Crash Courses

[Steven W]

Anyone had any experience with a crash course in driving?

Basically my wife doesn't drive, but now she's pregnant it would be ideal for her to pass her test before the baby comes. Obviously that doesn't give us much time, so I was wondering about her doing one of these intense courses.

[staffsMike]

Not hands on. But a few mates have done them and passed with ease

Of course that went to their heads a bit and made them into prize idiots on the road but I don't see that happening with your pregnant wife

[kalniel]

Heh my second hand experience is the opposite - everyone I knew at school who did a crash course was absolutely terrible, most took more than 4 times to pass

Probably different for mature drivers though

[Bazzlad]

No mate - I did one, and it was THE biggest waste of money in my life. Avoid like a plague. Get 2 hours a week every week from a friendly local instructor. Crash Course = VERY BAD/

[Gr44]

Learning to drive is pretty stressful too, might not be the best idea to learn to drive while pregnant and I bet the 'crash' courses are more stressful.

Some of my friends did them and to be honest I don't trust their driving AT ALL. Yeah, they passed, but they haven't had a nice variation in wether, times of year and seen enough idiots on the road to get a good grounding.

I wouldn't recomend them from what I've read, seen and heard about them... Much better of paying a little more in the long run and spending a good few months taking lessons until she is 100% ready and confident that she is capable of driving on her own. Passing the test is one thing, actually feeling ready to drive is another, I don't think you'll get the latter on an intensive course.

In the unlikely event you live near Luton ( god forbid ) my old driving instructor was amazing and would recomend him to anyone... assume he is still doing it now! Can probably dig out his number if you do live near. If not though, I'd speak to people who have learnt to drive in the past couple of years and try and find a GOOD instructor - makes all the differance.

Also, if you shop at Tesco and collect clubcard points, you can exchange them for BSM lessons..

[dangel]

I'd echo the above - too much, too soon and not enough variance in experience. Don't let her do it (I didn't let my better half either) matey.

[Zak33]

would you be offended if I said this?

Driving is part passing..and part experience

And you only get experience with lots of time,,so having a new driver with a new-born baby onboard is gonna be tricky work for anyone.

Sorry chap..... prolly not gonna help yor plans, but fact is...when you've just had a kid, and justpassed your test....both together is quite stressful

HOWEVER..... were it World War 2 right now, you'd have to...and it would all work out ok...

so do what you two feel is best

[threepe]

I would not rush the experience. Learning to drive is stressful enough, but having a deadline to pass by is just piling on the pressure.

If you are patient with her then I would suggest weekly lessons with an instructor, and then you taking her out to let her practice what she has been taught. Just try and not teach her! Let the driving instructor take the lead with that, and just help her practice what he is teaching.

The more time behind the wheel with someone there to help out the better.

[Shorty]

I am going to say different. I tried the "2 hours a week" and failed 3 times. So I took a break and did a 36 hour 5 days course (and it's intensive NOT crash). Passed at the end. By the end of the week, you are very focussed on driving and not just passing the test. It has made a noticable difference to my driving and I am glad I went that route