An intensive driving course means taking a number of long driving lessons in the space of a week, or a fortnight.
We’ve previously explored whether intensive driving courses work but in this post we’ll discuss whether intensive driving courses are worth doing. Or is it better to learn to drive the standard way, with multiple hours of practice spread across a number of months?
What is an Intensive Driving Course?
If you decide to take part in an intensive driving course, you’ll drive for up to eight hours a day, every day, for up to two weeks. Through multiple hours of one-on-one tuition with a specialist driving instructor, you can go from being an absolute beginner to a confident and competent driver.
Some learner drivers choose to take intensive driving courses from the start but it’s also common for people who have been learning for a while to take an intensive course to fast-track their path to passing.
How Much Do Intensive Driving Courses Cost?
You may just need a one day intensive course or you may decide to opt for a two week intensive course. Prices can range from £200 up to £2,000 but it will vary depending on the driving school, and depending on the type of intensive course you take so to get accurate price it’s best to contact a driving school directly.
The DVSA estimates that the average learner will need 45 hours of lessons and 22 hours of additional practice before they’re ready to pass their test.
You’ll have to pay for every hour of lessons, and most instructors charge at least £35 an hour. Add the cost of a provisional licence, and the costs of booking your theory and practical test, and you’ll pay at least £1,400 to learn to drive the standard way.
Are Intensive Driving Courses Worth It?
So, an intensive driving course will not cost much more than standard driving lessons. In some cases, an intensive driving course may even prove cheaper than a multitude of hourly lessons. Plus, many intensive driving courses include the cost of the theory and practical test, which can make them even more cost effective.
However, it may be difficult to pay the lump sum for an intensive driving course upfront. So spreading the cost of payments over a period of months, as you would with hourly lessons, may be more manageable.
Should I Take an Intensive Driving Course?
Is an intensive driving course right for you? Let’s look at the pros and cons:
PROS:
- As we’ve seen, an intensive driving course can prove to be more cost effective than standard driving lessons.
- If you need to pass your test as soon as possible, an intensive driving course can help you get your licence quicker.
- Some intensive driving courses will tailor their lessons to focus on the areas where you need the most support. So, if you’ve been learning to drive for a while, but you no longer want to commit to weeks or months of additional lessons, an intensive driving course can help you work on your weak spots until you’re ready to take your test.
CONS:
- An intensive driving course cannot guarantee that you’ll pass your test. Ultimately, it’s down to you. Don’t think that you’ll definitely get your licence if you pay the price and put in the hours. If you fail the test first time, you will have to pay to take another one.
- Intensive driving courses are not always the best option for absolute beginners. If you’re a nervous driver, it might be better to slowly build up your confidence behind the wheel over the course of weeks or months.
- If you’ve got a full-time job, are studying or have caring commitments, you may struggle to spare the time for an intensive driving course. It’s much easier to fit hourly lessons around a busy schedule.
However You Choose To Learn, We’re Here to Help
If you are learning to drive, don’t forget to make sure that you are properly insured for learning in the car you’ll be driving. Get a learner driver insurance quote today.
