Andrew Langford School of Motoring

INTENSIVE DRIVING COURSES

An intensive course of driving lessons to prepare for a driving Test could be the ideal method for some pupils, but how intensive will vary from one individual to another.

None of the intensive courses I have done over the years have been 'residential' courses, although a few pupils had chosen either to stay at the in-laws or with another family member, or to travel upwards of 20 miles to meet me in the area where their Test had been booked. For instance I've met a number of pupils at Surbiton or Weybridge stations, having travelled from central London.

The majority, though, will arrange their Test at their most local Test centre and I will simply meet them, as usual, from their home.

HOW MANY HOURS?

The most intensive course of driving lessons would be to have 5 hours per day (or 6?) for as many days as necessary with a Test on the final day, more often a Friday. For those who are able to concentrate well and won't be flagging after 2 hours, these longer sessions (with an appropriate half hour break!) do work well.

Within any Test area there are many different places to visit and become familiar with, so it often will feel like 2 or 3 completely different lessons over a 5 hour day. For instance a five day programme could be as follows:-

DAY 1 Controls, mirrors, junctions, hill starts, meeting traffic

DAY 2 Emergency stop, roundabouts, crossing traffic,turn in the road

DAY 3 Reversing left, dual carriageways, practice weak areas (see below)

DAY 4 Reverse park, consolidate other areas, mock Test

DAY 5 Prepare for Test

DAY 3 PROGRAMME ?

When learning to reverse round corners it is possible to devote a whole hour to the subject, having had a short warm up to include a few 3-point turns. There will be plenty of opportunities to try at least 8-10 other corners before the day is finished, but it's not just a case of "let's find another corner, and another...." as you should also be introduced to other situations and locations.

30 mins: Consolidate general driving in familiar area to include a few roundabouts and 3 point-turns.

45-60 mins: Introduce reverse left, practice 3-4 corners.

60-75 mins: Introduce dual carriageways (and newer, bigger roundabouts!) - use the new areas close by for more reversing.

30 min break

30-45 mins: Return to dual carriageways and link to new locations, with more reversing.

45-60 mins: 'Independent Driving' - practice both following directions on diagram and road signs to 'wherever(?)'.

60-90 mins: Consolidate reversing left, turn in the road, roundabouts, dual carriageways and normal roads, with more independent driving.

OTHER POSSIBILITIES

Intensive courses can, though, follow one of these programm

1) If only 10 hours required can be 3 consecutive days of 4 hours (Day 1), 3 hours (Day 2) & 3 hours (Test day) - the final hour being the Test itself. Day 1 could even be 2 hours in the morning (9.30-11.30) and another 2 hours in the afternoon (2.30-4.30):

2) If just 20 hours are required it might work as 6x 3 hours + 2 hours on Test day or 9x 2 hours + 2 hours on Test day:

3) For 30 or more hours - to complete in one week prior to a Test on a Friday- would need to start the previous Saturday and maybe do as many 5 hour sessions as possible, or split some days into separate 3 hour lessons (8-11am & 2-5pm?)

AND FINALLY....

Just a few other relevant points about intensive driving courses-

An initial 2 hour assessment can confirm whether an intensive course would be suitable.

You should already have passed your Theory Test and possibly have booked your Practical Test - make sure you arrange your lessons with enough time to spare and fit them in to my schedule (or whichever other instructor you may prefer to use).

Be prepared to do a few more hours than you might have anticipated - those extra hours can make a huge difference to driving well (and confidently) and passing well within the limit of permissible driving faults.