Part of VicRoads' Road Smart program, students learnt more about safe driving, road systems and shared driver responsibility.

Regional Roads Victoria acting regional director Brad Pryor said 50 students took part in controlled driving sessions at the Stawell Airport.

"For young people in rural areas, getting your licence is a major milestone in most young peoples' lives - it opens up major opportunities in terms of education, work and social activities," Mr Pryor said.

"The Road Smart program gives students the opportunity to drive a car with an accredited instructor and experience situations similar to those they could come across on the road.

"It's important for young people to understand shared driver responsibility and how every decision can affect their own safety and the safety of other road users."

Mr Pryor said the Stawell Secondary College students were the first in western Victoria to take part in the in-car, off-road component of the Road Smart program.

College assistant principal Aaron Dalziel said it program was a fantastic opportunity for the Year 10 students.

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"The reason this part of the program is done off-road is so the students do not need to have a learner's permit in place," he said.

"It was a good introductory opportunity for those students to get behind the wheel of a car with a trained and qualified instructor and have that first experience driving in a really safe and positive environment."

Mr Dalziel said the feedback he received from the students was "very positive".

"Obviously they thought it was fun and a bit different to normal school work," he said.

"Because of the environment, it was conducted in students didn't have to worry about other cars and road users.

"We've worked closely with VicRoads and grateful for the support from them and Northern Grampians Shire to be able to offer a number of programs across every year levels so our students have the necessary skills needed to be confident on the roads."

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