AN EVESHAM teenager has been praised for his safe driving skills more than two years before he can hold a licence.

Prince Henry's High School pupil Jack Jervis, aged 14, from Evesham, took part in the Young Driver Challenge 2021 as one of 40 finalists under the age of 17.

He had earned a place at the event held at the British Motor Museum and competed in the 14 to 16 age group, tackling a variety of driving activities including reversing, parking, manoeuvring a slalom, handling junctions and independent driving.

The aim of the challenge is to create a safer next generation of drivers – in the UK one in five newly qualified drivers has an accident within six months of passing their test but this drops dramatically among those who have had an early taste of life behind the wheel.

Jack said: “I had such a brilliant day, it was great to spend so much time behind the wheel with new instructors.

"I really love learning to drive and I’m proud of how well I’ve done to get to the final. It’s great to think that I’m improving my skills all the time so by the time I’m 17 I’ll already have that head start of knowing how to safely control a car.”

TV presenter and motoring expert Quentin Willson awarded the finalists their prizes. All finalists received a medal, a complimentary 60-minute Young Driver gift voucher and a signed copy of Mr Willson’s latest book Learn to Drive without Tears and Tantrums.

Sue Waterfield, head of marketing at Young Driver, said: “It’s been a great final, the drivers all performed amazingly. Jack should feel very proud of himself, it’s a fantastic achievement.

"Anyone watching the finalists drive can see how beneficial it is learning at such a young age. These teens take the responsibility of being a safe driver very seriously and they show great control of the cars.

"They’ll take that forward with them as they learn on the road at 17 and then as qualified drivers but beyond showing us how great their driving skills are, they’ve all had a really great day with lots of smiles and a real sense of pride and achievement which is what it’s all about.”