Intensive Driving Courses

[KM38]

Can anyone that’s done one tell me how they got on? Seriously considering it but not sure how well I’d take it all in 😓

Started lessons Jan 2020, got pregnant in the February and hoped to be through my lessons and test before baby arrived...and then covid struck 🙄🙈 had to stop lessons and by the time I could start again I was 34 weeks pregnant with severe SPD so couldn’t start again. I got through about 12ish hours of lessons but the instructor wasn’t my favourite 😅 I felt confident and comfortable with the actual driving - just not which his style of teaching.

Instructors in my area now have crazy waiting lists as I’m sure most areas do 😓 most instructors are telling me it’ll be a February/March 2022 start for normal lessons 😳 I’m now sitting here with a 7 month old and it would be far more ideal if I could drive.

There’s a 10 day (42 hours over 9 days + test day) intensive that has availability in about 7/8 weeks.

Anyone? 🙈

Not done one myself, but if you're in a hurry to pass and can't wait until next year, I would say give it a go... What have you got to lose? Apart from a bit of time and money!

You should do the course! Worst case scenario is that you fail. But even then you're still a huge step closer to having a driving license.
I've not done an intensive course but was a late learner.
You sound like you're in a good place to start.

Sorry OP, I don't have any answers for you as I don't drive yet. I've been thinking about doing an intensive course too and would love to hear about them, so giving this thread a little bump for you.

Depends on your age. If you are over 30 I think you need more time to learn.

If they have availablity I'd absolutely book it. The waiting lists are wild!

I'd wanted an intensive course for my dd but couldn't find one anywhere at all.

Is the test part of the course?
The backlog for a test is horrendous at the moment.
Go for it, you’ve already had some hours driving.

Is the test part of it? Because there's about an eight month wait for tests.

I did one. Instructor was crap. Test time was rush hour in London.
I don't regret it... But I didn't pass.

I would go for it, but are you certain there are tests available? DD can't get one for months.

I've never done one but if it's either that or only start next year I'd go for it.

Are you able to practise in anyone else's car?
Even if you don't pass 1st time, presumably you could then book more lessons after that and do another test.
Are you able to fit 4+ hours a day of driving into your schedule for 9 days with a baby?

Good point about tests - do you know how long they take to book in your area?

I did an intensive course, I think it was 10 hours over 5 days (20 years ago though!!). I had done some lessons prior, but was getting fed up of having one lesson a week so went for it and passed first time (I had already done the theory ages before)

And my test was on the Friday afternoon - booked as part of the course.

Go for it, much better than 1 a week as you get used to driving

Hi OP. I did one! I was 29 and hadn't done any lessons since I was 17. Depending on how many hours of driving you'll do in a day I will tell you it is really tiring. You are mentally on the whole time.

But I'm very glad I did it. I didn't pass first time. Made a silly mistake. Took a few more lessons between tests and passed 2nd time. Took me a couple of months all together. Waiting for test date. I had a 2 year old at the time and it was the best decision I made.

Go for it and good luck

@MySocalledLoaf I am 30 🤣😅 so might be touch and go for me!

@whippitwoowoo @gingerbiscuit19 @Theimpossiblegirl I’m going to call them tomorrow and clarify about the tests. I was under them impression that there was a huge wait for tests too but it’s allowing me to book onto the course online starting on a certain date and tells me the test will be on the last day 🤔 unless they maybe have some reserved slots or something for tests? 🤔 but I’ll definitely phone and clarify that tomorrow!

@SouthOfFrance I’m actually in quite a lucky position where DH works offshore for a few weeks at a time and then is home on leave for a few weeks so we can manipulate his schedule to make sure he would be home to look after the baby for the full time 😊

@newnamesameold @TeamSpike Great to hear people have had success with them! It just looks like such a lot of money to pay out 🙈🤣 I know I’d end up spending the same on weekly lessons but it doesn’t look as bad in smaller chunks 🤣 I know I need to get it done ASAP though!