We love Drive it Day (and Ride it Day)! There is no better way to kick-start the historic vehicle season for another year. This year the event is even more special as it is 125 years since the 1,000 Mile Trial, the event that the national awareness day commemorates.
The date for Drive It Day 2025 is Sunday, 27th April 2025. This is later than usual to avoid a clash with Easter.
History
The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs created Drive It Day in 2005 as the historic vehicle movement’s national awareness day. It is an occasion for historic vehicle enthusiasts and the public to celebrate the One Thousand Mile Trial. The trial was first organised in 1900 to prove the viability of the motor vehicle invention.
Fundraising
It’s also a chance to raise awareness and support amongst the public for the historic vehicle movement and to keep transport heritage (classic cars and classic motorcycles) on UK roads. All whilst fund-raising for the NSPCC’s vital Childline service.
Communications Director, Wayne Scott explains, “National Drive it Day is the national awareness day for the historic vehicle community. It promotes the importance of preserving transport heritage to the public. It is also a chance to show what contribution our movement can bring to broader society by raising money for a charitable cause.
Our fundraising target is to fund more ‘One Unforgettable Days’. This is the name given to the 24 hours of operation by the Childline call centre that charitable endeavours like ours have funded. We exceeded this in previous years, so we’d like to do even better this year!
This year marks 20 years since the Federation’s first National Drive it Day and 125 years since the 1000-mile Trial. This event provided the first opportunity to prove the worthiness of the motor car to a country where people were not only sceptical about its future but, in many cases, were yet to see one of these new machines for themselves! It proved the latest transport technology and provided the awareness that created the British motor industry.”
This year, the FBHVC hopes to exceed last year’s charitable total of over £50,000 to contribute much-needed funds to NSPCC Childline. Childline is the official charity for National Drive it Day for the fourth year running.
You can contribute by purchasing your official Drive It Day 2025 plate. Available now in a range of sizes to suit your vehicle – via www.driveitday.co.uk
