Intensive Driving Course
Discussion
Hi all, I just wanted to ask your opinion on something. I could probably research this myself to a certain extent, but I felt I'd get a much more honest and realistic perspective from a forum like this.
I've never wanted or needed to drive, but recently I have found a vocation that I happen to be really good at and I'm making more money than I ever thought possible. It would also be advantageous for me to be able to drive, so I was thinking of doing an intensive test, as I don't really want to drag it out over weeks and months, as it will be semi-embarrassing to take lessons at my age anyway!
So I don't know if there is anyone on here with particular expertise in this, but I'm certain almost all of you will know more about it than me! That wouldn't be difficult! I just wondered if anyone could answer the following questions (and I'm happy to listen to as many opinions as possible). Bear in mind, that I have never driven a car, and know next to nothing about the rules of the road (I am fairly intelligent, though, and am quite confident I could pass the theory without difficulty).
(1) How long do you think it would take through intensive lessons to get up to test standard? There are all sorts of claims that it can be done in a week, but this seems extremely unlikely to me considering if you asked me how many wheels there were on a car I'd have to count them! Is a month possible? Or longer? There are no limits to time or money (well, there are some limits to money, but in practical terms no limits).
(2) That said, how much do you reckon it would cost to learn roughly? I realise this could vary, but a ballpark figure would be good.
(3) Can you do intensive courses for automatics only? I really can't be mithered with learning how to drive a stick shift.
(4) Can anyone recommend a reputable company in the north west / Cheshire area?
Thanks in advance, your collective advice would be greatly appreciated. And I'd definitely listen to any other advice you have beyond the remit of those questions.
I've never wanted or needed to drive, but recently I have found a vocation that I happen to be really good at and I'm making more money than I ever thought possible. It would also be advantageous for me to be able to drive, so I was thinking of doing an intensive test, as I don't really want to drag it out over weeks and months, as it will be semi-embarrassing to take lessons at my age anyway!
So I don't know if there is anyone on here with particular expertise in this, but I'm certain almost all of you will know more about it than me! That wouldn't be difficult! I just wondered if anyone could answer the following questions (and I'm happy to listen to as many opinions as possible). Bear in mind, that I have never driven a car, and know next to nothing about the rules of the road (I am fairly intelligent, though, and am quite confident I could pass the theory without difficulty).
(1) How long do you think it would take through intensive lessons to get up to test standard? There are all sorts of claims that it can be done in a week, but this seems extremely unlikely to me considering if you asked me how many wheels there were on a car I'd have to count them! Is a month possible? Or longer? There are no limits to time or money (well, there are some limits to money, but in practical terms no limits).
(2) That said, how much do you reckon it would cost to learn roughly? I realise this could vary, but a ballpark figure would be good.
(3) Can you do intensive courses for automatics only? I really can't be mithered with learning how to drive a stick shift.
(4) Can anyone recommend a reputable company in the north west / Cheshire area?
Thanks in advance, your collective advice would be greatly appreciated. And I'd definitely listen to any other advice you have beyond the remit of those questions.
if you have time, intensive learning is good. However, please note, when you get out onto the road by yourself you might not or should I say will not be as good as someone who has been learning for months, collated the information they've been given, and then acted on it next lesson. Saying that, if you know your limits early on you will be fine.
I remember reading about £1000 for lessons, 50 hours or so. That's pretty good but a big sum to give up in one go. Then there's theory & the test itself on top, assuming you pass first time. There is a waiting time on the test, unless you book in a quiet area. York for example is 6 - 8 weeks!
What I'd say is find some instructors, have a lesson with each of them, see which you like the best. A good teacher is probably the most important part of learning to drive. I stopped with my first instructor 20 hours into learning. I left it too long. My second instructor was different, didn't get annoyed, and was a genuine guy to talk to. In a week it might not matter, but make sure you feel comfortable.
I remember reading about £1000 for lessons, 50 hours or so. That's pretty good but a big sum to give up in one go. Then there's theory & the test itself on top, assuming you pass first time. There is a waiting time on the test, unless you book in a quiet area. York for example is 6 - 8 weeks!
What I'd say is find some instructors, have a lesson with each of them, see which you like the best. A good teacher is probably the most important part of learning to drive. I stopped with my first instructor 20 hours into learning. I left it too long. My second instructor was different, didn't get annoyed, and was a genuine guy to talk to. In a week it might not matter, but make sure you feel comfortable.
1, Best to speak to an instructor about that, would probably vary with different people, I don't think you could learn to drive in a week personally, spreading it out over months would make you a safer driver with more experience.
2, my son recently passed, I think it cost about £1000, though that wasn't an intensive course.
3, Probably, but learning in a manual would give you a wider range of cars to choose from when you pass.
2, my son recently passed, I think it cost about £1000, though that wasn't an intensive course.
3, Probably, but learning in a manual would give you a wider range of cars to choose from when you pass.
Taz1383 said:
if you have time, intensive learning is good. However, please note, when you get out onto the road by yourself you might not or should I say will not be as good as someone who has been learning for months, collated the information they've been given, and then acted on it next lesson. Saying that, if you know your limits early on you will be fine.
I remember reading about £1000 for lessons, 50 hours or so. That's pretty good but a big sum to give up in one go. Then there's theory & the test itself on top, assuming you pass first time. There is a waiting time on the test, unless you book in a quiet area. York for example is 6 - 8 weeks!
What I'd say is find some instructors, have a lesson with each of them, see which you like the best. A good teacher is probably the most important part of learning to drive. I stopped with my first instructor 20 hours into learning. I left it too long. My second instructor was different, didn't get annoyed, and was a genuine guy to talk to. In a week it might not matter, but make sure you feel comfortable.
Thanks, Taz, it's not really a problem for me to shell out £1,000 as long as it's well invested, and I have no pretensions about being anything other than a mediocre road driver. A lot of people have had 20 years practice by the time they get to my age, and I guess the odd driving game on the PlayStation won't help much. But I had no idea about waiting times for tests, so straight away that's something I didn't know, so cheers.I remember reading about £1000 for lessons, 50 hours or so. That's pretty good but a big sum to give up in one go. Then there's theory & the test itself on top, assuming you pass first time. There is a waiting time on the test, unless you book in a quiet area. York for example is 6 - 8 weeks!
What I'd say is find some instructors, have a lesson with each of them, see which you like the best. A good teacher is probably the most important part of learning to drive. I stopped with my first instructor 20 hours into learning. I left it too long. My second instructor was different, didn't get annoyed, and was a genuine guy to talk to. In a week it might not matter, but make sure you feel comfortable.
I think 'intensive' is not the most productive way to learn. There's too much to take in.
I got my sister through her test with a few 2-3 hour lessons a few times a week over a period of a month or so.
We'd start off doing all the driving test mechanics on the route around her test centre, then the final part was just spent driving around and nattering. It seemed to work well.
I got my sister through her test with a few 2-3 hour lessons a few times a week over a period of a month or so.
We'd start off doing all the driving test mechanics on the route around her test centre, then the final part was just spent driving around and nattering. It seemed to work well.
Where about in Cheshire are you? My other half had a rubbish teacher changed to another and passed in 10 lessons plus me driving about in a car with her. Bought her a beat up 406 for £400 quid and cost £500 to insure her for the year on her provisional. If you around Crewe and nantwich I'll get the guys name off her for you.
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