Am I crazy to give my lad driving lessons? | Alun Newman

I bought an old car recently, as Lou (co-host) and myself have been bumped up to the BBC Radio Solent's Breakfast Show.

This is great news, however, it means very early starts and the train companies are not willing to provide transportation at 4.30am, apparently there simply isn’t the demand?

Therefore, I needed a car and it coincided with my son learning to drive.

He showed no interest when he turned 17 and along with several of his friends, said there was little point as it’s so expensive.

Anyway, a few of his friends passed their tests and his eyes have widened to the possibility of independence.

There was no putting off our first seat change.

I kept saying ‘after you’ve had your first lesson’ and that moment came and went.

I feel that if I was being totally honest with my son, I’d rather not have him in the drivers’ seat until he’s about 30.

I chose a nearby industrial estate for our first venture.

We changed seats and I decided that I was going to come across as a laid-back dad, super positive and happy-go-lucky.

I did a basic overview on the different ‘biting points’ of clutches and then took an emotional step back.

I need to say at this point that I carry emotional baggage on this issue.

My own family legend still recalls the day my dad took my sister out for her first ‘in-house’ driving lesson in a Mini Clubman.

Famously, my dad reappeared 20 minutes after leaving but without his trainee in tow.

Due to a heated exchange at a T-junction my sister stormed off.

I was going to be different.

Although at first I had little option of any excitement as it seemed that pulling away was a jump too far.

I noticed that I had a permanent wince on my face, as if I was about to be operated on but was fully conscious.

My right foot was pushing down so hard on the imaginary brake I had pushed the carpet matt up under the glove box.

As we fully started to jump around the car park, I noticed that my had was gripping the handbrake like a tightly zipped flesh and bone cable-tie.

After 20 minutes, we managed second gear and as we turned into another parking area the previously discussed the 10 to two steering wheel hand position had gone for toffee.

I glanced at my son and it was like he was in a high stakes game of Twister.

We were heading for the entrance porch of Recycle-Now and me shouting ‘brake!’ wasn’t having the desired effect.

In a failed gear change down, we stalled.

Thank you God.

‘Hey, it’s not easy, I was the same when I was learning…’ I commented.

I assumed I was. It was so long ago.

We laughed together and decided that was enough for today – or this life and we’d try again after a few more lessons – I’d say 200 would be ideal.

We said goodbye to the remains of the clutch we had left behind and made our way home.

I thought to myself, you can’t keep them in cotton wool for ever.

You can only surround them in air bags.