What is an Intensive course and how do these courses work?
Intensive driving courses are a growing and more popular alternative to the traditional approach of having 1 lesson per week over 6 to 12 months. It is far more suitable for many people than you may realise, and more and more instructors are embracing this too. Once a deposit has been paid, will search our network of local instructors and will allocate you to our most suitable driving instructor. Once we have allocated you, he/she will call you will agree on a start date, and plan in most, if not all of your lessons on the initial call. The instructor picks you up from your chosen pick up point every day. The in-car training would be completed in the vehicle, usually 3-6 hours per day. We aim to be flexible so if you cannot agree on a schedule, however, please note you also have to show flexibility to ensure a full lesson schedule can be agreed with you an the instructor. The in-car training with an intensive driving course continues daily to use your tuition hours up, and we get the quickest possible driving test, we always aim to secure a test around the estimated completion date offered online, however, dates will fluctuate depending on test centre availability. The final 90 minutes of all standard driving test courses are for hiring the car to take the driving test using the driving instructor’s vehicle. The DVSA do not provide cars so you will need to use your driving instructor’s vehicle. If you require a theory test and revision too, see our below section. Note: Please do not book any time off work until you have spoken and agreed on the dates and times with your instructor.
What size of intensive driving courses do you offer?
QUICK COURSE – 5 HOURS with test Handy for those who: * Failed a test recently but did well and need a quick re-test. * Have driven illegally / been banned and need a brush up on key skills and a quick test. * Or have completed almost everything as a learner driver but need a quick test. QUICK COURSE – 10 HOURS with test This course is aimed at people who are not far off an overall safe standard. Ideal if: * You failed recently but did ok on test and need a quick re-test. * You have done a lot of driving lessons and have had professional advice that you are close to test standard. * You have been at test standard or took a test in the past 12 months but not driven recently. QUICK COURSE – 15 HOURS with test This course is for learners who have good control of the vehicle but require improvement on Manoeuvres and complicated traffic systems. Ideal if you have had 20 or more lessons off an instructor in the recent past, or are not too far off an overall good standard of driving with the practice you have had. Also Ideal for those who were at test standard but who haven’t driven in a year or two. DRIVING COURSE – 20 HOURS with test This course for pupils with safe basic control of the vehicle and have attempted some manoeuvres. Ideal for those who have: * Had 15 – 20 lessons in the past? * Driven years ago but stopped? * Learned only basic reversing or none at all? DRIVING COURSE – 25 HOURS with test This course is suitable for pupils who have had a little driving experience. Ideal for those who have: * Had 10 – 15 hours of driving lessons in the past? * Driven years ago and stopped? * Can move off, stop and safely change gears, approach junctions reasonably safely? If any of the above applies you should be able to take this course. DRIVING COURSE – 30 HOURS with test For pupils who can move off and stop the vehicle using the Mirror, Signal, Manoeuvre routine and have okay steering control, or really confident beginners only. BEGINNERS COURSE – 35 HOURS – 45 Hours with test These courses starting at 35 hours are designed for the average learner who learns co-ordination based skills reasonably well and have very little or no experience behind the wheel. Add more hours to make it 40 if you have a little less confidence with no experience behind the wheel. For even more peace of mind, the 45 hour option is designed for anybody who knows that driving may not come to them naturally and want as much time as possible behind the wheel. PASS PLUS (no test) Pass plus is about gaining more advanced experience, for example on motorways and in more challenging situations you may not have faced on your regular driving lessons, such as night driving, bad weather, country roads and motorway driving. The Pass plus 6 hour course is £250 and can be booked when booking your driving course. Discounts with your car insurance company may be available once have completed this course
Do you help with theory revision?
We offer Zoom Theory Training Courses, from the comfort of your own home! You will be shown the most difficult topics & questions by a qualified driving instructor. For more info, click this link – https://nationalintensive.com/courses-we-offer/online-theory-workshop/ We can offer you FREE access to the premium version of the theory test pro website, on purchasing a driving course so you can study online at home or on the go, using your smartphone app or the theory test pro website. Customers who wish to use this service can subscribe once a course is booked through the link at the end of the booking process. Our driving instructors will be happy to assist with the theory in the car too if you need help with anything, just ask! We can go through more complex questions with you, which will boost your chances of passing the theory test when you take it. It would take us hours and hours to cover everything once, so that is why we give you discounted access to the revision website and Smartphone Application if required.
What if I fail my theory test?
The driving instructor will continue with your practical lessons as scheduled and get you up to the best possible driving standard within the hours booked, we will then either book the theory retest for you again (£35, includes cancellation finding service) for late in the same week (if possible) or the following week, it all depends on local theory test availability. You have to wait 2 clear working days if you fail a theory test before you can take another one. The driving instructor will normally save the final few hours to finish off the practical lessons once the theory is passed if necessary. If you are at a safe standard and can take your driving test once the theory is passed, we will book your practical test for you as soon as you pass the 2nd theory test.
We aim to get a test date booked around the estimated completion date
Most of our pupils want a course at extremely short notice, so we have to work off the DVSA system to get you a cancellation slot, much quicker than the standard waiting list, which can be 6 months or more. We aim to get you a cancellation at your local test centre, or one reasonably close (with yours and the instructor’s permission), so you can have some practice hours in that area during the course. Our estimated completion dates are based on dates we are currently booking for existing pupils, although it is an accurate measure of what test date you will likely get, its not guaranteed, so please be flexible as dates will fluctuate based on test centre availability. Your driving instructor and you will save a few hours in order for you to finish off the course.
