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Since launching two years ago, Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy’s revolutionary approach to driving lessons and its unrivalled high standards has achieved an incredible first time pass rate of 78% - almost double the national average. To mark its second anniversary success of the only driving school to be operated by a car manufacturer driving school, 2008 Formula 1™ World Champion and Driving Academy ambassador, Lewis Hamilton, will be giving an exclusive team talk to learners this summer at an exclusive event on 4 July.

Since launching two years ago, Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy’s revolutionary approach to driving lessons and its unrivalled high standards has achieved an incredible first time pass rate of 78% - almost double the national average.  To mark its second anniversary success of the only driving school to be operated by a car manufacturer driving school, 2008 Formula 1™ World Champion and Driving Academy ambassador, Lewis Hamilton, will be giving an exclusive team talk to learners this summer at an exclusive event on 4 July.

Robert East, Operations Manager, Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy commented;  The Mercedes-Benz name has been leading the way in automotive innovation for 125 years and now we’re doing the same for driving tuition. We are delighted with the success of our first two years and will continue to work towards dramatically improving safety on our roads by creating more responsible drivers.

Driving Lessons are living up to the test
The Driving Academy aims to teach learners how to drive, not just past their driving test.  Each of its 5000 students have been coached by the team that has been trained according to HERMES - the latest EU research standard.  This gives dedicated focus so learners can understand for themselves how everything from behaviour behind the wheel and distractions can add to risks on the road.   This enhances an individuals learning experience by giving the ability to understand and find the best way of dealing with road scenarios and developing skills, rather than following a belief of one size fits all. 

The Driving Academy believe in beginning driving tuition before 17 years old and getting as much practice as possible behind the wheel.  This gives experience that has an important part to play in being a safe and responsible driver, but only when done in the correct way.  Because of this the Driving Academy offer ways to create and harness valuable experience – Pre Road and Parent & Partner sessions:

Starting young
Pre-Road sessions use the unique facilities at Mercedes-Benz World and are tailored for anyone over 15 years old.  This provides young drivers with highly valuable experience from day one.  By following a special curriculum designed to prepare young for the public roads, the coach ensures that the incredible experience of driving before turning 17 years old is done so to develop the right attitude and safety messages in preparation for the public road. 

Practice makes perfect when becoming a responsible driver
Building on experience is valuable to provisional licence holders. Its simple - the more practice and experience behind the wheel a learner can get between lessons, the more confidence and ability they have to deal with road situations.  The Driving Academy have developed the Parent & Partner course to assists learners and the parent or driving partner that accompanies them to enhance the and support the paid for lessons to get maximum value for money.  This recognises that learning to drive is an investment and as with any investment it is all about getting the maximum return.

The importance of RoadSense
Aimed at schools or youth groups, RoadSense has been developed to show that everyone is responsible for road safety, whether a driver, cyclist or pedestrian.  The benefits have been proved by from a scientific research that the Driving Academy ran in the Netherlands that showed the programme has a strong and positive influence on behaviour.  Attendees to the half day course will also get behind the wheel of a car themselves to fully understand how emotions and distraction heighten the risk on the road, therefore demonstrating the why positive attitudes and behaviours are so important. 

Becoming a Franchisee
The success of the Driving Academy means that it continues to grow in the South East with longer term plans to expand to other areas of the country.  There is a unique franchisee package available for experienced ADI’s to share the Driving Academy vision of  accident free motoring through the latest revolutionary coaching methods in driving tuition.  For more information please contact Kate Smith kate.smith@mercedes.co.uk, or call 01932 373936.

For more information on all courses and special offers available through Mercedes-Benz Driving Academy visit www.mbdrivingacademy.com or call 0845 123 0055.

Notes to Editor:

Students can enrol with the Driving Academy from £80 for a one hour Pre-Road module session. Licence Module road sessions are available at £35 for a one hour driving lesson, and the three hour Parent Partner Package is available for £225.  RoadSense courses are held at Mercedes-Benz World, Surrey, and are subsidised at £25 available for schools and youth groups only.

Everyone who enrols in the Driving Academy Summer School will have a chance to win some amazing prizes.  Summer School packages are:
- Six hour Pre Road Package at £370
- Six or twelve hour Licence package at £220 and  £395 respectively,

Book before 30th June 2011 and all participants will receive an invitation to meet racing hero Lewis Hamilton at an exclusive Driving Academy event on 4 July.

In addition and for anyone enrolling in the Summer School before 9 September - participants in the pre road package will also have the chance to win a 40 hours Licence package and participants of the Licence package will be entered to win their very own smart car.