Inverness teenager is first to pass driving test assisted by local car dealership Dicksons’ unique scheme
The first youngster to pass his driving test in a pioneering scheme from motor company Dicksons of Inverness is 17-year-old Daniel Russell.
American Football fan Daniel says the opportunity to get on the road has meant he can take the sport he loves to other areas of the Highlands.
The Inverness College student, and Highland Wildcats player, said: “It’s really great for me to be on the road. It has opened up so many opportunities for me and has allowed me to make memories with my friends by going places not accessible by public transport.
“I’ve also been able to help go around teach children the sport of American Football, coaching Dingwall Primary School, to become Scottish Flag Champions.
“It helped me save up to get my car so many thanks to Dicksons for paying for my lessons and for this opportunity.”
Dicksons had initiated the scheme last year to put 12 young people between the ages of 17-24 through their driving lessons and tests.
The successful candidates from across the Highlands and Islands were nominated by friends, family, and the community they live in, via a page on the company’s website.
Well over 700 applied to fill the 12 spaces.
Dicksons Managing Director Fraser Bryce said: “Congratulations to Daniel and we hope the others in the scheme follow suit soon.
“We have had great reports from the instructors on their progress and I’m confident that with the training they have had, they will enjoy many years of safe driving on the roads locally and further afield.”
The Dicksons On The Road scheme was unveiled at an event at the company’s Nissan Showroom in January where the youngsters got the chance to chat to staff and ask any questions.
Sergeant David Miller, from Police Scotland, also gave a short talk about road safety and driving in the Highlands, offering invaluable pointers from his experience as a road policing office and his interaction with young drivers over the years.
Dicksons then partnered with selected driving school instructors to roll out the scheme.
One of them, Carl Pearce, from Reach for the Cars, was Daniel’s instructor.
He said: “This scheme is a lifeline to a lot of youngsters as they find it difficult to find the funds for driving lessons, so a big thank you for that, and I hope it will continue.”
