Teaching car control is the easy bit, real driving is done when we have to mix with other road users who have different skills and abilities.  Teaching car control or technical ability is okay at 16 when the youngsters have not got long to wait before they are able to drive on the roads.  I agree with Kevin Clinton from RoSPA, far too much emphasis is placed on passing a test quickly and not enough on learning to drive well and stay accident free.  It is all about attitude not technical ability.  It is far more expensive to deal with a road traffic collision than pay for quality driving lessons and have enough lessons for independent driving, not just learning test routes and passing a test.  I just cannot see how anyone can say you will be a safer driver because you have been off road driving around cones.

Learners beware if you are only going on test routes, you may well pass your test, but 1 in 5 people are involved in a crash.

more on the article here http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8525796.stm