Can You Drive a Supercar at 17 in the UK? - News

KEY POINTS

• Children as young as 10 can drive a supercar in the UK but only in certain conditions
• Pre-booked driving experiences that are supervised and take place at race tracks, circuits and airfields with professional instructors is the appropriate environment
• Youngsters can also drive trucks, fire engines and military vehicles under expert supervision

Yes, it is possible to drive a supercar at 17, and as young as 10 years old, in the UK under certain conditions, so read on to find out what's possible and where it can be done.

• The Right Place For Youngsters To Drive a Supercar

Pre-booked - and supervised - driving experiences with professional instructors at venues including race tracks, circuits and airfields provide the perfect opportunity for under 17s to drive a supercar from prestigious manufacturers including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and McLaren.

Safety is paramount, as you would expect, and experiences begin with an introduction and safety briefing, while controlled driving takes place under the guidance of an expert instructor. Additionally, anyone under 17 must be accompanied by an adult whilst at the venue.

• Public Roads Have Their Own Rules

The minimum age to drive on public roads in the UK is 17 for most people, whether that's driving a supercar or something with a little less horsepower.

The DVLA may grant a provisional licence to those aged 16 if they receive the higher rate mobility component of DLA (Disability Living Allowance) or the enhanced mobility component of PIP (Personal Independence Payment).

However, youngsters can learn the basics of driving, including pulling away, steering, braking and changing gear, when booking a supervised Under 17s Driving Lesson away from public roads, such as on airfields.

This experience will help boost confidence levels behind the wheel when it comes to driving on a public road for the first time.

• Which Supercars are the Best for Youngsters to Drive?

All supercars, by their very nature, have a strong appeal, conjuring up images of luxury, glamour and high performance, no matter your age.

Choosing the right one is usually a matter of personal preference, perhaps holding an affection for a certain manufacturer, whether that's Aston Martin, Nissan or Audi.

Therefore, it's almost impossible to say which supercar is best for youngsters to drive. Perhaps the best way of finding out is to try them all!

• Much More Besides Amazing Supercars

While supercars steal the limelight (and perhaps rightly so), there's plenty of other vehicles that youngsters can drive with Trackdays in a safe and controlled environment, all giving precious time behind the wheel.

Indeed, one of the best ways to learn valuable driving techniques is by going off grid on a Junior 4x4 Off Road Experience. These memorable experiences for children aged 10 years and up swap the asphalt for water troughs, steep gradients, rocky courses and different terrains, each presenting a unique, but fun, challenge.

• Encouraging Young Drivers to Learn New Skills

Why should youngsters settle for driving a supercar when they can drive a supercar transporter? Our Junior Truck Driving Experiences put them in the cab pulling a 45ft truck. These awesome machines are the real deal, packing 420 bhp courtesy of a monster 13-litre 6 cylinder engine.

Safety is, once again, a main priority and the experience includes a full safety briefing in the cab by a fully qualified HGV instructor who will guide them round the course.

• Super Experiences to Match Supercars

Other extreme experiences for youngsters to try include driving a fire engine or military vehicle (perhaps unlocking a future career path!)

As you can see, as well as supercars there are plenty of other vehicles that young people can drive at 17 in the UK, as long as it's in the appropriate place.