Under 17 Car Club

Negative experience: After over five years of being members, this club has changed for the worse. Disorganised (ask the same question three times and get three different answers), favouritism to members of volunteers (they get more instruction than children of non volunteers and those with the power turn a blind eye), inconsistencies in progression through the club (members of volunteers get fast tracked through the grading system without the driving ability), the Marshalls (past members who monitor the safety of members driving whilst at venues) only care about ‘displaying’ their own cars whilst completely ignoring their responsibilities, and finally most venues have terrible road surfaces which often pick up scapes or punctures. They apparently promote ‘safe driving’ but one example is the Chair’s daughter wrote off a car she was driving at speed (whilst playing with the in-car media system) and successfully smashed into the back of another car, which was also written off. Take from that what you will! Avoid.

Fantastic experience: The Club is very well set up to teach teenagers to drive, with lots of support and enthusiastic helpers. With an emphasis on safety, good advanced driving practices. The grading system helps keep the youngsters focused with their feet on the ground, along with regular 'lessons' from the instructors. It is an excellent grounding for getting on the roads when they are 17. My son loves it

Fantastic experience: The best way to make sure that our teenagers are safe on the road when they get to 17. Teaches them much more than just driving skills.

Fantastic experience: Huge thanks, to the U17 Car Club, for the safe, skilled and confident driver our son has become. Just passed his driving test, first time, with no instruction beyond the club (and his dad!). Really impressed and would recommend to all

Fantastic experience: Having put my eldest son through the clubs one week Pathfinder course and now started my youngest in the weekly events, I can't recommend the club enough, such a great team of volunteers and instructors that really know how to help the youngsters take their first steps towards becoming skilled drivers in enjoyable safe environments.

Fantastic experience: Handling over the car keys to your kid might be unsettling. But not if they have about five years of experience before they get the driving license. I've experienced first hand how they progress from the kids that barely reach the clutch, to confident drivers that drive the car (no doubt) at much higher standards that some drivers on public roads. And all that before they're 17, whilst keeping the learning fun and enjoyable. The club provides the base, many experienced instructors and keeps the journey of young drivers to be fun. Throwing in many of other activities such as first aid or skid course is just complementing the sum of what's on offer by the club. I bet that many of the youngsters can parallel park better than the most of drivers that drive for years I also trust that the club made me a better driver as a byproduct of their activities.

Fantastic experience: The U17 Car Club is an excellent way to educate our youth to drive. It is more than passing the L test - It is provides them with advanced driving techniques so that they have the skills to drive safely and become considerate drivers respectful of other road users. Added bonus that every student is accompanied by at least one parent/guardian who will be learning to be safer too

Fantastic experience: Absolutely fantastic run organisation. Great varied locations for young drivers to challenge themselves. Highly recommended

Fantastic experience: The Under 17 Car is a unique brilliant amazing place to teach your child to drive. My son was a member for 4 years and had the most amazing time (me too). My son is a much better driver for the experience and at 17 had all the technical skills to drive on the road. With a couple of lessons and a bit real world road driving he passed he test first time. I can never thank the various volunteers enough for the time they gave us both and continue to do so.

Fantastic experience: The under 17 club is simply awesome. Aside from the obvious where the members can learn to drive in a safe, well organised manner, settling the nerves of parents when they finally reach 17, it is just a really welcoming, well run club. I've been through with one child, and the next is coming soon! Spending that much time with a teenager is special too, given that otherwise, its simply not cool to be seen together..

Fantastic experience: I can’t say enough good things about the club. The club provides both venues on private land and educational support to help you teach your children to drive safely. The support is first class, fully aligned with advanced driving principles and everybody is friendly and helpful. Now that my daughter is 18 and on the road it’s great to know that she can drive to a high standard.

Fantastic experience: An amazing club, great opportunity for youngsters to learn to drive safely, developing car control and road awareness as well as having fun a lot of fun. It also builds their confidence and gets them to socialise with people of all ages. As they progress the opportunity to drive other cars, lorries and buses is endless. Worth 6 stars but Google only allow 5!

Fantastic experience: Great experience

Fantastic experience: Fantastic and welcoming club helping young people learn to drive in a safe environment in advance of becoming 17. Grateful for all the hard working volunteers.

Fantastic experience: An excellent way for young people to learn to drive safely AND for parents/carers to refresh their own motoring skills and knowledge while teaching their young driver. The club provides a supportive environment with instructors on hand to assist with tuition and help curb any bad habits before they start to develop. There are also some great venues presenting all kinds of challenges, helping members to prepare for the day they start driving on public roads. Nothing else gives young drivers the opportunity to gain so much driving experience, as well as opportunities to drive all kinds of vehicles, before they reach the age of 17.

Fantastic experience: Great way for kids to learn to drive, be safe on the roads when they turn 17 and finally an activity you can do with your kids!

Fantastic experience: Excellent club and great learning environment for our young drivers. Worth every penny to ensure my son is safe at 17.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic idea. I joined just before I turned 15 because my dad was a member and my interest in cars was growing. I’m hoping I’ll feel safer on the roads when I do turn 17 but also I’ll have the proper knowledge of how to maintain my car that some of my friends might not. Also, being the youngest friend in my group, without the club I’d be last to drive and probably last to pass my test, but by the time I’m 17 I’m hoping I won’t need many lessons to pass. I think the club is a great idea and I’d encourage people to join.

Fantastic experience: I joined in 2017 met so manny nice people in the club, made friends from other under 17’s in other schools. We all joined and had one thing in common, we wanted to learn to drive before we were 17. Ive learned first aid, how to control a skid in a front and rear wheel drive car, motorway driving, we practice theory tests and hazard perception as a part of getting better in the club and moving up the grading system that the club have used. After im 17 i plan on giving back to the club and becoming a marshal for the club to help the next generation of young drivers and more importantly safe drivers.