Intensive driving courses structured learning

Scottish driving school intensive driving courses structured learning programme is suitable for all learner drivers because of its flexible structure.

You decide when you want to pass your driving test and I will then workout a structured learning programme suitable to your needs. The intensive driving course structured learning programme has to be flexible because no two people learn at the same rate. Life issues also come in the way & there always has to be a plan 'B'.

The intensive driving courses you either see on this website or have a pre-conceived idea of what an intensive driving course is, can be designed to suit your requirements & are not written down as the only way to learn to drive. You are an individual & you will have individual circumstances so please me & I will see how we can make it work.

Intensive driving courses structured learning - the facts

You will need to understand how your driving lessons are constructed so that you can learn at a reasonable pace & reach the required standard to pass your driving test thus becoming a safe driver for life.

Structured learning - Fact One
A new learner driver will need on average between 50/60 good quality driving lessons before they can give a good performance on the driving test & possibly pass first time.

DSA recommended structured learning programmeDSA recommended sructured learning programme

Structured learning - Fact Two
Consistently good quality driving lessons should be taken immediately before a driving test for best results. It's no good having around 20 driving lessons over 6 months, then no lessons in the last weeks before a driving test. Maybe money is a bit tight so you skimp on the lessons - the driving examineer does not care how many lessons you can afford to have, only your driving on the day is being examined.

Structured learning - Fact Three
Before taking your driving test you should be confident that you can carry out all of the manouevres without assistance of any type from your driving instructor. If your driving instructor has to remind you of 'XYZ' then you are not ready for your driving test. To pass your driving test first time you should be able to complete your driving lessons with only a few quality comments from your driving instructor in the form of advice rather than driving instruction.

Intensive driving courses structured learning - First day new learners

On the first day of your intensive driving course you will be driven to the quietest roads in the area. From there you will have the car controls explained to you. You will be taught how to move forward, stop & turn corners. Plenty of practice can be given throughout your first day.

By the end of your first day you will have achieved the following:

• Preparing your car for moving off - DSSM - safety checks
• Moving away from the kerb - using POSM procedure- clutch control practice
• Stopping & parking next to the kerb
• Dealing with junctions - Give Way lines
• Turning left - major to minor roads
• Driving away on an uphill - clutch control practice
• Driving away on a down hill
• Understanding the use of your mirrors - MSM-PSL procedure
• Changing gears from 1st to 2nd & 2nd back to 1st.
• Plenty of practice on all procedures

Intensive driving courses structured learning - Next day & further days

• Repeat practice carried over from previous day
• More gear changing - to 3rd & back down to 2nd & 3rd to 1st gear
• Road procedures - dealing with parked cars - anticipating other road users
• Dealing with traffic lights
• Navigating roundabouts - correct use of indicaters & understanding priorities
• Turning the car round in the road
• Reversing around a left corner
• Parallel parking
• Bay parking if required
• Changing into every gear
• Driving on busier roads
• Dual carriagway driving - use of slip roads
• Planning & anticipating your progress
• Emergency stop practice
• Looking at the show me tell me part of the driving test

Intensive driving courses structured learning - Your personal challenges

Within the above schedule your driver training process would include the three phases of the learning process.

• Phase 1 - Full instruction given at every stage
• Phase 2 - Part instruction encouraged
• Phase 3 - Independent driving - you will be driving independently of instruction

No two people learn at the same rate. The topics written above will all be covered on a full 7 day intensive driving course. The 3 phases of your learning process may not be covered in all areas, that will depend on how well you understand the driving process. You may well start your intensive course with pre-conceived ideas - some yours & some that you will have picked up. For best results come with an open mind. That way your driver training should be progressive & move forward after each lesson.

How many lessons?DSA recommended structured learning number of driving lessons

DSA Structured learning drivers record

The Driver's Record is a way of helping you and your driving instructor keep a record of your progress while you're learning to drive.

The Driver's Record has a list of 24 key skills covered in the practical driving test. It has space for your instructor to fill in as you progress through the five levels shown on the Record. Levels one to four should be initialled and dated by your instructor, and full details added when you reach level five. From this, both you and your instructor will be able to see at a glance which skills you need to improve.

You need to learn the skill and then practise to get the experience. You also need to learn both the theory and practical driving at the same time, especially now that the theory test contains a hazard perception part. The record is a pocket-sized leaflet that you should take with you to all your driving lessons.

Structured learning - When to take your practical test

You aren't ready to take your test until you have a complete set of signatures in the level five boxes. Only then can your instructor sign the declaration. By this time you should be able to drive safely without prompting from your instructor or the person helping you to practise.

Don't forget to take the Record with you when you go for your practical driving test. Keep this as a record of your 'learning to drive' experience.

Structured learning drivers recordOfficial copy of the DSA structured learning programme, available for download if you have professional practice
Structured learning drivers record private practiceOfficial copy of the DSA structured learning programme, available for download if you have private practice

If you would like a copy of the driver's record, click on the link above.

New driving test

Prepare now for the new practical test which started October 4th 2010 with an intensive driving course in Scotland. The new practical test known as the Independent Driving test will test your ability to drive for 10 minutes without directional instruction.
Read more and watch the New Driving Test Video....A new driving test was introduced October 2010. Take a look at the details & video

Weekend courses

Weekend intensive driving courses are available on a regular basis. This type of course is ideal for the busy professional or people who are unable to complete their driver training in the week.

A weekend course can be taken as a Saturday or Sunday only and there is no commitment to book every weekend. You could even book a trial weekend to see if it is right for you.
Checkout the weekend intensive course:
Weekend driving lessons Get results fast   »»Weekend driving courses are perfect for the busy professional, or new driver

Residential courses

Residential & local courses are available all year round in Perth, Dundee or Blairgowrie. Residential courses help to keep you focused whilst you are away from your normal daily routine.

New driver weekend courses

New drivers (beginners) are advised to start their driver training by having as many driving lessons as they can over a short period of time. This will help re-inforce the correct procedures for driving away fom the kerb, parking, gear changing & road procedures. A theory test pass is not required for this type of course. An intensive driving course for new drivers is not intended to get you through your test in a week. Those days have long since gone and if you see any websites out there that say any different, then treat them with suspician. You will learn to drive over a few weekend courses, but you may not be ready for your driving test.
How many lessons will you need?How many driving lessons will you need before you are ready to pass your driving test?
New driver courses  »»»New learner driver courses for the absolute beginner. No theory test & no experience required
New driver weekend lessons  »»»Weekend driving courses are ideal for the busy professional, or those wishing to spread the cost.

Previous driving lessons experience

Learner drivers with previous driving experience can sometimes book their driving test at the end of their driving course depending on what previous experience they have had and how long ago.
Your driving lessons may have been sometime ago & taken with a great driving instructor or one of the not so greats. You may have taken a driving test or two or had over 100 driving lessons of poor quality either yours through lack of concentration or your driving instructors lack of attention to your training. Either way, you might be best to book a trial lesson with me before you book your driving test. A trial lesson is not required to book your course unless a driving test is required at the end of your course. Learner drivers with a good driving record of training might only need to book one of the weekend courses.
Intensive courses for experienced learner drivers  »»»Courses for learner drivers with some experience

Your driving instructor

All intensive driving courses are given by myself a top professional driving instructor & life coach all rolled into one

Teaching safe driving for life since 1977

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