To do an intensive driving course?

[NotLeanButMean]

I've failed three times, really stupid (but major) things caused absolutely by nerves. I have diagnosed GAD. I'm fine in my driving lessons, my driving instructor said he'd pass me in a heartbeat. It's just the tests, I get so horrifically nervous. Am sick, can't stop shaking, my legs shake like mad which affects my clutch control etc.

So I've got some extra money coming in tomorrow. I'm tempted to book an intensive driving course. They're expensive, and some of the stuff I've read about them on MN isn't great. But in my situation, where I don't really have much else to learn - I just need to get rid of these nerves, which surely driving for 15/ 20 hours over 3 days followed directly by the test will help?

Not driving massively affects mine and DDs life. Going to uni is a 4 hour round trip on the bus, which costs me a fortune in childcare. Other things as well which are just a massive pain without driving. It would actually be a dream come true to be able to drive for us. There are jobs I want to go for where you need to be able to drive. Plus, I think when she's older and wants a lift, I want to be able to do that. Loads of reasons really, and I've had hundreds of driving lessons and don't just want to leave it for 10 years until I'm better off (after graduating) and have forgotten everything I've learnt. Just want to get it done.

I can afford it out of the money I get tomorrow, as it's also coming with a significant increase in monthly payments. But I do have to watch my money very, very carefully, so chucking away £450 on an intensive driving course where I won't pass will be pretty awful. Alongside annual leave/ childcare fees whilst I get it done. What do you think?

First of all I feel your pain OP, I was a nervous driver which affected me passing.

From what I understand it’s a low pass rate for them, and wouldn’t 5-6 hours of driving a day possibly wear you out (mentally and physically) which might have a detrimental effect on your test?

Also you’ll still be having a test in exactly the same way - so you’ll most likely still be nervous?

I think it would be an investment OP but why can't you get some one to sit with you and drive for nothing? You just need to get comfy with the idea of driving and being watched surely? Good luck OP !

If you have GAD then beta blockers will help you.

Personally I would go to the gp and get a short course of beta blockers to stop the physical effects of anxiety first. It'll stop all the shaking and washing machine stomach.

I had to take them to pass mine.

The thing is if your driving is fine and it's test anxiety do you think an intensive course would make any difference? Have you considered beta blockers or some kind of therapy to help with your anxiety (I know it's obvious and you've probably thought of those but just putting them out there anyway :)).

I've tried propranolol. Taking them every day for year as a teen and also PRN later on. They have little effect on me. I'd get them again for my next driving test, as they can't hurt, but my second and third I took on them, and was similar.

I think it would be an investment OP but why can't you get some one to sit with you and drive for nothing? You just need to get comfy with the idea of driving and being watched surely? Good luck OP !

Nobody around me seems to be offering my best friend and my dad know what a struggle this is for me over the years, and neither have offered, even though I've hinted. So I feel awkward asking. Plus, even if they did offer, they're only available at night so I still have the problem with childcare. I couldn't exactly ask them to book AL for it (CF or what?!)

I don't know, maybe it wouldn't help. I just thought I'd get so used to it doing it every day all day that it would probably reduce my anxiety. Do you all not think so?

I desperately want to pass

I posted a thread today as well about my slow progress with driving. Watching with interest because I'm very close to booking an intensive course myself, though I'll likely do a semi intensive mode spread over 2-3 weeks.

So OP I totally feel your pain, my life is a lot more difficult because I can't drive. Hoping some other posters have some good tips!

I did one and passed on my fist try but I rarely get exam nervous. In your place it would probably make more sense to keep paying fir tests in the hope c that it v helps you get over your anxiety.

I was an instructor for years and an intensive is a really good way to get over nerves and to pass when you have been a a serial fail.

Would the money not be better spent on test after test??

Would the money not be better spent on test after test??

In my area you can only book tests 4-5 months in advance. Otherwise, yeah definitely. But I'd need loads of lessons in between I think. I haven't driven for about a year. I'd struggle to get 2 hours a week free to do lessons every week. I ask my best friend/ dad for babysitting too much already so I can go to work. I can't book her into nursery for only 2 hours, I'd have to do it for 6, so would cost me so much that I couldn't afford. So, taking 2 hour lessons a week isn't really an option for me anymore (was with DDs dad before, he's a shit and it's not really an option anymore). This is the only way, I think. Would just be gutted if I didn't pass after it.

