Drive It Day
Drive-it Day History
National Drive-It Day was created by the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs in 2005.
Held each year on a Sunday in April, it is the day when historic vehicle enthusiasts and the public at large have the opportunity to celebrate the 'One Thousand Mile Trial'. This was an 11-day round-Britain public test, that started on 23 April 1900 to "prove the viability" of the then new-fangled invention - the motor car.
At the time, few believed that the invention would be suitable for use and most people had never even seen a car (much like 'flying taxis' today). The 'trial' started on 23 April 1900 and cars were limited to the then legal maximum of 14mph.
Organised by the Automobile Club, there were 83 entries of which 65 made it to the starting point at Grosvenor Place, London. Six days in, by the time Edinburgh was reached, 51 cars were still running and 35 vehicles made it back to London, having covered 1,000 miles in the 11 days.
Details of the original event, courtesy of Graces Guide to British Industrial History, are at www.gracesguide.co.uk/1900_One_Thousand_Mile_Trial and the site also has links to The Autocar magazine for the year of the event at www.gracesguide.co.uk/The_Autocar_1900
Today, Drive-it Day is an opportunity to raise awareness and support amongst the public for the historic vehicle movement, as part of our ongoing campaign to keep transport heritage on UK roads, without restriction.
In recent years we have entered a partnership with NSPCC to raise funds for its Childline service, focussed on 'Drive-it Day'.
We do this by selling ‘rally plaques’ that people can buy to put on their car (or 'Ride-it Day' plates for motorcycles), to show their support.
All profit from these goes to Childline and in 2023 (donations included) we raised £51,000.
How to take part
Individual clubs organise their own runs (often to a venue of interest), while a number of locations - such as museums - host events to which you can tak your vehicle.
Clubs normally welcome non-members to join in and a list of all the events and locations on the Sunday that we are aware of are here https://www.driveitday.co.uk/events - along with a handy map to help you find the nearest event to yourself.
Clubs and venues are encouraged to let the Federation know their plans. The easiest method is to post the event here https://www.fbhvc.co.uk/list-your-club-event
Drive it Day 2024 - Sunday 21st April
For more information and to order online your Drive it Day or Ride it Day vehicle plates please visit Drive It Day | Yesterday's Vehicles Supporting Today's Children
Dates for future Year's Drive It Days are:
2025 - Sunday 27th April
2026 - Sunday 26th April
2027 - Sunday 25th April
2028 - Sunday 23rd April
2029 - Sunday 22nd April
2030 - Sunday 21st April
Supporting Childline
FBHVC will continue to support the NSPCC’s Childline® to raise money as an integrated part of Drive it Day in order to use our movement to contribute to a section of society that has needed huge help and support during the pandemic – vulnerable children. Lockdown has magnified all sorts of societal problems and the long days and weeks trapped in broken homes or abusive environments have put vulnerable children even more at risk.
Cost of Living Crisis
The cost of living crisis is being felt across the country. And we know that children are feeling it too. It's estimated that one third of children in the UK live in poverty. Poverty puts enormous stress on families which can leave children at risk of harm. Calls to our Childline service have already shown that children and young people are well aware of the strain that the cost of living is having on their parents and carers.
That's why we're here to listen to their worries and provide crucial support. Meanwhile, our local services are working directly with families who are already feeling overwhelmed. But the demand for these services is growing, and we'll struggle to continue our work without the help of our supporters.
We know that times are tough for everybody right now. We mean it when we say that every donation means so much to us, and that every pound counts.
Please show your support today and purchase a Drive it Day or Ride it Day plate- because every one sold can make a big difference to a child or young persons life.
BBC’s Naga Munchetty visited NSPCC Childline's London base and interviewed staff and volunteers. Here are some of the comments from that visit...
Pauline has volunteered for Childline for 15 years. She and her colleagues have noticed a change in the type of calls they’ve been receiving recently. “Over the last few weeks we have been saying to each other there are a lot of children who are feeling hopeless.
“Life is very difficult for adults, and children are seeing that,” she says.
Barry is a supervisor at Childline, he says there’s a similar picture at all 12 of their UK bases. “We’re seeing contacts come through where young people are concerned about the cost of living crisis…it might be subtle, from people who are picking up vibes at home from mum and dad or whoever looks after them, showing that they are concerned about the future,” he says.
73% of the children who responded to a recent survey said they are worried about their family having less money for the things they may need in the next few months.
Ruth has worked as a volunteer at Childline for 30 years. She says “young people have had a triple whammy recently and there’s still a knock-on effect,” following the Covid pandemic. “When parents are busying with their own stresses, to have someone on the other end of the phone to really listen can be so powerful for a young person.
“Every week I feel a sense of pride as a Childline volunteer,” Ruth says.
Visit Drive It Day | Yesterday's Vehicles Supporting Today's Children to purchase your fundraising vehicle plate, order online here. Please make a difference.
Please take a moment to view these videos recorded by Childline® counsellors.
Colin takes a moment to share with us a gripping story. He took part on the very first Childline® shift and is still a volunteer today. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd-aOElMSko
In the words of Sir Peter Wanless, CEO of the NSPCC “Childline® is a crucial service on which young people can rely - day or night - whatever problems or dangers they are facing.”
Please support Childline® now via our JustGiving.com link.
Ride it Day Vehicle Plates
For video clips and pictures, see the links below
YouTube videos, uploaded by individuals & clubs, are here
For Instagram users posts here
ForTwitter users, search on #FBHVC #DriveItDay
* DRIVE-IT DAY and the associated logo are registered trademarks of the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs Limited.
Details may be found at: https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00002445276 and https://trademarks.ipo.gov.uk/ipo-tmcase/page/Results/1/UK00003062134
The Federation grants permission to clubs and organisations to use its trademarks to promote Drive It Day. However, in using the branding, the Federation should be acknowledged and the trademarks marked as such.
