Intensive driving courses

kavos_wildcat

Hi, I just wondering if anyone had used or had any experiences with intensive driving courses. Is it a better way to go than the weekly lessons? I am 22 and have never driven before simply because I havent had an interest in it until recently. Any advice would be gratefully recieved

captainawsome

I lost my licence a few years back and needed it ASAP. So as these companies have pre booked test slots I got a cancelation and had my licence back within a week. This suited me fine but dont forget I could already drive, a girl on my course had never driven before and they told her that a week was not long enough and refused to put her in for the test as they said she wasn't good enough and every fail goes against their pass rate. My opinon, do weekly lessons in the area of your local test center, learn the roads and do your test when advised by your instructor. Probably be cheaper too.

chib

I agree with the post above, I've got a friend who obained their license through an intensive course and spent more time and money than was originally sold to them. This may come down to the individual themselves however.

If you have the money available, I'd recommend doing longer lessons more frequently. Two double lessons, twice a week could be a months worth of learning in a week compared to someone doing one lesson a week. Also echo the point above with covering the area that you plan to sit your test in.

Some instructors (My friend being one) will give free lessons for pre-paying a block of lessons.

Good luck when the time comes!

marlot

I did my motorbike test after an intensive week long course. But I'd already been driving for 10 years or more. If you're starting from scratch I'd say it would be tough.

If you do go the intensive route, you then need to get driving ASAP after passing your test - I was glad I was on my own bike within a couple of weeks, whilst I could still remember everything

CompBunny

I would go "semi intensive" - lots of lessons close together so you learn and pass quickly, but enough time to properly absorb everything you have learnt to be more likely to be a safer driver once you have passed About 6-8 weeks it should take you. I would advise doing your theory test first so that you can change the pace of your lessons according to when test slots are available etc My boyfriend (age 24 when he started learning last year) looked into doing an intensive course but between us we decided that semi intensive would be the most practical way of doing it. He took advantage of block booking which helped reduce the cost.

Good luck, driving is a fantastic skill to have, and it certainly helped my partner when looking for a new job in these tough times when every extra skill you have helps! I personally LOVE driving, never thought I would be fussed as I just wanted to get from A to B but now driving is such a joy to me!

kavos_wildcat

Thanks for the advice people, think i will look into the block booking and numerous lessons per week as a couple of you have mentioned. Thanks again

jase1

I would further say that a good way forward would be to get access to someone's car for practice. Driving is one thing where there really is no substitute for lots and lots of real-world practice; eventually it becomes second nature.

Some people (myself included) continually think, and second-guess themselves when driving and these drivers tend to take longer to pass. A one week course for such a person would be a mistake, and it is encouraging to note that intensive course companies are refusing complete beginners these days.

[Deleted User]

When I was learning to drive I was having 2 x 2hour lessons a week. Less chance to forget stuff by having lots of driving but not as stressful as an intensive course.

forgotmyname

How many hours can you drive before you get tired? My BIL thinks 1 hour on the motorway is a long way and wants to stop for a break.

I can drive 9 hours and only stop if i need the loo. If i dont i can keep going.

Driving 300miles+ to cornwall and back in a day is not an issue, Or going the other way Cumbria and drop of a table and chairs and drive back in a 7.5ton lorry.

colino

I have two friends who years ago, when these were still unfortunately called "crash" courses, got their licences this way. I think both of them would admit to not being the most proficient of drivers even now, twenty or so years later. I believe the emphasis of getting "good enough" to get through the Friday test meant they were never really comfortable and settled into just driving with an instructor like most other ways of sitting the test would. This led to both of them, one male, one female, still being less than happy behind the wheel.
Nothing is better than getting the miles under your belt.

blacksta

The intensity of any driving lessons should help one's learning process. It is amazing how how an hour flies. So a two hour driving lesson at a time should definitely help and speed up the ability to drive.