Learning to drive in the UK can be done in a number of different ways, including hourly tuition courses, advanced course, residential courses, and crash courses.

We have put together some helpful advice on each choice of course to give you a better understanding so that you can compare the differences and benefits of each course.

Hourly Tuition

This is one of the most popular ways to learn to drive, especially amongst first time drivers. It usually involves a one or two hour driving lesson carried out each week with your instructor and usually in their own modified car.

Your instructor guides you through both the theory and practical side of driving and helps you decide when you are ready to take your tests. There is no fixed time scale to learn to drive when you have hourly tuition enabling you to take your time depending on your abilities and confidence.

Crash Course

These courses are designed to make the driving learning process quick and easy enabling you to pass your test as quickly as possible.

You will take your theory and practical tests within a certain amount of time, usually three weeks or one month, and you learn to drive faster than the hourly method.

Fully qualified and experienced driving instructors will teach you throughout a crash course where you will spend many hours on the roads learning the theory as well as the practical side of learning to drive. You usually take your theory test early on in the course and your practical test right at the end of your tuition.

Residential Courses

Residential courses take place away from your home and the distraction of your usual life. They work in a similar way to crash courses where you will have several hours of driving tuition on a daily basis over a period of a few weeks. The bonus is that you will be able to focus all of your attention on learning to drive which will hopefully let you pass your tests quicker.

Residential courses are available throughout the UK by various different driving schools.

Pass Plus

This course is designed for new drivers to help build up driving knowledge, skills and confidence on the roads. It was developed by the DSA and can also reduce the cost of insurance premiums for new drivers.
The course is run over a minimum period of 6 hours over approximately 3 weeks where you will be taught motorway driving, and extend your knowledge of road and traffic situations and hazard awareness. New drivers can only take the Pass Plus course within 12 months of passing their practical driving test. The course is module based without a final test at the end.

Advanced Test

This test takes place over a 30 or 40 mile stretch of a variety of different roads, including country lanes, dual carriageways and motorways, and lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Each road will have a number of hazards and situations which you will be asked to assess using your advanced driving methods and techniques.

The examiner of the Advanced Test must hold a Police Advanced Driving certificate and will have wide experience from working within the traffic sections of the police force

The Advanced Test is not easy to pass but is said to be an enjoyable experience. If passed, it can also help reduce the cost of your insurance premium.