Intensive driving courses

Good or Bad!

A lot of people have made comments about intensive driving courses, some good some not so good.

Intensive driving courses have been operating in the UK armed forces since the early 1980s, mainly due to the availability of students to do daily training. This has helped with service personnel being ready quicker to take on their duties within the armed forces. So its not a recent driver training system. In civilian street this was not the way driving courses were given, due to the fact that the student would be working Monday to Friday. The cost also had an impact to the way training was given. So availability and cost up front for the course made intensive driving courses not very popular.

So why the change

Driving courses spread over one or two weeks are more popular now than they ever were in the past, with more driving schools offering week long courses.

Driving is now essential, a must have ability when looking at employment opportunities. The time where you worked, and then retired in the same job 40 years later, has all but gone. Flexibility, working hours (Shift Patterns), and location of work places, have meant mobility is essential. The seventeen year olds now entering the job market are now boosting their chances of employment by being able to travel to out of town locations, work shift patterns, and be more attractive to larger companies.

Do week long intensive courses work

Intensive driving courses
Intensive driving courses in manual and automatic cars

Yes they do!. However like weekly lessons it is in important to shop around and find a driving school with a good track record of providing these types of courses. The driving instructor you have chosen is trained on providing intensive driving courses, or has experience in provide an intensive driving course . Remember this was not the way some driving instructors were shown how to teach students. With that in mind, pass rates will be similar to weekly lessons. There is a caveat, however with these driving courses. They are what they say, Intensive! both for the student and the instructor. The intensity of the training can sometimes be too much, regular breaks will be needed. We would suggest booking no more than six hours in a day, and have regular stops every couple of hours. Well organised, intensive driver training programs do work, with pass rates similar to other training programs.

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After passing your driving test

After a driving course and help from family and friends, its now time to go solo. This can be a daunting process, your first time out on your own. Lets talk about ways you can make this less stressful.

Time to drive

For your first solo drive the time is important. Try and go when rush hour is over or at a time when the roads are quiet, this could be during the weekend. Think about when it starts getting dark, or if there are any issues with weather or road conditions.

Where to go

I am sure after you pass your driving test, there will be places and people you would like to go and see. For your first solo drive consider the length of the journey, the time it will take to get there and back. Will this make you hit rush hour traffic or end up driving in the dark. What roads will you be going on and have you the confidence to drive on them. You could always ask a friend or family member who can drive to go with you first.

Preparation

Preparation is the key to a successful journey. Check your vehicle before setting off, make sure you have enough fuel and that your car is in good working order, (remember the show, tell me questions). Make sure your phone is fully charged and that you carry with you a drink and warm clothing. Emergency breakdown kits are a must to help keep you safe , and can be purchased on amazon for not a lot of money. Tell someone where you are going and what time you are aiming to get there, and when you will be leaving to come back.

dual carriageway driving courses

Dual carriageway driving courses

Further training can be given on Motorways and driving at night or consider taking the pass plus

We work a lot with our students and are always there for them. . Just because you have passed your driving test, doesn’t mean your driving school cannot help you further. There will be information to help you online or contact your driving school. When it comes to our students first solo drive, we are happy to meet our students at a location and answer any questions they might have, or just give them support.