FAQs
The questions learners actually ask us
Hours, instructors, tests, money and getting started — answered properly, without the sales gloss.
Courses and hours
What is an intensive driving course?
An intensive course packs your tuition into days or weeks instead of a lesson a week for a year. You book a set number of hours — usually between 10 and 40 — and take them in blocks of two to four hours, several times a week, finishing with a practical test.
How many hours do I actually need?
The DVSA figure most instructors use is around 45 hours of professional tuition plus private practice for a complete beginner. If you have driven before, you need fewer. Our course recommender asks four questions about your experience and suggests an hour band rather than defaulting to the biggest course.
How long does a course take from start to test?
A 10-hour booster can be done in a week. A 40-hour beginner course typically runs six to eight weeks. The limiting factor is usually practical test availability in your area, not the tuition itself.
Manual or automatic?
Manual gives you a licence for both. Automatic is quicker to learn and suits anyone who finds clutch control the main barrier. Both are available across the network, though automatic instructors are in shorter supply in some areas.
Can I take a course if I have never driven at all?
Yes. The 30, 35 and 40-hour courses are built for complete beginners and start with cockpit drill and moving away on quiet roads.
Instructors
Are your instructors DVSA approved?
Every instructor teaching a course is a DVSA approved driving instructor (ADI) holding a green badge. We verify badge numbers against the DVSA register before an instructor takes bookings and re-check annually. Where a trainee instructor (PDI, pink badge) is available, it is stated clearly before you book.
Do I get the same instructor throughout?
Yes, wherever possible. Continuity is a big part of why intensive courses work. If your instructor has to hand over — illness, a house move — we brief the replacement on exactly where you are up to.
Can I ask for a female instructor?
Yes. Tell us at enquiry and we will match you where one covers your area. Availability varies by town, so it can affect how soon you start.
What if I do not get on with my instructor?
Tell us and we will move you, with your remaining hours transferred across. No argument, no fee. It happens occasionally and it is nobody's fault.
Tests
Do you book my practical test?
We can book it for you, or work around a test you have already booked. Either way the DVSA fee is paid to the DVSA and is not included in the course price.
How do I get an earlier test date?
Cancellation slots appear constantly. We watch for earlier dates at your chosen test centres and move your test if a suitable slot appears and your course will be finished in time.
Do I need to have passed my theory test first?
You need a theory test pass certificate before you can sit the practical, and it lasts two years. You can start a driving course before passing theory, but do not leave it late — book it early and use our free theory practice while you learn.
Can I use the instructor's car for the test?
Yes, that is standard. It is dual-controlled, insured for test use and you will already be comfortable in it.
What happens if I fail?
You get a fault report from the examiner, we review it with your instructor, and you take targeted hours on whatever went wrong before retesting. Where our pass guarantee applies, that additional tuition is covered under its terms.
Money
How much does a course cost?
Everything is priced from a single hourly rate of £61.23, so a 10-hour course is £612.28 and a 40-hour course is £2,449.10. No booking fee, no admin charge.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes — a deposit plus balance, or Klarna and Clearpay instalments at checkout, subject to status. See the ways to pay page for the full list.
What is not included?
The DVSA practical test fee, the theory test fee, and your provisional licence. Everything to do with tuition — fuel, the car, insurance, the instructor's time — is included.
Can I get a refund?
Yes, under our refund policy, including a full 14-day cooling-off period from booking.
Getting started
What do I need before my first lesson?
A valid UK provisional licence, glasses or lenses if you need them to read a number plate at 20 metres, and comfortable flat shoes. That is it.
Do you cover my area?
We cover 74 towns and cities across England, Scotland and Wales. Put your postcode into the search box and we will show you what is available near you.
How soon can I start?
In most areas within one to two weeks. Peak periods — summer and the run-up to Christmas — book out faster, so enquire earlier if your dates are fixed.
What if I have a disability or additional need?
Tell us at enquiry. We match you with an instructor experienced in supporting that need and can arrange automatic tuition, shorter sessions or adapted vehicles where available.
Not covered here? Email info@fasttrackdrivinglessons.co.uk or use the contact form.
Not sure how many hours you need?
Answer four quick questions and we will recommend a course based on your experience, not a sales target.