Overview

• Ollie Bird followed roughly 30 hours of YouTube tutorials from professional instructors, matching the preparation time recommended by his original tutor.
• He used a home driving simulator and supervised family drives to sharpen clutch control and familiarise himself with road signs.
• He passed his theory exam on May 16—the day after his 17th birthday—and cleared the practical test on June 6, both at the first attempt.
• By limiting paid instruction to a single £40 lesson, he reduced his training expenses by more than £1,000 compared with typical tuition costs.
• His success highlights the growing role of free online resources and affordable simulation in lowering barriers to driver education.