Mercedes-Benz has for some time set the benchmark for customer driver training with its Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience including high profile exclusive days at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit and Mount Panorama.

Now Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience is going one step further with its ‘First Gear’ program specifically tailored for young road users and open to licenced drivers aged 24 or younger. 

Importantly, First Gear – an initiative of the successful and long-standing Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience – does not introduce high-performance or race circuit-oriented skills but instead focuses on basic driving attitudes and behaviors for young, inexperienced drivers.

The First Gear program introduces and enhances key fundamentals of safe driving with a specific focus on attitudes and awareness.

Among the topics covered are:

• Understanding how a car operates
• Recognizing risks before and when driving
• Identifying and avoiding dangerous situations
• Safe vehicle spacing when driving
• Identifying the problematic attitudinal and behavioral issues often encountered by young inexperienced drivers
• Exhibition of modern technology to help them make educated decisions when purchasing a car 

These are then reinforced by practical exercises which simulate common driving challenges including adverse weather and road conditions.

“As an automotive manufacturer, we have numerous important obligations,” explained Horst von Sanden, Managing Director for Mercedes-Benz Cars at Mercedes-Benz Australia/Pacific. “One of these is safety and our company has arguably the richest history in leading this important area of vehicle development.” 

“Yet maximizing on-road safety is not the sole responsibility of our engineers and helping to achieve this important goal is something many of us can contribute to, hence our driver training programs First Gear and Mercedes-Benz Driving Experience,” he added.