Buying a Christmas gift for a teen or tween is never easy. What do they already have? What’s in trend? And as the new John Lewis advert shows us – cash can seem pretty uninspired.

So what about an experience? Something they’ll remember forever, which is helping them learn an important life skill, and which is (very importantly) lots of fun?

How about their very first driving lesson – but up to 13 years before they can get on the road for real! Young Driver offers driving lessons for youngsters from the age of four.

Four to nines drive a specially created electric sports car called the Firefly. Nine to 17s drive full size, dual controlled cars with fully qualified instructors.

Events run at 70 private venues across the UK, on specially created road systems, with everything from roundabouts, road signs and junctions to areas to practice parallel parking. It has delivered almost 1.7 million lessons since it launched 17 years ago.

While lessons are great fun and a huge confidence boost, there’s a serious road safety message behind them. Research shows that learning to drive over a longer period, and from an earlier age, can help reduce the accident rate for newly qualified drivers by more than 80% in the dangerous first six months after passing their test. Young Driver past pupils are also more likely to pass their driving test first time!

Ian Mulingani, Young Driver’s managing director, believes that it’s crucial to introduce safe habits early. He explains: “Research shows that by teaching youngsters over a longer period, taking away that pressure and that rush to pass their test, we can actually create safer drivers. Our pupils are more prepared for their tests and therefore more likely to pass first time and, most importantly, with less crashes once on the road.

“By starting younger, and learning consistently, learners build vital neural pathways which means elements such as gear changes, clutch control and steering become more ‘automatic’, so once on the road they can focus on the more complex areas of driving such as hazard awareness. Practice really does make perfect. And younger learners are like sponges, soaking up information. Eighty six per cent of our past pupils think they’re a safer driver because of the scheme.”

Teens and tweens aged 9-17s

Young Driver teaches children aged 9 to 17 in dual-controlled cars such as Suzuki Swifts. They learn with qualified instructors on realistic road layouts, allowing youngsters to build confidence and skills safely. The focus is on developing responsible attitudes alongside core driving techniques such as steering, braking and parking, without the pressures of public roads. Lessons start from £47.99.

The Firefly for 4-9s

Eager drivers don’t even have to wait until age 9 to get started. At selected venues, Young Driver offers 4 to 9 year olds the chance to get behind the wheel of the specially designed and created Firefly Sport supercar. This electric two seater is perfectly proportioned for younger drivers, but gets them used to steering, stopping and starting and safely following a road system. Firefly lessons cost £25.

An inclusive scheme

Young Driver’s aim is to become the UK’s most inclusive provider of driving lessons with the message that it is possible for almost anyone to give learning to drive a try – even if they might never be able to drive on a real road. Automatic and specially adapted cars are available at all venues.

Young Driver events run on select weekend and school holiday dates across the year and gift vouchers and lessons can be purchased at www.youngdriver.com