5DAY Birmingham Intensive Driving Courses - Sutton Coldfield

Jordan

I completed a 5days course in January 2023 and think there are some things people should be aware of... The theory training was done well, it's largely completed on iPad but the instructor was present and always willing to help. I passed first time so no complaints. The quality of the practical driving lessons was good I couldn't ask more from my instructor Nadim, great guy. There's ~20 hours of driving throughout the week, as contracted. I was already going into the week with ~10 hours lessons under my belt. By the end of the course I had completed a couple of test routes but had failed 2/3 of them. In all honesty, I wasn't really ready to pass my test after 5 days. I think most will need more lessons, which means more money.

I did not get my test booked in until a YEAR after my course... (I was told before booking it would be a matter of weeks and 5days had links with the DVLA to speed up the process). I was assured by 5days that they were doing everything they could to expediate my test date. Although I only received one email as an update over the entire 12 months, shocking given the price point. Communication from them was generally poor. They said the delay was due to the COVID backlog the DVLA are facing... but 12 months... really?! Be aware, there is nothing in the 5days contract that covers you for this delay besides the 1 hour lesson before your test. Unsurprisingly I needed to fork out additional money on top of the £1400 I'd already spent to pay for lessons in order to improve my driving and relearn the things I'd forgotten over the 12 months... I ended up spending well over £2000. I passed first time in Feb 2024 a full 13 months after my course.

Upon reflection, there is little benefit to a 5days course. You will end up spending more and it will take just as long to get passed anyway given the backlog. Better off just doing lessons normally and booking your test in advance. Again my instructor Nadim, was fantastic... wish him and his family well.

3/5 - Good teaching but poor transparency and communication from 5days on the testing climate.

James D.

One year one and time for update.

Absolutely amazing news my partner has passed her test second time.

With absolutely zero In put from 5 day after she failed first time round and was told she would not get any refresher lessons. So that is another scam to what's advertised.

5day great at taking your money and not so great at actually following through with what's promised.

Terrible service, terrible after care, terrible customer service.

I feel sorry for the people that have saved up and not seen or followed the reviews.

Avoid.

If I was able to give a zero I would.
Absolutely 100% avoid.
In the end I booked my own test after waiting 6 months from the end of the training 5 days.

They swapped driver instructors around so didn't take test in same car learnt in.

Driving instructor rude and very un friendly.

After failing now been told no refresher lessons as advertised.

So complete waste of money would have been better putting the money in my log burner to keep warm over winter.

Be warned it's a total scam.

S

My son has been waiting over a year for his test . When he called 5 Day his position in the queue had not changed from the last time he phoned over 6 months before. He will soon have to take another written test . Absolutely joke

Dan C.

Absolute shambles!!! Had to pester them to get my theory booked… then done finally when came through. After this it took a month before they could look into booking practical lessons as admin had to do called put my theory test stuff through. After 4-5 attempts of booking practical lessons for a week I’ve been cancelled on 1st time the rest I’ve been booking on and then just not even told a instructor isn’t turning up which has made me book 4-5 weeks off work for no reason so that is a absolute joke. Do not use this company at all if possible I wish I could give 0 stars will be claiming my money back asap these people are an utter joke. Not once do they let you know how it’s going or of cancellation. Requested a callback 2 hours ago and was told I’d get a call in a hour… 2 hours later still waiting for this call…. 🤣🙈
Shambles of a company!!!!!!!

S K.

The course was good. However I did have to find my own test date due to the backlog. But, I will say that Nadim was the best instructor I’ve ever had! He taught me really well and I passed my test. He’s really calm, patient and overall a great instructor in my opinion.

Josh M.

The week intensive I did at 5Day was interesting. They give you the theory classes in the morning, which are helpful but start to get a little repetitive. The driving is in the afternoon, you get 20 hours of driving during the week but as of right now it has been 7 months since I completed the week course. Passed my theory on Friday, and I am STILL waiting for my driving test.

I understand covid has knocked the wait back a bit, but the wait was 6 months when I completed the week. It literally would have been quicker for me to book it myself when I finished.

When you finish your week, CALL 5DAY STRAIGHT AWAY. I was told to wait and then call, but upon calling, they said no call when you finish. Because of this, I wasted 20 working days thinking that they were already sorting it for me like the adverts say they do. Nope. You have to tell them.

If I had the choice of going with them now or choosing someone else or doing it myself. I definitely would not choose 5day to do an "intensive" course. Get the lessons in your own time - it will cost the same and book a test early on so at least then you know you have one. The uncertainty that this course has left me with is horrible.

To reply to the snarky reply that this review has received:

"complimentary tuition and assessments have been provided to this pupil" I have no idea what this means. I got given an assessment due to my previous instructor leaving 5Day, not because of any other reason. I have not received any "tuition", I'm not sure what is meant by this.

This review is an honest review of what I think of the course as a whole and not a response to the assessment I had recently. I expected to be rusty after not being given a test date for 7 months, that's not the problem.

Also, you should not, under any circumstances, reveal any personal information about my tests or progress unless I have stated so myself. Please refer to my email inbox if there are any further responses or queries.

Anas K.

NO STAR DESERVED,

I enrolled in the driving crash course in August with the understanding that I would be taking my test at the end of September. Unfortunately, it is now November, and the test has not taken place, which is contrary to the information provided during the sign-up process.

This delay has caused considerable inconvenience and has disrupted my plans. I was counting on completing the course within the initially promised timeframe.

Additionally, my attempts to seek clarification and updates through customer service have been less than satisfactory. As a foreign National , I have consistently encountered rudeness during phone conversations, which has been both surprising and disappointing.

I urge the necessary steps to be taken to expedite the scheduling of my test, and I hope for an improvement in the customer service experience for all participants. Clear communication and respectful interactions are vital for ensuring a positive experience for everyone involved.

Jay V.

The theory and practical practice was very informative and detailed. My driving instructor was amazing! He made me feel super comfortable on the roads as I was a complete beginning and got me to test standard within the five days. Couldn’t recommend it enough was a brilliant experience and made some good friends too. Thanks again to the 5day team 👍🏼