29, living in Leeds, UK, need to learn to drive FAST. Advice?

Question

I'm 29, living in Leeds and working in Bradford. I need to learn how to drive in the next 3 - 6mths to enable me to apply for a promotion I want. What's the best way? I have some money at the moment and was thinking about doing a week's intensive to get going, then follow up with 2hr weekly lessons until an instructor says I'm okay to do a test. As I'll have to commute pretty much straight away, I might also need a Pass Plus. Never been before the wheel of a car before. How long do you think it will be before I can pass the test and be comfortable driving? I've got good eyesight, average-good visual memory, good at reading maps. Would say my reaction times are okay, but have no idea about coordination. Does touch-typing and being a whiz at Tetris count ? ;) All advice gratefully received especially about instructors in Leeds area. Thanks

Answer 1

do a crash course...cost about £500, takes about 5 days, thats your theory and practical test inclusive.

hope this helps

Answer 2

I can't help you in the Leeds area but here's some advice I hope will be helpful.

First off, your plan is basically a good one. Do the intensive bit to get you started, then do a few hours a week until you are ready. I have to say that intensive courses have a notoriously poor pass rate because the lack of driving experience between lessons shows up on the test. Also, intensive courses are incredibly tiring and it's hard to learn on such long days.

Average human concentration time is 40 minutes!

These schools that offer unlimited lessons and guaranteed pass make me fume. They charge about £2000 which, at £20 per lesson, gives you an idea how much leeway they are allowing if you fail a few! Average learning time is two hours for every year of your life - in your case that would be 58. You should be able to do that they way you have planned.

I think your instincts are good. If you need any further help by all means contact me.

Answer 3

Hiya!

I agree, an intensive course is the way to go.  Look at this one:

http://www.one2onedrivingschool.com/

They offer a guaranteed pass driving course which has unlimited amount of driving lessons and driving tests untill you pass and can include 1 attempt at the theory test too.

Best of luck!

Phoebs

Answer 4

should do a weeks intensive driving course they will take your right from the novice driver right up to your driving test, driving tests are usualy part of an intensive driving course.. all in 1 week

one thing youll probably need to do before the course will your theory and other stuff, youd need to check with the driving school first

Answer 5

Instructors are the best way,but you should call soon they could be busy !

Answer 6

Assuming you've already got your provisional licence, then apply right now to do the theory part of the test (which is all about the highway code). Then you can do an intensive 5 day course with your test at the end of the week.

I know lots of people who've done this successfully.

Answer 7

go away on a weeks residential course.

Pass rates are better and you won't be distracted by work.