Young Driver shares top tips to be a more environmentally-friendly driver this World Environment Day
As we approach World Environment Day (5th June) the UK’s largest pre-17 driving school, Young Driver, has revealed the greener driving tips it shares with its pupils.
The programme has delivered over 1.6 million driving lessons to children from the age of four – with the youngest pupils in specially created electric Firefly sports cars, and those aged nine and over in dual-controlled Suzuki Swift Hybrid cars.
The aim of the Young Driver scheme, which operates at 70 venues nationally, is to create a safer and more responsible next generation of drivers – which includes being greener behind the wheel. The organisation won a Green Driving School of the Year Award at the Intelligent Instructor Awards 2026.
Young Driver’s top tips for greener driving in a petrol/diesel vehicle:
- Smooth driving is key to being a more environmentally friendly driver. Less heavy braking and less over-zealous acceleration means you use less fuel – which is better for both your pocket and the environment.
- Don’t overload your car. The heavier it is, the more fuel it will burn. Your car is not additional storage space – so don’t just leave things in the boot you don’t need! Make sure to remove the roof box or bike rack when not in use too, as they add drag to the car.
- Don’t speed. Speeding is bad for many reasons, but going too fast will also use extra fuel. Maintain a sensible speed for the road conditions and consider using cruise control when on a motorway or similar road.
- Make sure your tyres aren’t underinflated, as this is dangerous and means you’ll use more fuel. Check your tyre pressure and condition every week, it only takes a couple of minutes.
- Reduce your use of the air conditioning as this also increases your fuel usage, which is bad for the environment. Where possible open windows rather than putting the air con on. When driving at speed, however, the air con can be more efficient due to the air resistance created by opening a window. Remember to have it serviced too for optimum efficiency.
- Keep on top of maintenance and services, because making sure your car is running efficiently can have a real impact on the emissions from your car.
- Don’t idle. Switch off your car when stationary for more than a few moments, such as while parked or in a traffic queue. There’s no point burning fuel when it’s not needed and it also helps to improve local air quality.
- Plan your route. We’re lucky to have such easy access to up-to-the-minute travel information. Check out your route before you travel to see if there might be any issues or delay which could add extra time to your journey. And where you can, avoid travelling at the busiest times.
- Don’t stay in too low a gear. Move through the gears as quickly as possible, as higher gears offer more economical fuel consumption. Shifting up at around 2000 rpm is ideal.
- Combining journeys is a great idea, whether that’s car-sharing with someone else, or doing multiple visits or trips as part of one journey. Cold engines create more emissions than warm ones.
Ian Mulingani, managing director at Young Driver, said: “Very few young people can afford an electric car and many can’t access reliable public transport, but the vast majority care passionately about the environment. All our lessons therefore teach students how to drive to reduce their emissions and we have switched our fleet to petrol hybrid cars that achieve over 60mpg. We also developed our own Firefly Sport electric supercars for 4 – 9 year olds which can be charged directly from the sun and are fully recyclable.
“In terms of our own emissions, we plant 3,500 trees and hedge plants each year at our HQ which, over the coming decade, will offset our emissions. We are also encouraging wildlife with over 100 new bird and bat boxes, a huge wildlife pond, nine beehives and extensive planting of native wildflowers. The Young Driver team also look after eight rehomed donkeys, eight rehomed sheep and two rescue ponies. For our young pupils and for us, the environment is not an afterthought, it is a major consideration in all that we do!”
Young Driver switched its fleet from Vauxhall Corsas to the greener mild hybrid Suzuki Swifts in 2025. Alun Parry, Head of Press & PR Automobile Division for Suzuki, added: “Swift is an ideal choice for young drivers looking for their first car as it offers lower running costs and a very efficient 1.2-litre mild hybrid engine delivering low emissions, plus 64.2mpg on the WLTP combined cycle. It also offers all the tech you need as standard, as well as Suzuki’s renowned reputation for reliability.”
Young Driver creates realistic road layouts complete with junctions, roundabouts and traffic signs, allowing youngsters to build confidence and skills safely. The focus is on developing responsible attitudes alongside core driving techniques such as steering, braking and parking, without the pressures of public roads. Research shows that Young Driver past-pupils are less likely to crash when they do pass their test. In the UK one in five newly qualified drivers crashes within six months of passing their test. However, for Young Driver pupils, that figure drops dramatically to fewer than 4% – a reduction of more than 80%.
The organisation’s work to enhance its nine acre HQ site is already bearing fruit. Four traditional hedges have been created which offers habitat for birds and small mammals while also offsetting carbon emissions. The wildlife pond is two years old and boasts a variety of wildlife from newts and frogs to fish, waterborne insects and an impressive range of butterflies, dragon and damsel flies, ducks and geese. Herons visit the pond and red kites regularly drink and wash there while barn owls have moved in to the owl box. Young Driver has planted over 12,000 tree and hedge plants on site and at other locations and the team look after a range of rehomed and rescued animals.
For more information about Young Driver visit www.youngdriver.com or call 0333 577 9010.
