YOUNGSTERS are being offered the chance to test their driving skills in the safety of schools as part of a national roadshow.
More than 300 County Durham students, many of them under 17, will have the chance to try out driving school BSM's driving simulator, which was developed at a cost of more than £500,000.
The machine, based on a Vauxhall Corsa, will be in schools and colleges in the county throughout next week, enabling youngsters to develop basic skills in steering, clutch control, gear operation, moving off and stopping, before they venture on to the road.
The roadshow, which forms part of BSM's road safety programme, also allows students to demonstrate their skills using a computerised bank of driving theory test questions and in a series of hazard perception exercises.
Roadshow manager Andy Brown said: "Learning to drive is a number one priority for most young people. The roadshow gives students the chance to drive in a safe and controlled environment and to have fun at the same time."
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