driving in terms of attitude. They are subtly learning the true dangers of speeding, being egged on by so-called mates, and to respect other road users.

All the instructors are ADI qualified and are extremely good at relaxing these deep down, rather excited young people. They join the Stars Driving Club and are presented with a logbook, which records their progress during their lesson and in subsequent lessons if they choose to come back for more! It is a true keepsake for them. As a driving instructor myself, I can also say they do a lot in the first lesson from stopping and starting, turning left and right, reversing, and even reverse parking! At this rate, us instructors will be out of a job!

The instructors are truly great in explaining things, and equally attentive to questions asked, actively encouraging the youngsters to genuinely take an interest in what they are doing and learning. And do you know what? The youngsters do.

The lesson lasts 30 minutes and at the end the instructor fills in their logbook. All the activities they complete on that lesson are graded on a scale of 1-5 but the instructor asks them how they felt they did and 9 times out of 10 agrees with them. This is a great physiology lesson for the youngsters as they really feel they are being taken seriously.

They start off as Novice, then can return for Red Driver, Amber Driver and Green Driver, by which stage they would have mastered car control, skills for reversing round a corner, gear changes for turn in the roads and parking as well as understanding how safety systems work including personal safety such as fatigue, drugs and alcohol.

The next stage is Junior Driver or Silver that includes all general driving skills, the theory of the road and special risk factors such as showing off. The final stage is Team Driver of Gold; whereby the driver has mastered all necessary driving skills, knowledge of the Highway Code, understands the principles of driving safety, driving risks including main types and causes of accidents. On top of this they have learnt to be self critical of their own driving when they have made mistakes. This is just such a wonderful programme.

Ultimately, we are looking at a new generation of drivers with a sensible approach to the road that long term, will hopefully mean we, as parents, do not have to listen to another story of an innocent person being killed by a reckless young novice driver.

As a treat you could pay for them to go on the fantastic off road course (just make sure you have not eaten before hand in either of the two rather nice restaurants - albeit a tad pricey) a 30 minute ride in the car of their choice, while you could experience a half-day’s course in handling skills!

These activities need to be booked in advance so visit http://www.mercedes-benzworld.coThese activities need to be booked in advance so visit MB World and have a truly fantastic original day out bonding with your teenager.

Jackie Violet

FemaleFirst Motoring Journalist