How Intensives Work

An intensive driving course puts all of your training into a short space of time, so you pass in weeks rather than months. Ours do not run as a rigid one-week block. We call our way of doing it the Flexi approach: your hours are built around your job, your college timetable and your energy, because fixed blocks fail the people they are sold to.

This page explains the whole thing. How many hours you need. How the hours get scheduled. What happens with your theory test. And exactly what we can and cannot do about your practical test date, under the DVSA rules that changed on 12 May 2026. If you would rather talk it through, call us on 0330 223 2127.

Choosing The Course + Tests

Start here. Get the number of hours right first, and everything after this falls into place.

How Many Hours Do I Need?

It comes down to how much driving you have already done. This is the guide we use, and it is the same guide on every page of this site.

• Never driven, and driving makes you nervous, or you simply want the most support: Platinum 50
• Never driven, and you want extra time: Gold 45
• Never driven, and you are keen to crack on: Gold 40
• Around 5 to 10 hours behind you: Gold 35, our most popular course
• 10 to 20 hours: Silver 30
• 20 to 25 hours: Silver 25
• 25 to 35 hours: Silver 20
• 35 hours or more, and you have sat a test before: Bronze 15
• 35 hours or more, with a test already booked: Bronze 10, for a final sharpen

If you drove years ago and it feels like starting again, treat yourself as a beginner and look at Gold 40, or Gold 45 if you want more time.

Not sure? Call us on 0330 223 2127 and we will tell you honestly which one fits. We would rather put you on the right course than the cheapest one. And hours can be adjusted once you start, agreed with your instructor, so you are never stuck with the guess you made at booking.

See all nine course packages

What about the tests?

Two tests, two different answers.

Your theory test. We can book this for you. Tick it when you book, and we will get you the earliest slot we can find. Our online theory training is part of your course either way, and you do not need a theory pass before you book a course.

Your practical test. Since 12 May 2026, only you can book, change or pay for your practical test with the DVSA. No driving school can do it for you, and any school that says otherwise is not telling you the truth. What we give you is test date support: guidance on which centres and times give you the best chance, help with the DVSA booking rules, and your final hours scheduled around the date you secure. No bots, no scanning software, and we never ask for your DVSA login.

How Soon Can I Start? / How Does The Course Get Delivered?

Most learners start training within six weeks, and often sooner. It depends on instructor availability in your area. If a slot opens up earlier than expected, we will offer it to you.

There are two ways to plan your course. Pick the one that describes you.

Option 1: you already have a test date

We build your training around the date you have already booked. Your instructor holds time in the weeks running up to your test, so the hours land when they matter most. Book early, because that instructor time gets taken quickly.

Option 2: you do not have a test date yet (most people)

This is what most learners do. You start a big block of your hours straight away, and keep the rest back for the week before your test. On a Gold 40, that might be 30 hours now and 10 hours saved for the run-up. While you train, you keep watching for an earlier test slot, and our optional Test Alerts + Booking Strategy add-on can flag when earlier slots may appear. The point is simple: you walk into your test sharp, not rusty.

Either way, sessions run from 2 to 6 hours, any day of the week, between 6am and 7pm. Back to back, or spread out over weeks. That is the Flexi approach, and it is why we do not sell fixed one-week blocks.

For Those in Employment:

Yes, you can absolutely book with us! Many of our candidates successfully balance their training with work commitments. Here’s how it works: Once your instructor provides provisional training dates, you’ll inform your employer to request time off. After getting approval for these dates from your employer, simply confirm them with your instructor. We make it seamless to integrate your driving lessons into your busy work schedule.

For Students in Education (School, College, or University):

Juggling education and a driving course? No problem! Many of our learners in school, college, or university find convenient times for training, thanks to flexible slots during the week, weekends, and school holidays. When booking your course, you’ll have the opportunity to fill out a form detailing all available and unavailable dates/times. This way, we can tailor the training schedule to fit perfectly around your educational commitments.

Need to Complete Your Theory Test?

No problem! We can include your theory test booking as part of your course package. You’ll need to pass your theory test before you can book your practical, so it’s worth getting that done early. Don’t let it hold you up though, you can start your driving course right away and book the practical yourself once your theory is passed.

We’ll secure the earliest available slot for your theory test and keep you informed via email about the date, time, and location. Plus, to boost your preparation, we provide access to our comprehensive theory course material, ensuring you’re well-prepared to ace the test.

What If You Don’t Pass the Theory Test on the First Try?

There’s no need to worry. If you don’t pass the theory test initially, we’ll swiftly arrange a rebooking for you. Depending on your booking conditions, you might be eligible for a retest, or we can schedule another test with the DVSA. Rest assured, we’ll guide you on the best course of action and support you every step of the way.

What if a test date is hard to find?

This is the thing learners worry about most, so here is exactly what happens.

We explain how the DVSA booking rules work. What you are allowed to change, and what the rules do not let anyone do, including us.

We tell you which centres to try. Some centres near you release dates far sooner than others, and your instructor knows the local picture. Testing at a nearby centre instead of the obvious one often saves weeks.

We move your hours to fit the date you get. If the date lands later than you hoped, we hold hours back so you are sharp on the day rather than out of practice. That is the whole point of the Flexi approach.

Want us watching for earlier dates as well? Test Alerts + Booking Strategy is an optional £50 add-on you can choose when you book. We flag when earlier slots may appear, and we give you the step by step: when the DVSA releases slots, how to search properly, and the mistakes that cost people dates. Only you can make that booking with the DVSA. No bots, no scanning software, no account access.

If you are stuck, call us on 0330 223 2127. We do this every day.

Ready?

That is how it works. If anything is still unclear, call us on 0330 223 2127, Monday to Saturday, 8am to 6pm, or email info@lpodacademy.co.uk. A real person will answer.

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