Intense Drive

Negative experience: I booked an intensive driving course through National Intensive and were allocated Claire as the instructor for our daughter. As a driving instructor I would have thought that there are a couple of key requirements: 1. A reliable, clean car 2. Communication so that you know when the lessons are Sadly Claire fails on both fronts. I have had numerous issues, with appalling communication from Claire where I have had to chase multiple times over to get confirmation of dates and times. This isn’t about moving the time of the lesson by an hour or so, but not being able to even get confirmation of the date of a lesson. There have been two separate instances of having to cancelling block bookings due to two separate car issues. I appreciate that anyone can have car problems and initially I was sympathetic, but to have happened twice when we had booked is more than a coincidence. And a reliable car is surely a prerequisite of a driving instructor? One instance resulted in a cancelled test – which to be fair National Intensive did rearrange at their cost – but only after several messages from me. The only way I manged to finally get commitment to any dates and times from Claire was by requesting my money back (which I had to pay upfront as part of the National Intensive agreement). The only reason we stuck with it was that National Intensive had fobbed me off back to Claire and she already had my money and I knew I wasn’t going to see it again. So I felt I had no choice but to continue with her to get the lessons that I had already paid for. Thankfully my daughter has now passed her test, but this was also followed by the examiner taking Claire to one side after the test to tell her off about the state of her car which the examiner described as “unacceptable”. Would suggest that you use your money more wisely than I did and go elsewhere.

Negative experience: I feel I have no choice but to write this review and warn others not to use this service. Claire is completely unreliable and has no respect for your time. She cancels and asks to reorganise lessons last minute, and when things go wrong, is slow to respond and seemingly has no intention to provide a refund of money owed. ... After another intensive driving course cancelled last minute, I thought I was onto a winner when Claire said she could step in. Before paying for the course we organised the date and times for seven 4-hour slots over 7 days and she confirmed that her car would be available for use in the test I had booked a few days after the final lesson. First two lessons went fine. The third lesson she asked to move earlier by an hour. Then less than an hour before the new start time reverted back to the original time. The fourth lesson she asked to move and then subsequently cancelled. Then she cancelled the fifth lesson. Then two days before my test, she cancels all remaining lessons and says the car will not be available for the test slot anymore. Claire has wasted both my time (5 days of annual leave I could not cancel), my money and a precious driving test slot. I now can't get another test slot for 6 months. I was left nearly £500 out of pocket through lesson time not provided. I have chased for a refund. 2 weeks later - nothing in my account. All of a sudden Claire is difficult to get a hold of and when she does respond says she's "sorting it with the bank". If you want a reliable instructor who sticks to an agreed lessons schedule, doesn't make last minute cancellations, and when things do go wrong admits fault and provides the refund you are owed, then I strongly advise you do not use Claire and Intense Drive.

Negative experience: Would put zero stars if I could. This woman was supposed to teach my partner to drive in 8 5Hour days, she messed us about for months up to this point trying to book and rebook a theory, being very unresponsive and rude. (However when she was chasing her money at the start of the booking process she thought it was perfectly fine to text every single day, even though the payment was being made from a business account and needed to be processed properly). 8 months later we managed to get a date from her to book annual leave and do the course. A couple of days seemed good, then the excuses started and the communication dropped off, lessons were held at night in the rain (with a nervous driver who has been losing faith in the instructor due to their poor attitude), a test was not booked on the day promised and another booked for the week following meaning another days annual leave needed to be taken. Days missed. Days cut short. Messages left unopened or ignored. More lessons given only at night and attitude continuing to get worse. Acting like the lessons were too much hassle for her to possibly squeeze in during daylight despite having been paid £1800 for 40 hours of lessons. 25.5 hours given, no test as she would not allow the use of her car after my partner called a lesson off in the dark and pouring rain due to being so anxious he couldn't think straight. All caused by claires serious lack of customer care. And zero response since the day we asked for that test to be cancelled. None. In 8 weeks. This woman is just a bad human being, BUT if you pay her and get your lessons short notice then you stand a chance, as she will do anything to get money NOW and have another pass to put up on her facebook page. I am disgusted at her conduct throughout this whole process and wouldn't wish this on anyone. (Assuming she will deny all this, so happy to post screenshots of conversations with her should this happen as she has done with others who dared speak oit against her) EDIT: So we get a response on here but not a single message from you to him to try and book the remaining hours that he paid for, refund us for the lost hours, or to give him lessons in daylight? We paid you for 40 hours and you provided 25.5 with zero remorse and care for his actual learning. You messed us about so much it had a really negative affect on both of our mental health. You know exactly how you treated us and putting some bland apology on here does nothing to rectify any of it. You should be ashamed of yourself.

Fantastic experience: Claire was a brilliant driving instructor, she was very patient, i had her for 5 days and passed first time.

Negative experience: Avoid if you can. Very Unprofessional instructors. Total waste of time

Fantastic experience: Only with Claire for 4 days. She was an excellent teacher who went the extra mile to take time out of her busy schedule to take me on short notice. I really appreciated the method in which she helped it was very useful. Would most definitely recommend!

Fantastic experience: Passed first try on the test with claire, thorough guidance where needed and patient with any faults I made during lessons.

Fantastic experience: Claire was exceptional and extremely accommodating to my needs. I was upgrading from an automatic to a manual and I passed the first time only because of her help. I would highly recommend, thank you!

Fantastic experience: Was great fun, easy and a laugh. My driving instructor was a right giggle and made it stress free and comfortable environment making me feel at eas. Along with the banter and laughs. Which meant I passed first time with little to no minors.

Negative experience: Unresponsive, unprofessional. Would avoid if you need a serious instructor.

Fantastic experience: Just like to say a big thanks Claire for helping Ryan pass his driving test. Was the best early Christmas present we could have hoped for. Would definitely recommend you for anyone needing l sons or an intense driving course.

Fantastic experience: Claire is an amazing instructor. Rlly glad I went with her. Passed first time

Fantastic experience: Would definitely recommend, Claire was absolutely amazing with me and knew exactly what to do !

Fantastic experience: Claire was the best instructor!! Made me feel super comfortable and was the first instructor I had that I looked forward to having my lessons!! Passed my practical first time and honestly couldn’t fault her! Thanks for all your help and kind words

Fantastic experience: I failed several driving tests in the past and spent almost 10 years associating driving with failure. But with the help of Claire and the Intensive Driving course I was able to finally pass! Claire was a excellent instructor - calm, friendly, clear and encouraging. And the team at Intensive answered any emails I had quickly and clearly. I much preferred this method of practising and taking tests to what I had done in the past!

Fantastic experience: Claire was such a fantastic teacher. I started learning to drive 13 years ago and failed 2 tests then stopped. I tried to pick it up again this year and after a terrible experience with another instructor I went to Claire lacking all confidence and making more mistakes than ever. I completed an intense course with Claire and was a completely different driver by the end - I passed my test first time! Claire is patient, so helpful, friendly and puts you at ease while you learn I would highly recommend