An Inverness motor group has been inundated by young people keen to take advantage of an offer to provide them with driving lessons and put them through their tests.
Dicksons of Inverness announced last year that it would help get 12 young people between the ages of 17 and 24 on the road. And now the fortunate dozen, from throughout the Scottish Highlands, have been selected to take part in the scheme.
Useful pointers
They gathered for special event at Dicksons’ Nissan showroom in Carsegate Road where they had the chance to chat to staff and ask questions.
Sergeant David Miller, from Police Scotland, gave a short talk about road safety and driving in the Highlands, offering useful pointers from his experience as a road policing office and his interactions with young drivers over the years. He also hosted a useful question-and-answer session.
The successful candidates from across the Highlands and Islands were nominated by friends, family members and the communities they live in, via Dicksons’ website.
More than 700 youngsters applied before judges from the business world sifted through the applications to choose the 12 successful candidates.
Dicksons will now work with selected driving instructors to roll out the scheme, aimed at youngsters who may not have the means to fund their own lessons.
Lifetime of safe driving
Fraser Bryce, Managing Director of Dicksons of Inverness, said: “We were astonished by the level of interest in this initiative and the judges’ task in selecting 12 young people from so many applicants was extremely difficult.
“It highlights the necessity for people to get on the road in the Highlands, where private transport is the only feasible option. We hope this gives our group of young people the best start to a lifetime of safe driving.”
Dicksons, which has been based in Inverness since 1992, employs more than 70 staff at its Telford Retail Park base.