Who First Gear is aimed at
First Gear pre-driver training days are available for young people aged 16, either living in or in education in Derbyshire.
They offer valuable information to help participants prepare for their theory, hazard perception and practical driving tests as well as getting participants to consider how they'll continue driving safely once they've passed their test.
The practical driving sessions are tailored to each young person. The instructors recognise that some young people may have driven off-road before and some young people may have never driven before.
What happens on the training days
The day is split into 4 sessions, 2 of these will be practical driving sessions and 2 of these will be classroom sessions.
The instructors are asked to cover the following elements, but if these have been previously learnt or are picked up very quickly, the instructors will also try some manoeuvres with the participants as well:
- moving off safely and correctly
- steering an accurate course
- changing up and down gears
- braking safely and coming to a stop
Participants will drive a slightly different course during each practical session. The course starts off as a very simple oval in the morning. It then changes to a 'figure of 8' in the afternoon to enable participants to practice stopping or giving way for other vehicles. The afternoon session also builds on the elements learnt in the morning session.
The instructors will also go through some basic under bonnet checks.
The classroom sessions
The classroom sessions, run by road safety officers, have been created to offer key information to allow participants to get off to a strong start with their driving lessons and to prepare them for their theory and hazard perception tests.
How young people can gain more experience to make them a safer driver is also discussed as well as how aspects of life can affect their driving and how this can be avoided.
Participants are given a workbook, which is theirs to keep, where they will answer questions such as:
- Why do you want to learn to drive?
- How do you feel about back box technology?
The workbook also offers further information on the topics covered and provides useful website links for both participants, and parents and guardians.
The main topics covered are:
- the importance of choosing the right driving instructor
- the Highway Code and general information regarding the theory, hazard perception and practical tests
- the cost of getting a licence and running a car
- motorway driving
- pass plus and black box telematics
- the New Driver Act
- the legalities of car modifications
- knowing your vehicle and vehicle maintenance
- mindful driving and the effects of fatigue, overconfidence and peer pressure
Course length
The day runs from 9am to 3.30pm with arrival from 8.45am.
Cost
The course costs £85.99.
Participants receive 2, 1-hour practical off-road driving sessions with a fully qualified driving instructor in a dual controlled car, and 2, 1-hour classroom theory sessions.
Participants will take away a copy of the Highway Code which they can use to start preparing for their theory test and also a student booklet with information relating to the classroom topics and useful websites to look at.
Refreshments and a buffet lunch are also provided.
Date and location
We're still confirming additional driving instructors for 22 March 2026 at County Hall, Matlock. If this date is of interest, if it's confirmed, email first.gear@derbyshire.gov.uk.
The dates that are now confirmed, and can now be booked using the link on this page, are as follows.
Dates when our instructors will be in manual vehicles only
- Saturday 11 April 2026 at County Hall, Matlock DE4 3AG
- Sunday 19 April 2026 at Derbyshire Police and Fire Joint Training Centre, Butterley Hall, Ripley DE5 3RS
- Sunday 2 August 2026 at Derbyshire Police and Fire Joint Training Centre, Butterley Hall, Ripley DE5 3RS
- Sunday 13 September 2026 at County Hall, Matlock DE4 3AG
- Sunday 20 September 2026 at Derbyshire Police and Fire Joint Training Centre, Butterley Hall, Ripley DE5 3RS
- Saturday 10 October 2026 at County Hall, Matlock DE4 3AG
Dates when our instructors will be in automatic vehicles only
- Saturday 11 July 2026 at County Hall, Matlock DE4 3AG
What to bring
Participants should wear comfortable clothing, so no high heels, flip flops or sliders.
If participants wear glasses or if they sometimes need glasses, they'll need to bring them on the day. The instructors will do an eyesight check before any driving commences to check participants are able to read a number plate from 20m away.
If you'd like more information or advice, email first.gear@derbyshire.gov.uk or telephone: 01629 539790.
Book your First Gear driver training