I was an instructor for years and an intensive is a really good way to get over nerves and to pass when you have been a a serial fail.

Brilliant! This is what I want to hear 🙌🏼 thank you.

Im thinking of doing this because I get so wound up about driving - in my head I think Im just not cut out to drive. My theory is that if I immerse myself in driving I'll get used to it. I'm also going to pay for a babysitter so DH can take me out practicing.

I did this & found it really good. Originally I had a course of standard lessons every week & had a test booked. Anyway I had to canx as DC1 ended up in hospital but I would probably have failed anyway as wasn’t ready. Next I was pregnant with DC2 & very ill so didn’t do anything. I realised my theory was about to expire & the new practical changes were going to come in so I booked a 5 day course. The huge plus for me was that the intensiveness allowed me to really familiarise myself with the area/routes & therefore lessen my anxiety. This is really hard to do when you have small dc & need to wait until the weekend for someone to drive with you & as I’m in London by the time I got to the test area it would be an afternoon or morning gone. Yes your foot is sore initially but I did not find it hard in any other aspect. I passed with 1 minor, phew!

I don't have anxiety or anything but I did a 20hrs in 4 days. The first 3 days were very intense and I had s headache from concentrating so much. The 4th day I had a 2hr lesson then a test. I passed. Never regretted spending all that money.

I took my test after 10 lessons at 17 no way near ready and re sat after a further 5 lessons. I then moved to London and only when I had dc I did the course at 30.

Thank you, this is all really useful.

Also, I've always learnt manual, but I had about 6hrs lessons in an automatic just to see if it was any easier. It was a bit, not majorly though. Should I book my intensive course in manual, or automatic? Automatic is a bit more expensive, and I'm guessing will have a much longer waiting time, as I found it nearly impossible to find an automatic driving instructor. But if they say the time difference isn't too different, should I go automatic? I'm just concerned with passing.

Ask your dad to come out with you. Book a car from Arnold Clark, one of those dual control ones, and take your daughter with you. Just go out driving for the day, drive everywhere, back roads, main roads, in towns, cities. Park in random places and drive off again.

Do that a couple of times for a few weeks and it will help. Cheaper than the course too.

I did automatic but only because family car is automatic (DH has manual license) & I literally had 5 days until my theory expired so wanted to maximise chances. Originally I had learnt manual, I did find auto easier but I think that’s because in London your constantly having to stop/start.

Can you do it with your current instructor? I did intensive with an instructor not these big cattle market type companies, we did five hours a day for four days on the roads and I did my test at a local test centre on the fifth. Passed. I loved being in the car that long, i live in Essex and he made me drive into and around London, it meant I learned to drive rather than learning a few local routes around the test centre. It also made me confident to drive anywhere including places I didn't know, because if you can handle London with an ex black cabbie as your instructor nothing else is much of a challenge! We'd stop for breaks and he'd test my manoeuvres and show and tell questions etc.

Really feel your pain! I tried for 5-6 years on and off and quite a few different instructors. In the end, they have all told me there is nothing further they can do for me and one just stopped contacting me entirely! I can drive but, like you, it is my nerves. Unlike you, it's not just in a test though - it's in lessons too. I am prone to anxiety (taken anti depressants on several occasions to manage extremely high anxiety) and driving is just something for me which makes me absolutely off the scale anxious to the point where I am in tears, sweating, breathing very fast - in other words fully panicking behind the wheel to the point that instructors eventually say there is nothing more they can do to help me - and given I'm a paying customer, that's saying something! I have taken a break from it for a while as it really was traumatic and the thought of going back to it fills me with dread. But like you, I am a single mum and desperate to be able to drive. I'm starting to think about going back to it but it's also the cost - I can't bear to think about how much I have already spent on it and spending more just to get to the same place is a dismal thought. I have considered intensive courses but haven't heard great things and don't want to shell out £500 for nothing if I can't get over the anxiety... Following your thread with interest!