Residential Intensive Driving Lessons

Bobby2

Please could I ask for your comments/experiences of intensive driving lessons I need to pass my test quickly and although I have had lessons before, I never went as far as putting in for a test (too scared LOL) Many thanks

flyer

Bobby2 wrote: »

Please could I ask for your comments/experiences of intensive driving lessons I need to pass my test quickly and although I have had lessons before, I never went as far as putting in for a test (too scared LOL) Many thanks

My son has just come home and is talking about doing it. Does anyone have any experience? Is it good/bad?

Mips

Absolute con.

Don't waste your money.

You aren't guaranteed to pass, you will take a last minute cancellation driving test in an area you may have never driven...

.. so will walk out with a big fail and have spent maybe £1000.

jd82

The pass rates show that the pass rate on these courses are much lower than those who have had normal lessons.

Learning to drive takes a lot of time, you need to deal with all sorts of different situations which may happen at different times of the year (snow, ice, hot weatheer etc).

There is no point on fluking it passing the test and then causing a major accident the day later.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

dont even considder it its a waste of time and as a parent youd want him/her to build a skill to be safe behind the wheel these crash courses do exactly that learn you how to crash because the skill isnt there thats needs to be built!

mad_as_a_march_hare

Don't even think about it, learning to drive is a skill for life, and it takes time to master it, you would be just throwing your money away.

DaveF327

The general feeling of this thread is a fairly negative one, but to help people make an informed decision about whether an intensive course will save you money or not, let's break down and analyse a few points:

Dippychick wrote: »

Absolute con.

Although the schools offering intensive courses aren't out to deliberately con anyone, they do sell courses by playing on your confidence, rather than experience. They create an impression of achieving a goal within a short space of time, so most people will assume "fewer lessons, then a pass". Those who think like this will not succeed. The course is really trying to condense the same amount of lessons an "average" person needs into a week or so, meaning very long hours per day inside a car, usually in rotation with other trainees who will be with you all day. The problem is there is no such thing as an "average" person, so anyone falling outside this category (that's most people) may find such a course unsuitable to some degree.

Don't waste your money.

The pass rate may be low, but the money is not necessarily wasted. Experience will have been gained for this money. Life is short and experience is priceless. Those who blindly optimistically believe that forking out a fortune will somehow magic up a guaranteed pass and a licence will feel that their money has been wasted. There are no magic wands; you must meet the trainers half-way with a good deal of effort and ability to retain information. Those who go in for the experience and are prepared to take another test attempt if they fail the first, may feel they've had more value.

You aren't guaranteed to pass, you will take a last minute cancellation driving test in an area you may have never driven...

First part is true, but the area should not make any difference. If you have been taught to recognise and deal with all types of hazard correctly and consistently, you should be able to drive anywhere. All routes at all driving test centres are designed to be as uniform as possible with regard to the number and variety of hazards. Many hazards can't be planned for when designing a route as these may arise from actions of other road users.

.. so will walk out with a big fail and have spent maybe £1000.

This is a possibility, but not necessarily a certainty. People have passed after these courses, although often it's a borderline ropey pass in the case of a novice driver. Those who have had lots of previous experience years ago and just needed refreshing have taken these courses and passed with flying colours.

Ask yourself if you're considering an intensive course as your schedule is tight, or whether you think it's a money saver. Those who think it's a cheap option may be disappointed. Those who are extremely nervous, clumsy, forgetful and a little bit dizzy may not succeed. Those who are alert, focussed, have a good sense of speed and spatial awareness (perhaps from playing contact sports) stand a better chance. In summary, residential intensive courses are a tool. The workman using the tool is the one who makes the difference. It's not for everybody.