Intensive driving courses - any experience / opinions?

[another20]

Sorry to post here - thought would get parents with experiences.

ds3 did one - he had had some lessons when he was 17 and then just couldn't afford to keep it up. He worked during his gap year and wanted to get the test under his belt before he went off to uni so did an intensive course towards the end of that summer. It was a 15 hours over 5 days I think. (There was an initial lesson to see how intensive you needed it to be) He didn't need to do the theory but this is sometimes offered as part of the course on the final day.

Not cheap by any means but he knew if he didn't do it before uni he wouldn't get the time. ds1 is considering one now - he hasn't driven since his batch of lessons at 17 (more than 5 years ago) so its going to be even more expensive for him.

My brother was a driving instructor briefly many years ago and said the intensive courses were not ideal but it happened to suit ds3 and I think it depends on how much previous driving experience you have.

Most driving instructors don’t recommend them as you fail to build up a body of knowledge and driving experience. By the very nature of a short course, you are being taught to the test but your broader education of road conditions, defensive driving skills and expertise is limited. If you have time, do it over a longer period for greater knowledge and safety.

Personally I would avoid for a 17 year old Most of them have over a year between turning 17 and going to uni which is ample time to allow for the odd failed test.
I've had two DC learn to drive. I chose a local independent instructor who was recommended and they started on their 17th birthday.

They need to drive in all weathers, rain, ice, snow, fog. Also road and traffic conditions, drive in the dark, in heavy traffic.
A one week course can seldom do all that. More importantly practise, practise, practise. The instructor told me when they were ready for practise and what I should do with them. I eventually made sure they drove every time we were out. I also got a dash cam which is very useful for looking back at scenarios to see whether they drove appropriately. (Mum why did that driver honk at me, what did I do wrong?).