What if I fail the practical test?
If you are unlucky or just make one silly error with just a few minor fault’s then you will be able to rebook with us (call us straight away). The DVSA allow another test to be sat only after 10 working days have passed, so you can rebook with us immediately and we will search for a retest as soon as on the 10th working day. You probably will only need to arrange a few hour’s practice prior to the second test. If you fail with lots of minor faults or more than one serious or dangerous fault, then it may be necessary for you to evaluate your driving skills and book extra training before considering another test attempt. Learning to drive is expensive to most people, but it is ridiculously more expensive if you keep going in for practical tests when you aren’t ready. We do offer retest courses at a discount price, so if you are unlucky, we will try to lower the cost to you by knocking off £62 from the cost of a 5-hour retest course, effectively making the test fee free.
Do you offer a 'guaranteed pass' course, OR free retest?
I’m afraid nobody can 100% guarantee you will pass a test first time, we just charge you for 1 theory test (if booked) and 1 driving test in your initial payment. Some companies may offer ‘free’ retests or something similar, but you’ll generally pay more in the initial payment, then they will pay for extra tests if needed. Some companies may offer 1, some may offer unlimited free retests, with strict terms and conditions you have to abide by. We have a good pass rate so most customers wouldn’t benefit from a more expensive ‘guaranteed pass’ type course. If you fail either theory or practical test 1st time we will book you the quickest possible retest so that you can continue your course. We offer theory retest at £35 and practical retests at £89.99
Where are you based?
Our calls are taken at our office in Greater Manchester, but we have many instructors nationwide, registered to teach courses for us, who offer a door to door service from your home, college or work. In Central London and some highly congested areas of the UK we sometimes have to agree on a meeting point if travel becomes an issue to the instructor.
Are your instructors fully qualified?
All of our course instructors have qualified as ADI instructors, we will not provide you with a trainee or unqualified instructor. All driving instructors are CRB / DBS checked every time they renew their ‘green badge’ – the licence to teach.
Can I realistically pass in one week?
Yes! (however, its a lot more challenging currently due to the backlog and only if you require 25 hours or less) We will allocate a driving instructor, who will arrange a lessons schedule, keeping 2-3 hours back for the day of your driving test. If you have passed your theory test, we will pre book your driving test, then the intensive lessons can be arranged around this date. Meaning YES it is possible to pass within 1 week of starting lessons. If you haven't passed your theory test and require us to book it (usually taking 2-4 weeks to secure a date) then once this has been passed. We will book your driving test like above and lessons arranged accordingly.
I have passed my theory test, is it cheaper?
If you have passed your theory test then you will not have to pay the theory test fee when booking which is £35. Our prices do include the cost of the practical driving test!
Do I have to pay extra for my test day?
Driving courses are all-inclusive and so there will be NO additional charge, unless you go over the number of hours that you originally booked in. If you do go over the amount of hours you originally planned, then you and your instructor will agree on the extra costs in advance.
How do I go about booking the course and how do I pay?
You can call us for any general enquiries, we would be delighted if you need any assistance to provide this, then to book you can BOOK ONLINE 24/7 using the booking form. You can email us a query out of hours too, 24 hours per day, we will get back to you as soon as possible. To secure a course we require a deposit before the course begins. Payments are made on the online booking form with a debit or credit card, securely through Barclaycard’s and Stripe payment gateway, or we can email you an invoice to pay the same way via the above methods or using a bank transfer. If you are sending an international banking payment please email or call us if you require the IBAN number.
Are deposits fully refundable?
In the small chance we cannot fulfil your booking by allocating you to a local driving instructor or if you haven’t been allocated previously then deposits are 100% refundable.
What if I need to make a complaint?
We take complaints seriously and so if we have fallen below the standard expected, please visit the terms and conditions page. At the bottom of this page, there is a simple email form, which will go to our manager, who will investigate the issue for you and contact you as soon as possible with a resolution.
Bumper Refunds / Cancellation Policy
Bumper Refunds / Cancellation Policy Once a booking has been made through our financial provider Bumper. You have the right to cancel anytime within 14 days of making the application. However, there are exclusions to this so please read the exclusions below The 14-day cooling off is waived with the following: 1) If any lessons or tests have been taken within the 14 days of making payment 2) If any payments have been made to the driving instructor for the booking of driving lessons We are unable to offer a refund if the 14 days have passed/waived and a driving instructor is in place to complete your lessons or test dates have been confirmed. If you cancel once a driving instructor is in place you may forfeit all the course fee or at least some of it. For example, if you have completed more than 50% of your lessons, no refunds can be offered under any circumstance. However, if you have completed less than 50% of your lessons, we can offer you a refund of the remaining driving instructor fee or provide a new instructor for the remaining hours. Our deposit fee is non-refundable under any circumstances once the service has been provided as we accrue costs in doing so, we can only refund you for unused driving lessons at the agreement of the instructor. Once a refund request has been authorised, this will be processed immediately and you will receive this within 3-5 working days.
And Finally
These are some of the most asked questions, but if you would like to call us and ask a few more then please don’t hesitate! If we are out of our normal working hours, please email us and we will respond in the morning, as soon as possible!
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