Here’s what happened when I brought the family to Ireland’s first driving school for kids

I passed my driving test at the relatively late age of 24 (that's Dubs for ya).

That's now close-to a decade ago (eeek!) but at least back in 2008 you could get your provisional in order, sort our insurance, and then jump in a vehicle and away you (gingerly) go. Nadda bother. Things are a little more convoluted these days (read: 'regulated') - and seemingly your kids are never too young to get to grips with the rules of the road. Step forward the great-fun-altogether Nissan Driving School at Tayto Park. Earlier this month, HerFamily ran a piece heralding the arrival of the attraction - and the response was so amazing that as editor of HerFamily I felt duty-bound to go, ahem, road-test it for myself. The launch took place at the weekend; Tayto Park closes for January and February but has now reopened in time for the Easter school holidays - complete with its most-recent automobile crowd-pleaser. "The Nissan Driving School at Tayto Park gives kids the chance to learn the rules of the road and to test their driving skills on a purpose-built, road marked traffic course before leaving with their own replica driving licence," we were told in advance. And after giving it a whirl I can confirm it's every bit as good as you - and the little ones - might imagine. Upon arrival, the kids - a girl aged almost five and a boy of two-and-a-half - were invited to get their picture taken for a licence up against a green screen. Felix, the toddler, had a tantrum in advance - so he looks pretty sulky in his pic. Meanwhile, Giulia, the soon-to-be five-year-old, was wearing a green coat and so blended into the background... resulting in her having a floating head and no body on her licence. No matter - we were invited to sit down and watch a short video on traffic lights, stop signs, and driving on the left-hand side of the road before we were allowed out on the track. My pair were suitably transfixed by the animated footage - as were the rest of the budding drivers, who seemed aged up to about nine or ten. What's great about the school is that the kids are genuinely invited to drive around roads and junction by themselves. The cars pick up a fair pace when they get going - but everyone is strapped in and all the vehicles have bumpers. That and there are oodles of Nissan supervisors dotted around the track so even six-year-old wannabe petrolheads are kept in check. I felt my son was too young to actually effectively maneuver the car himself, but I managed to squish in and he sat beside me as I took to the road (*Disclaimer: I'm not actually sure if this is allowed but nobody stopped me). The course can accommodate 20 Nissan cars - which come in blue, yellow, orange, and red - at any one time. Which should mean you're never queuing for too long. Once we were done we collected our licences; they come in a lanyard so the kids can wear them around the park afterwards. If you thinking you might end up going mad over the Easter break, I reckon Tayto Park is well-worth a visit. As well as the just-launched driving school, there are plenty of rides, playgrounds, animals, and entertainment. At this time of year, it works out at €28 per person if you book online. That gets you entry to the park and unlimited rides and access to the attractions. So yes, probably a bit of a treat or an occasional excursion - but arrive early and you can happily spend all day there. See Taytopark.ie.