Intensive Driving Courses in West Lothian?

[JeS10]

Hi folks,

My other half really needs to get driving by about September. She is a fast learner, knows quite a lot theoretically but lacks any real practical experience. My car is currently a 307 HDI with a permanent anti-pollution fault (limp home mode) so it isn't really the best to do anything more than practice biting point and stuff in the drive way.

Anyway, she is wanting to do one of these intensive courses - over a couple of weeks 40-50 hours kinda thing. Could anyone recommend or point me in the direction of someone that runs these?

[Papa Hotel]

I hate the idea of learning to drive like that. Experience is built up over weeks, months, years, not over 40 hours intensive. Some of the worst drivers I've ever been in a vehicle with were people who'd learnt to drive in a couple of weeks, put through by the army. A friend of my wife went to Blackpool (for some unknown reason) to do a week long intensive course and is probably the least competent driver I've known.

Yeah, your missus might get her licence relatively quickly, but would you be happy that she's competent enough to drive? I know I wouldn't.

[JeS10]

Yeh, i've heard the Blackpool one being mentioned by several folk. Seems strange, might be the first thing they get to on google.

I'm not really comfortable with it, but if she wants to do it she will. I took about 22 lessons over several months. If she can get through with 40 in a few weeks so be it.

[jith]

Papa Hotel said:

I hate the idea of learning to drive like that. Experience is built up over weeks, months, years, not over 40 hours intensive. Some of the worst drivers I've ever been in a vehicle with were people who'd learnt to drive in a couple of weeks, put through by the army. A friend of my wife went to Blackpool (for some unknown reason) to do a week long intensive course and is probably the least competent driver I've known.

Yeah, your missus might get her licence relatively quickly, but would you be happy that she's competent enough to drive? I know I wouldn't.

I take on board what you say, but can I assume from your handle you're a copper. If you are advanced you probably did the course at Tullialan in just a few weeks or even days. I did mine in the same time span. I also did my Class 1 HGV in 10 days of intensive instruction.

I enjoyed both of these immensely and some of the best drivers I have worked with did exactly the same courses in the same time span. I think natural ability and mechanical sympathy are a vital requirement though.

J

[emicen]

Papa Hotel said:

I hate the idea of learning to drive like that. Experience is built up over weeks, months, years, not over 40 hours intensive. Some of the worst drivers I've ever been in a vehicle with were people who'd learnt to drive in a couple of weeks, put through by the army. A friend of my wife went to Blackpool (for some unknown reason) to do a week long intensive course and is probably the least competent driver I've known.

Yeah, your missus might get her licence relatively quickly, but would you be happy that she's competent enough to drive? I know I wouldn't.

Its an interesting point, but in fairness, when a learner you drive the same mile time after time, each in the prescribed pass-my-test-trained-chimp manner required.

Mirror-mirror-mirror-indicate-mirror-mirror-mirror, and thats just to make sure you pass wind safely.

I cant see any problem with doing an intensive course and then doing something like a pass plus course for better real world experience.

FWIW, I started driving at the start of July and passed my test mid-Sept the same year without any form of intensive course so really she'd have time to practise and do it normal lesson style. 11 lessons but at least a couple of times out with parents in the interim each time.