Young Driver scheme

Wirral’s Young Driver scheme - Helping you to become a safer driver

Statistics show that new drivers are more likely to have an accident in the first two years after passing their test. This is because of their lack of driving experience.

What is Wirral's Young Driver scheme?
Benefits of Wirral’s Young Driver scheme
How do I apply? 
How do I qualify for Wirral's Young Driver scheme? 
What Next?
Pass Plus
Skill for Life

What is Wirral's Young Driver scheme?

Wirral Council’s ‘Young Driver scheme’ supports young drivers by part funding courses in ‘Pass Plus’ or ‘Skill for Life’.

The scheme is aimed at drivers aged 17-25 to help them become better drivers by providing them with the skills they need to be safer on our roads.

Young drivers will be invited to attend an 'Drive to Arrive' workshop delivered by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. On completion of the workshop, drivers will receive a £70 voucher towards the cost of the 'Pass Plus' course or the 'Skill for Life' Course.

Drivers must pay the remaining balance of the course fee directly to the driving instructor/trainer of their choice. Course fees vary depending on the instructor or driving school you choose.

Benefits of Wirral’s Young Driver scheme

Both courses build on the skills and knowledge taught for your driving test. The courses teach you how to anticipate, plan for and deal with all kinds of hazards, to help you become a more confident driver. You will gain experience in areas not covered on your driving test, such as motorway driving, driving at night and in winter weather conditions and in areas statistically known in Wirral to have high accident rates.

How do I apply?

To apply for Wirral’s Young Driver scheme, please check you qualify to apply by reading the details below and then complete the Young Driver application form online. Places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.

What next?

On completion of the form a member of our Road Safety team will be in touch to confirm if your application has been successful and to confirm your workshop details. Places are limited and allocated on a first come first served basis.

The workshops will last approximately 1.30 hours.

The next workshops are:

• Tuesday 15th May, 6-7:30pm, Wallasey Town Hall
• Tuesday 12th June, 6-7:30pm, Wallasey Town Hall
• Tuesday 10th July, 6-7:30pm, Wallasey Town Hall

Workshops take place once a month. The date of your workshop will be confirmed after you have registered.

Once you have completed the workshop, you will be given a voucher to part fund your on road course. Participating instructors and trainers in the scheme can be found on the right hand side of this webpage. It is your decision which course and trainer to select and you must book directly with them once you have completed the road safety workshop.

Using one of the instructors from our list does not mean that Wirral Council endorses any of the driving instructors over those not listed. The list contains those driving instructors who have agreed to participate in the scheme and receive part payment for the course from the pupil and from Wirral Council. If you would like to use an instructor not on the list, please ask your instructor to contact us.

How do I qualify for Wirral's Young Driver scheme?

• You must hold a full driving licence, and provide us with your driving licence number

• You must live within the Wirral Council local authority area (The property where you live, pay Council Tax to Wirral Council)

• You must be aged 17 - 25

• You must complete the Wirral Young driver workshop 'Drive to Arrive' before you can qualify for the part-funded on-road courses.

Choosing an instructor

For Pass Plus you need to choose an Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) to train you. The ADI must be registered with the DSA and they must also have their ADI 'green badge'. Skill for Life courses must be taken with the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

Recording progress

You and your instructor must complete an evaluation form that you’ll sign and date to confirm that you have covered all areas of the on road courses.

The Pass Plus scheme is aimed at new drivers to help them become better drivers. It was designed by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) with the help of insurers and the driving instruction industry.

The course consists of six specifically designed driver training sessions, to develop skills in:

• Town driving

• Driving in all weathers

• Countryside and rural road driving

• Driving at night

• Driving on dual carriageways

• Motorway driving

The on road course takes at least six hours.

Further details on the course are available from the Direct Gov website.

Skill for Life

The IAM’s Advanced Driving Test was introduced in 1956 with the specific objective of significantly improving driving standards using the principles of advanced driving pioneered and applied with great success by the Metropolitan Police. The tests are now accredited by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).

The Advanced Test is not exclusively about safety, but encourages the driver to feel confident on the road, to make good progress, and to get greater enjoyment from the experience.

The IAM Skill for Life package contains everything you need to get your driving skills up to speed to take your Advanced Driving Test.

Further details about the 'Skill for Life' course are available from the Institute of Advanced Motorist's website  

Terms and Conditions

Only one voucher per pupil.

• No copies/photocopies of vouchers will be accepted.
• No cash alternatives will be given to pupils.
• Vouchers can not be resold, exchanged for cash or used as part payment  for any other driving course than those detailed.
• Scheme valid for Wirral residents only.