Advanced and Intensive Driving Courses

Whether you’re a new driver looking to build confidence or an experienced motorist wanting to sharpen your skills, advanced and intensive driving courses can make a real difference on the road. In this guide, you’ll discover what these courses cover, the key benefits they offer, and how they can even save you money on car insurance.

What Are Advanced Driving Courses?

Advanced driving courses are structured programmes designed to improve road safety by training drivers to be more attentive, better at hazard anticipation, and more in control of their vehicle. Crucially, safer driving doesn’t mean slower driving — it means smarter driving.

These programmes go beyond the basics of a standard driving test. They build a deeper understanding of road conditions, traffic behaviour, and vehicle handling — for both car drivers and motorcyclists alike.

Completing an advanced driving course can help you:

• Drive with greater confidence — feel more in control in challenging situations
• Improve vehicle handling — whether you drive a car or ride a motorcycle
• Reduce engine and mechanical wear — through smoother, more efficient driving
• Cut fuel costs — better handling leads to higher energy efficiency
• Reach a professional level of skill — recognised and valued by employers
• Enhance your CV — an advanced driving qualification is a sought-after credential in many industries

What Does an Advanced Driving Course Include?

Advanced driving programmes are suitable for both newly qualified drivers and those with years of experience behind the wheel. The curriculum is broad and practical, covering a wide range of real-world driving scenarios.

Driving in the City and Rural Areas

Urban and rural driving each present unique challenges. Advanced driving courses address both environments:

• City driving — improve your orientation at complex junctions, handle heavy traffic, and navigate urban hazards with confidence
• Rural driving — learn to handle blind bends, react to animals on the road, overtake safely on narrow roads, and respond correctly to slow-moving vehicles
• Motorcyclists — develop the ability to assess risk when overtaking or riding in traffic, and react quickly to dangerous situations

Driving in All Weather Conditions

Advanced driving courses prepare you for whatever the British weather throws at you. You’ll receive training on how to drive safely in:

• Rain and standing water
• Snow and ice
• Fog and low visibility
• Blinding sunlight and glare
• Road drifts and surface hazards

You’ll also learn how stopping distances increase significantly in adverse weather — a critical piece of knowledge that can prevent accidents.

Night Driving

Beginner-focused advanced driving courses such as Pass Plus include dedicated night driving training. Key skills covered include:

• Using headlights correctly and adjusting light levels for different conditions
• Dealing with the glare of oncoming headlights
• Accurately judging speed and distance in low light
• Driving confidently and safely after dark

Motorway and Dual Carriageway Driving

Motorway driving is especially important for newer drivers, who are often not exposed to high-speed roads during standard driving lessons. This module covers:

• Maintaining a safe and appropriate speed across varying conditions
• Managing driver fatigue on long journeys
• Knowing how to act in the event of a breakdown
• Using lanes correctly and safely
• Reading and following motorway signs and signals

Fuel-Efficient and Eco-Friendly Driving

Advanced driving isn’t just about safety — it’s also about efficiency. Courses teach you how to work with your vehicle’s gears more effectively, which improves handling and reduces unnecessary fuel consumption. Over time, this can lead to significant savings at the pump.

What Are the Benefits of an Advanced Driving Course?

The advantages of completing an advanced driving course extend well beyond the training itself:

• Fewer accidents — according to RoSPA, advanced drivers and professional racers are statistically less likely to be involved in collisions
• Lower fuel costs — fuel-efficient driving techniques reduce how much you spend every time you fill up
• Reduced vehicle wear — smoother driving puts less strain on your engine, brakes, and tyres
• Cheaper car insurance — many insurers offer discounts to graduates of recognised advanced driving programmes
• A refreshed skill set — ideal for experienced drivers who want to eliminate bad habits picked up over the years

How Are Intensive Driving Courses Taught?

Intensive driving instruction is delivered in the same way as one-on-one lessons with a fully qualified driving instructor — the key difference is the pace and focus. Rather than spreading lessons over several months, an intensive course condenses the learning into a much shorter period, with a strong emphasis on the specific areas where each student needs the most improvement.

How Long Does an Intensive Driving Course Take?

The duration of an intensive course depends on your current level of experience:

• Full intensive course — typically one to two weeks, with four to five hours of practical driving per day
• Semi-intensive course — if you’ve already completed several lessons, a condensed two-day option with around 10 hours of training may be available

When Can You Take the Driving Test After an Intensive Course?

Most intensive driving courses include a practical test at the end of the programme. Once you’ve completed your course, you’ll sit a quick practical assessment — so you can move forward with your full licence without unnecessary delays.

How Much Does an Intensive Driving Course Cost?

Intensive driving courses represent a significant upfront investment, but one that often pays for itself in the long run:

• One-week course — approximately £1,000
• Two-week course — approximately £2,000

To put this in context: the average learner driver in the UK takes around 47 lessons before passing their test — which, at standard lesson rates, can easily amount to £1,000 or more. When you factor in the cost of theory and practical test fees on top, an intensive course can actually be a more cost-effective route to getting your licence — and you’ll be a better driver for it.