Warwickshire parents offered free driver webinar on 1 October

Parents and carers supporting a young person through their driving test can join a free Warwickshire webinar on Thursday, 1 October. Held online through Microsoft Teams from 6pm to 7pm, the session will be followed by an optional question-and-answer period until 7.15pm. Places must be reserved in advance using the Webinar Registration Form.

The event, titled Together on the Driving for Life Journey – Parental Support for Young Drivers Beyond the Test, is aimed primarily at parents and carers of 17- to 24-year-olds who are approaching their test or passed within the past year. Warwickshire County Council is also encouraging young drivers to attend alongside their families.

A practical look at the first year after the test

The interactive session focuses on the period when a newly qualified motorist begins driving without an instructor or supervising adult. The council identifies the first few months of independent driving as the highest-risk stage for new motorists, with particular attention paid to the first six months after passing.

Rather than treating the driving test as the end of the learning process, the webinar will examine how families can remain involved while allowing a young motorist to develop confidence and independence. It will also consider how parents can discuss progress and safety without creating arguments or friction at home.

Cllr Stephen Shaw, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for transport and planning, said the real learning begins when young people take to the road independently. He described parents and carers as having a vital influence on driving habits after the L-plates come off.

Night driving, passengers and distractions on the agenda

The webinar will cover several situations that newly qualified drivers and their families may need to manage:

• Driving at night and gradually gaining experience in higher-risk conditions.
• Carrying friends and dealing with the effects of peer passengers.
• Recognising and reducing in-car distractions.
• Understanding the continuing influence of parents after the driving test.
• Maintaining constructive conversations about driving progress.
• Setting gradual milestones intended to support safe independence.

The council says this family support can contribute to its longer-term aim of reducing casualties on Warwickshire’s roads. The emphasis is on giving families practical ways to stay involved after formal lessons have ended.

Booking details for the Microsoft Teams session

No travel is required because the event is online. The source does not provide specific accessibility arrangements. Anyone wishing to attend must reserve a free place in advance before joining the Microsoft Teams webinar on 1 October.

Source: Warwickshire County Council