First thing you need to do is get your provisional driving licence from the DVLA.

There are lots to think about when learning to drive. Finding a driving instructor can be an important decision.

A fully qualified approved driving instructor (ADI) must display a green certificate on the windscreen of the car while teaching you. Some trainee driving instructors are granted a licence so they can gain experience before their qualifying examination. These trainees must display a pink certificate on the windscreen.

You should take advice from your ADI on:

• All aspects of driving
• What books to read
• When to take your test
• How to practice

FirstCar can give you lots of hits and tips on learning to drive and advice to keep learning once you have passed your test. Even experienced drivers need to continually develop driving skills, keep updated with the Highway Code and consider driver driving conditions.

Visit our motorcycling page to find out more about learning to ride a motorbike/moped.

We will all remember our first car.  There are lots of aspects to think about when choosing your car, how much it costs, the colour, how good the sound system is, does have air con might be important to you.

However, the safety features of your vehicle are just as important. Your car’s NCAP rating can help you to figure this out. This a five-point star rating, and an international standard for new car safety- the higher the rating, the safer it is. These might show you features that you might not have been initially looking for in your car but can help keep you and your passengers safe.

Check the insurance cost before you buy- you will need make sure you have included this in your budget. Remember, if it is your car and you are the main driver, you will need your own policy, not a named driver on someone else’s policy. Black boxes can help reduce your insurance costs.

Maintenance, MOT’s and servicing are all to be considered in your budget. Don’t forget to add reminders to your calendar to book your MOT ahead of its expiry date. Make sure you know how to check your car’s oil, water, screen wash and tyres and you check them regularly.

When you have passed your test you will still be learning, experience and time behind the wheel will all contribute to your driving safety. You, as the driver, are responsible for not just you and your passengers, but the road users around you. The Highway Code is constantly changing, always keep your knowledge up to date.

What is #mysmallchange?

Road crashes are the biggest killer of 17-25 year olds in the UK, so in an effort to combat this, the #mysmallchange campaign asks you to pledge a small change that will inspire other young drivers or passengers and help save lives.

If you live, work or study in Essex and are between 16 and 25 can make your pledge and be entered into a prize draw to win some great prizes - from £50 amazon vouchers to £500 towards your car insurance!

Register your #mysmallchange pledge - it takes less than 60 seconds!

You can make a pledge on any of the topics listed below but be sure to include a specific action you are pledging to take - for example, "I will never get in a car with someone I know has been drinking" or "I will make sure everyone in the car has their seatbelt on before driving off".

• Speeding
• Drink Driving
• Drug Driving
• Distractions
• Wearing a seatbelt
• Driving tired
• Using a mobile phone

To make things more interesting, you can opt-in for us to send you #mysmallchange Monday updates for extra chances to win. On the first Monday of each month, we’ll send some information and advice relevant for young drivers - the more you engage with the stuff we send, the more tokens we’ll give you towards winning!

Road collisions are the leading cause of death for 17 to 25-year-olds in the UK. To tackle this, we have developed a behaviour change programme based on the latest research and psychology in pre-young driver safety. It has been developed using the award-winning “Risk Avert Model” which has been used throughout various schools in Essex, enabling young people to better understand and deal with risks.

Roadster is ideal for Year 12 and 13 students who are new drivers or regular passengers. Each video-led session includes three short exercises with built-in time for peer discussion and reflection—no extra prep needed from you.

Below is an overview of what students can expect from the sessions:

Session 1
In this first session, we introduce Roadster - explaining what students can expect and how it will benefit them, both as drivers and passengers. We also introduce the Safer Essex Roads Partnership and their Vision Zero goal, which is to have zero deaths and serious injuries on the roads of Essex by 2040. We explain that as the next generation of drivers, they have a big role to play in achieving this.

Session 2
We introduce the probationary period – which is the 24 months immediate after passing the diving test, during which a driver only needs to clock up six penalty points before going back to L plates.

We discuss the ways in which our brains develop and the surprising impact this can have on us as young drivers. The end part discusses coping strategies to manage and reduce road risk.

Session 3
The focus of this session is the Fatal Five, which is a term used to describe the most predominant causation factors for crashes involving new drivers – these are speeding, not wearing a seatbelt, getting distracted, drink/drug driving and careless driving/showing off.

In the final part we examine some coping strategies to improve self-awareness of when we’re getting into the danger zones and then take affirmative action to reduce our risk.

Session 4
After examining what a significant financial investment becoming a driver can be, we look at how young people can support each other to make good decisions out on the roads – to protect this investment, their new freedoms and ultimately their lives. The feeling of protecting a friend can be more powerful than the desire to protect our own interests.

What you’ll need:

• A screen and speakers (with subtitles available)
• Internet access to play films
• Whiteboard or flipchart
• Teacher present to guide discussion
• Pre- and post-session evaluations (QR code or MS Form)

Evaluation is essential
Please ensure students and teachers complete the forms to support continued funding of road safety education in Essex