What age do these young drivers have to be?
The course is designed for those aged between 13 and 17, and the whole idea is to put these budding motorists behind the wheel of a car in a safe and controlled environment, hopefully instilling in them a love of driving as an improvable skill, rather than some kind of god-given right.
Why is this important?
Younger drivers are, statistically and sadly, those most at risk on the road. Recent Road Safety Authority figures show that drivers aged 16 to 25 accounted for 27 per cent of those killed on Irish roads in the first half of 2026. Opel and Mondello hope that this course will contribute to the safety of younger drivers. Mondello Park says: “Highlighting the role early education and practical experience can play in preparing teenagers for the road, Mondello Park advocates road safety education should begin long before a young person takes their first driving lesson.”
Which cars will the drivers get to use?
Opel is supplying a fleet of Mokka Electric SUVs for the young drivers to use. They will be put through their paces in practical on- and off-track sessions in dual-controlled vehicles, helping participants develop the skills and awareness to become safer pedestrians, cyclists and, ultimately, drivers. The ‘Road Ready’ element covers essential road safety knowledge, responsible road use, the process of applying for a driving licence and preparation for the driver theory test.
Is this just an excuse to get young people on a race track?
No, it’s genuinely not. The racetrack at Mondello is set up to simulate real-world road conditions, complete with signs and junctions for participants to navigate. Instructors also use circuit safety features, including gravel traps and tyre barriers, to demonstrate the important differences between driving on a racetrack and on public roads.
Roddy Greene, Managing Director of Mondello Park, said: “Safety is at the heart of everything we do at Mondello Park, both in motorsport and driving. Recent incidents involving dangerous driving and the sharing of reckless driving content on social media are deeply concerning and reinforce the importance of talking to young people about road safety. By the time somebody begins learning to drive at 17, many of their attitudes towards cars, speed, and road use have already started to form. There is real value in beginning that education earlier. We have a unique environment here where a young person can experience being responsible for a car without traffic, pedestrians, or the countless other variables they will eventually encounter as a learner driver. They can learn what braking feels like, how much concentration driving requires, and how quickly things happen from behind the wheel while an experienced instructor remains in control of the car.”
How many people can take the course?
Around 2,500 teenagers will take part in Early-Drive Electrified by Opel each year, with many places booked by schools for Transition Year students as part of their wider education. The programme is also popular among families, with parents bringing teenagers — including many 13- and 14-year-olds — to experience being behind the wheel for the first time under the guidance of a qualified instructor. Plus, it’s good fun, let’s not forget that.
Roddy Greene said: “No single programme can solve the challenges we are seeing on Irish roads. What we can do is help give young people greater awareness, better habits, and a stronger understanding of the responsibility that comes with driving before they take to a public road.”
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