Charity provides free coaching for young drivers and riders

• · IAM RoadSmart-funded training programme young drivers and riders free expert coaching
• · Latest figures show young drivers remain among the highest-risk groups on Britain's roads with 1 in 5 road collisions involving drivers under 25s

Young drivers and motorcycle riders have benefited from fully funded driving and riding training thanks to funds raised by IAM RoadSmart members and supporters.

The participants, aged 17 to 26, attended the fully funded ‘Skills for the Road’ days at Thruxton Circuit last week (5 & 6 August), where they received expert tuition designed to build confidence, improve vehicle control and encourage safer driving and riding behaviours. Additionally, riders were given valuable life-saving skills through event partners DocBike.

The initiative comes as young motorists continue to face a disproportionately high risk of being involved in a collision on Britain's roads. Department for Transport figures show that young drivers are involved in around one in five serious or fatal car collisions while one in ten motorcycle collisions involve an inexperienced driver; Young male drivers aged 17 to 24 are also four times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than drivers aged 25 and over*.

For young riders, the figures are equally as stark, with more than 1,700 riders under 25 years of age being killed or seriously injured in 2025.

IAM RoadSmart raised over £25,000 through its Big Give Christmas Challenge, enabling the charity to deliver dedicated Skills for the Road sessions aimed at helping both young drivers and riders to gain valuable experience and awareness through high-quality coaching and practical training.

Participants took part in a range of practical sessions covering vehicle handling, hazard awareness, road positioning, observation skills and vehicle maintenance. The training enabled them to safely explore the capabilities of their vehicles/motorbikes in a controlled environment while learning the techniques. IAM RoadSmart and DocBike were also joined at the event by Mental Health Motorbike.

IAM RoadSmart Road Safety Manager, Shaun Cronin, said: "Ultimately, we want to make our roads safer for everyone, and our young driver and rider days are a big part of that. Young drivers & riders remain among the most vulnerable road users due to their lack of experience which is why opportunities like this matter.

“Developing confidence, awareness and good decision-making skills early in a driver's or rider's life can have a lasting impact. These sessions are about empowering the next generation to stay safe on the road, while making driving and riding more enjoyable. We hope to expand this programme in the future so that even more young people can benefit from this type of training."

Attendees praised the programme for providing valuable real-world learning in a safe environment.

Sally Williams from Liverpool, who attended the IAM RoadSmart motorcycle day, said: “I’ve been a rider for three to four years. Today has allowed me to focus on my technique in a safe environment. It’s brilliant that these days are funded and accessible to someone like me as I just wouldn’t have had the spare money otherwise. It’s been so valuable especially as I have seen the impact of what happens when people don’t have the skill set first hand. I don’t want to become a statistic.”

Connor MacKenzie from Hertfordshire, who attended the IAM RoadSmart Car Skills Day, said: “I’ve been driving for a year and a half and I thought it would be a good opportunity to grow my confidence as a driver and learn some new skills. I have learnt the importance of stability through corners and how road conditions can affect the handling of a car.”

IAM RoadSmart believes improving access to post-test training is a vital part of reducing casualties among young road users and is calling for greater investment in initiatives that help new drivers and riders gain knowledge and experience safely.

The charity hopes to build on the success of the Skills for the Road sessions and deliver more opportunities in the future, ensuring that young motorists have access to the guidance, mentoring and practical experience needed to stay safe for life. Plans are already under way for the Big Give Christmas Challenge 2026, with the aim of raising enough funds to provide even more young people with access to advanced rider and driver training opportunities.

For more information about IAM RoadSmart and its young driver initiatives, visit www.iamroadsmart.com.