Login
My Garage
New hero

Should I take an intensive driving course?

By Stephen Turvil | January 25, 2023

Share

Why not leave a comment?

See all | Add a comment

An intensive driving course could help you get your licence very, very quickly. But there are downsides, too. This article summarises the pros and cons.

Should I take an intensive driving course?

What is an intensive driving course?

It typically takes several months to learn to drive. However, an intensive course compresses your tuition into a much shorter time frame, potentially as little as a week. These courses can be intense and it’s likely you’ll have lessons - sometimes lasting a full day - everyday. 

Pros: learn fast

An intensive driving course has its benefits. Primarily, it gives you a chance to get to test standard and pass very quickly. You may also find that it gives you a better chance of passing having spent fewer hours on the road given everything that you learn stays fresh in your mind. 

Pros: less long term uncertainty

If you’re the kind of person that likes to know exactly what is happening and get things done as quickly as you can, then the intensive driving course could be the best option for you. Given it all happens quickly, you may find that you stay more relaxed as you don’t really have time to get yourself worked up and panic about what ‘could’ happen. 

Cons: demanding

An intensive driving course has cons, too. Primarily, it is demanding and relentless and you could find it’s all a bit too much to take in, ultimately impacting your driving performance. These issues don’t typically exist with regular tuition. 

Cons: upfront expense

Intensive driving courses may work out cheaper in the long run but they require upfront bulk payment in the vast majority of cases. Prices vary by provider but an intensive driving course costs around £1000. When you compare that to regular lessons, the average cost per lesson is £24 and the average learner will need around 47 hours before passing their test, meaning it will cost around £1,100 for the average driver to pass their test the traditional way.

Cons: limited opportunities to learn

While learning to drive, it is useful to experience as many conditions as practical. Varying types of tricky weather, for starters. There are specific driving techniques to cope with dazzling sun, torrential rain, and ice. You are unlikely to experience such variation over a short, intense, two week course. You might be better prepared for the road if you learn longer term.

Is an intensive driving course right for you?

Whether an intensive course is right for you depends on your priorities. Decide what is important, then. If you must qualify quickly, an intensive course might suit. If, in contrast, it is more important to spread the cost it might be better to learn long term. Simply consider all the pros and cons and make your decision.

Related Articles

Learner drivers waiting for an average of 14 weeks for a driving test
New data has revealed 45% of test centres are facing delays similar to or worse than pre-pandemic times
Mar 22, 2024
Young drivers with automatic-only licences pay £760 more for car insurance in 2024
Last year, drivers under 25 with automatic-only licences were quoted an average of £2,803 per year for car insurance
Mar 07, 2024
What are the rules around using your own car in a driving test?
Understanding the rules and requirements for using your own car in a driving test is crucial for a stress-free experience.
Mar 05, 2024
High demand, low supply: 48% eager for electric driving lessons, but few find instructors with EVs
48% of drivers would be more inclined to take driving lessons in electric cars but only one in seven surveyed individuals can find a local...
Mar 01, 2024