We understand that teenagers and in particular teenagers who are about to turn either 17 or 18 often have a common request for a present – driving lessons!

With the goal of preparing and passing their driving test at the earliest possible point, we are often asked about the possibility of booking an intensive course in order to prepare quickly.

Whilst block booking lessons can be perfect for some drivers, the truth is that there is no ‘black and white’ answer in regards to whether they may be right for you.

Why Look To Intensive Courses?

Some people (not exclusively teenagers) are so eager to obtain their driving licence that they look to take as many driving lessons as possible in a short period of time with the goal of preparing for their test as quickly as possible. Whilst many people believe this is a great way to learn. Significant savings can be made by booking an intensive course of driving lessons which is definitely a positive and we would not recommend you putting your name in for a test unless we believed 100% that you were ready.

However, some people have their reservations as they believe that only through a slow and steady approach will you be ideally positioned to gain experience behind the wheel and on the road.

Disadvantages of Intensive Driving Courses

Much of the concern surrounding intensive course relates to the overall levels of experience gained during these lessons. Typically, learners will complete approximately 20-25 hours of driving over the course of one or two weeks, compared to those who learn in standard lessons who will complete their lessons in a much longer period (six months to a year).

Intensive driving courses can also be fairly stressful. By trying to take in as much information as possible in a short period of time, it can be difficult to try to remember so much information without having the time to let these newly learned manoeuvres sink in.

There is no doubt that intensive driving courses do work for some people but at the same time some people would agree that it may be more productive to take a longer term approach when learning to drive as this is more likely to improve confidence and reduce the risk of accidents.