FIVE years before he can legally drive, a Derbyshire boy has been named Britain's best young driver.
Twelve-year-old Callum McNeilly won the title in the 2015 Young Driver Challenge, held specifically for the under 17s.
Finalists from across the country competed in two age categories, 11 to 13 and 14 to 16 and Callum, of Swadlincote, was the winner in the youngest age category.
Callum, who goes to Paulet High School, in Burton, impressed the judges with his control of the vehicle, precise manoeuvres and quick thinking behind the wheel.
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He won 20 Young Driver lessons, 20 post-17 driving lessons courtesy of Goodyear, a Young Driver at School session for him and his classmates and £500 off a car insurance premium, courtesy of Young Driver sponsor Admiral.
Other youngsters in the region also competed in the final, including Billy Treadwell, 14, who also attends Paulet High School, Sam Hinds, 13, of Hatton, and Daniel Holloway, 14, from Mickleover.
Callum said: "I can't believe I won. When I reached the final, I was extremely happy to have got that far but winning topped it off really well. There were some excellent competitors and it was a tough ordeal. The level of skill between everybody was very high.
"I was put to the test with various different manoeuvres and driving skills, performing as well as possible in areas such as parallel parking, tight steering, emergency braking and slaloming as well as taking on independent driving.
"I have loved cars from a very young age and have always wanted to drive. When I did my first Young Driver lesson in September last year, I was extremely excited to be in control of a car under road-like conditions. It may seem odd to many people to be driving at the age of 12, but I personally believe that it will have a huge impact on driver safety when taking to the roads at 17."
Kim Stanton, who heads the Young Driver scheme, said: "I'd like to say a huge well-done to all of our finalists – and of course especially to Callum, who really did deserve to take home the title. He gave a fantastic demonstration of just how good a driver a young person can be and he should be very proud of his skills behind the wheel."
Mini, 11, the daughter of motoring expert and TV presenter Quentin Willson was in the final, having taken seven lessons.
Mr Willson said: "Both Mini and my son, who is 17, have had driving lessons with Young Driver.
"Four hundred lives are lost each year because of accidents involving young drivers – which are often down to inexperience.
"As a father and a road user I think learning as early as possible and for as long as possible is vital. You can't learn the skills of hazard-perception in just a few short weeks of lessons, and I believe that every child should be trained at an early age to better understand the seriousness, danger and responsibilities of driving."
Twelve-year-old Callum McNeilly won the title in the 2015 Young Driver Challenge, held specifically for the under 17s.
Finalists from across the country competed in two age categories, 11 to 13 and 14 to 16 and Callum, of Swadlincote, was the winner in the youngest age category.
Callum, who goes to Paulet High School, in Burton, impressed the judges with his control of the vehicle, precise manoeuvres and quick thinking behind the wheel.
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He won 20 Young Driver lessons, 20 post-17 driving lessons courtesy of Goodyear, a Young Driver at School session for him and his classmates and £500 off a car insurance premium, courtesy of Young Driver sponsor Admiral.
Other youngsters in the region also competed in the final, including Billy Treadwell, 14, who also attends Paulet High School, Sam Hinds, 13, of Hatton, and Daniel Holloway, 14, from Mickleover.
Callum said: "I can't believe I won. When I reached the final, I was extremely happy to have got that far but winning topped it off really well. There were some excellent competitors and it was a tough ordeal. The level of skill between everybody was very high.
"I was put to the test with various different manoeuvres and driving skills, performing as well as possible in areas such as parallel parking, tight steering, emergency braking and slaloming as well as taking on independent driving.
"I have loved cars from a very young age and have always wanted to drive. When I did my first Young Driver lesson in September last year, I was extremely excited to be in control of a car under road-like conditions. It may seem odd to many people to be driving at the age of 12, but I personally believe that it will have a huge impact on driver safety when taking to the roads at 17."
Kim Stanton, who heads the Young Driver scheme, said: "I'd like to say a huge well-done to all of our finalists – and of course especially to Callum, who really did deserve to take home the title. He gave a fantastic demonstration of just how good a driver a young person can be and he should be very proud of his skills behind the wheel."
Mini, 11, the daughter of motoring expert and TV presenter Quentin Willson was in the final, having taken seven lessons.
Mr Willson said: "Both Mini and my son, who is 17, have had driving lessons with Young Driver.
"Four hundred lives are lost each year because of accidents involving young drivers – which are often down to inexperience.
"As a father and a road user I think learning as early as possible and for as long as possible is vital. You can't learn the skills of hazard-perception in just a few short weeks of lessons, and I believe that every child should be trained at an early age to better understand the seriousness, danger and responsibilities of driving."
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