When it comes to learning to drive, many people are unsure what format would be best for them, out of weekly or intensive driving lessons.
Whether you’re a parent researching options for your teenager, or perhaps an adult who might be in a hurry to pass or returning to lessons after a break, you may be interested in knowing the key differences between weekly and intensive driving lessons in Birmingham.
Such factors as the varying driving test wait times and traffic challenges in the West Midlands city, might further influence your choice.
In this blog article, we will seek to help you decide on the right format of driving lessons for your own needs and preferences.
What Is an Intensive Driving Course?
The fact that intensive driving courses are also sometimes referred to as “crash courses”, should indicate to you what they are.
No, we aren’t talking about shunting the vehicle! “Crash course” driving in Birmingham is about giving you driving tuition that is condensed into a shorter period than traditional driving lessons.
Undergoing intensive driving lessons in Birmingham – like the five-day to two-week courses we offer at Select Drive Driving School – means you can also potentially be in a position to pass your practical driving test sooner.
This might be particularly appealing to you if you are in a hurry to pass your test. For example, you may be about to move away to a location where you will need a car to get around, or you might need to drive for work purposes.
Despite their fast-track nature, our intensive driving lessons in Birmingham aren’t about “cutting corners”, whether literally or metaphorically. They still cover everything you will need to know in order to drive safely and confidently.
What Are Weekly Driving Lessons?
Weekly driving lessons are what you might call the more “traditional” way of learning to drive. This is driving tuition that takes place at a slower pace than intensive driving lessons – typically one or two lessons per week, each one lasting for about one to two hours.
If you don’t have very much time on a day-by-day or week-by-week basis – perhaps because of pre-existing family or work commitments – the flexibility of weekly driving lessons is likely to appeal to you.
However, some people are drawn to weekly driving lessons simply because they prefer to learn and absorb new skills and knowledge at a slightly slower pace, without the pressure that intensive driving lessons can bring.
Another potentially big advantage of weekly driving lessons, is their suitability for complete beginners. Newcomers to driving can sometimes be especially nervous and anxious. If this sounds like you, the opportunity to begin gradually with the very basics – such as how to start the engine, check the mirrors, and drive off safely – may help put you at ease.
Intensive vs Weekly: Key Differences
| Intensive driving courses | Weekly driving lessons |
Speed of learning | Intensive lessons can help you reach a stage of being able to pass a test, potentially within just a few weeks | Weekly lessons don’t occur as frequently, and place a greater emphasis on gradual, lower-pressure learning |
Cost comparison | While intensive lessons have a higher upfront cost than weekly lessons, fewer lessons might be needed – so, the learner may save money in the long run | Weekly lessons may be cheaper on a per-hour basis, but a greater number of lessons might be needed overall. This can drive up the longer-term cost |
Retention of knowledge | Intensive lessons help learners to more quickly acquire and embed knowledge | In the time between weekly sessions, the learner may easily forget some of what they have learned previously |
Instructor consistency | The focused and continuous nature of intensive lessons allows for instructors to provide immediate and personalised feedback | The longer gap between lessons when a weekly approach is chosen, may mean that taught knowledge and skills fade between lessons. So, the instructor may keep having to cover old ground |
Time flexibility | A shorter overall time commitment is required for intensive lessons compared to weekly lessons | Weekly lessons can be spread out over weeks and months, and might be easier to fit in around existing commitments |
Suitability for nervous learners | The concentrated nature of intensive lessons can be overwhelming for learners who are already anxious | The more gradual pace of weekly lessons can make learning to drive feel less intimidating for nervous or anxious people |
Test Centre Wait Times in Birmingham
It has been well-documented that there have been long waits for driving tests in recent times. This has been exacerbated by such factors as driving tests being suspended or limited during the COVID-19 pandemic, a shortage of driving examiners, and heightened demand.
In Birmingham, for example, research has indicated that average wait times for driving tests can often be around eight to 16 weeks.
This situation may impact on your course choice. For example, you might favour the idea of intensive driving lessons in Birmingham scheduled for several months’ time, to align with a pre-booked driving test shortly afterwards.
Alternatively, you may consider booking a driving test two or three months ahead, and then arranging weekly driving lessons in the lead-up to this. You could even incorporate both weekly and intensive elements into your driving tuition – for example, by upping the frequency of lessons to two or three per week as the test date nears.
Which One Is Best for You?
Your decision on whether to go for weekly or intensive driving lessons in Birmingham, will likely depend on your circumstances and needs:
- If you’re on a deadline, an intensive course over one or two weeks is the “obvious” choice – presuming you can fit it in around your other life commitments.
- If you prefer to build confidence gradually, you are likely to appreciate how weekly lessons allow you to learn at your own pace, without too much pressure to absorb everything at once.
- If you’ve had previous experience, both weekly and crash course driving in Birmingham may potentially be suitable. Intensive lessons could work well as a “refresher” before your test. However, if it’s been a while since your last lesson, you might like the idea of easing back into driving gradually with weekly tuition.
Both weekly and intensive driving lessons in Birmingham are available through Select Drive Driving School. So, if you’re interested in learning to drive in this part of the West Midlands, you really don’t need to consider any alternative driving school.
Why Not Book Your Course Today?
Overall, intensive driving lessons will probably make most sense if you are eager to learn to drive – and pass your test – in a relatively short timeframe. This is especially likely to be your preference if future work or family commitments will force you to get behind the wheel.
If, on the other hand, you are a nervous or anxious learner, favour a slower pace of learning, or would find it difficult to fit an intensive driving course into your busy schedule, weekly driving lessons can be an excellent choice.
Slots for driving lessons fill fast, so it’s best to plan ahead. Get in touch with Select Drive Driving School today for personalised advice, or to book a lesson with us.
