Driving lessons near me

According to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), you must hold a provisional licence, be at least 17 years old, be able to read number plates from 20m away (with glasses or contact lenses, if necessary), and be insured on the car you’ll be driving in.

Additionally, you must be accompanied by a qualified driver who is 21 or older and has held a licence for 3 years. Finally, during all driving lessons and practice sessions, you must always display L plates.

If you are prepared with all the necessary documents and fulfil each of these conditions, the next step is finding nearby driving instructors who fit your learning style. From there, your driving lessons and private practice will propel you towards earning a licence.

You can get a provisional driving licence by applying to the DVLA. Online applications cost £34 but you also need to meet several conditions. You must be at least 15 years and 9 months old, and have access to several personal documents, including:

• Proof-of-identity document (e.g. a passport)

• National Insurance number

• Home addresses covering the past 3 years

• Valid photo

• Your signature

Once you've received your provisional driving licence, it’s valid for 10 years. If you don’t pass your theory and practical tests to get a full driving licence during that time, you’ll need to renew your provisional licence.

New drivers learn at different rates but, on average, you’ll need 45 hours of driving lessons with a qualified driving instructor. On top of that, you might need another 20 hours of private practice to hone your driving skills. And you’ll also have to dedicate time to studying for your theory test.

You can choose to condense your driving lessons into an intensive short course, over a week or two. Some people find this helps them pass more quickly. Alternatively, you can stretch out your driving lessons over several months, like most people. There's no right option here, it's all about your learning style.

If you're struggling to get to grips with driving, don't panic. Persistence and patience will help you make incremental progress towards earning your full driving licence. If you're having trouble with specific driving techniques, ask your driving instructor to focus on that area.

Typically, you can expect to pay between £20 and £35 for a 1-hour driving lesson. For an average learner who needs 45 hours of driving lessons, that comes to between £900 and £1575. That's a major cost for most people, so you need to make sure you're hiring the right driving instructor.

Of course, the cost of driving lessons varies depending on several factors, like driving instructor experience levels and your location. You can often get discounted prices by booking a block of lessons, but it’s best to try one lesson before committing to a full course.

Then there are the types of driving lessons you want. You could book intensive driving lessons. They might have a higher upfront cost but could help you pass more quickly. Other types of driving lessons – Pass Plus and refresher driving lessons, for example – might differ in price compared with regular driving lessons.

Getting value for money is far easier if you take quotes from several driving instructors. Don't just speak to them about the total cost of driving lessons but about payment terms, their availability, and their experience. Balance and consider all these factors before committing to a driving instructor.

Booking a theory test costs £23, while a practical driving test costs between £62 (weekdays) and £75 (evenings, weekends, and bank holidays). Test slots are not always available during evenings and weekends. If you fail your test and want to try again, you’ll have to pay the full amount once more.

Avoid wasting your money by making sure you're ready for each test. Take some time to look into common theory test mistakes and practical test errors. If you feel like you have some weaknesses, focusing on building your confidence and skill with your driving instructor is the way to go.

Yes, you definitely need insurance while learning to drive. If you’re learning with a registered driving instructor, the driving school almost always covers insurance. Make sure you check what's included when signing up with a driving school, otherwise you could find yourself in trouble.

When learning with a family member or practising between lessons, you’ll need your own learner or provisional driver insurance, or to become a named driver on someone else’s insurance policy. Each of these options keeps you insured and covered while learning.

Failing to arrange insurance can lead to a steep fine and points on your licence before you’ve even passed your test. That is the last thing you want. Take care to make sure you're fully insured and protected before you start learning to drive.

If you’re unhappy with your current driving instructor, you can always switch to someone new – either within the same driving school or elsewhere. You might want to switch because you don't enjoy their teaching style, you're not gelling with them on a personal level, or because of practical reasons, like availability.

Before you make the decision to change driving instructors, look into the relevant cancellation and refund terms, or you might not get your money back. It's best to examine the cancellation and refund terms before booking driving lessons in the first place, or it could cost you.

Try to think about why you didn't enjoy driving lessons with your instructor before booking with your next professional. If you can identify what went wrong, you're much more likely to find a suitable driving instructor moving forward.

Yes, there’s nothing wrong with specifically asking for a female driving instructor. This can be for cultural, religious, or personal reasons. Driving schools try to accommodate these requests, but due to the lower number of female driving instructors, it isn’t always possible.

Larger driving schools tend to have both male and female driving instructors. Generally, they'll set you up with an instructor automatically, unless you specifically state you want a female driving instructor.

If the driving schools in your area don't have any available female driving instructors, you might have better luck contacting an independent professional. If you're ready to book driving lessons, you can find female driving instructors on Yell.

Most driving instructors give lessons in smaller cars that are easier for learners to handle – like Ford Fiestas and Peugeot 108s. The car you learn in will partly depend on the nature of your driving lessons, though. For example, you’ll have to drive an automatic car during automatic driving lessons.

If you have any strong preferences about the car you want to learn to drive in, you can always ask driving instructors what vehicles they use. Of course, you can choose to take driving lessons in your own car, too, rather than in your driving instructor's vehicle. This is something to discuss with your preferred driving instructor before booking lessons.

Driving instructors' cars usually have dual controls that allow the instructor to control the vehicle in emergency situations. However, dual controls are not technically a legal requirement. That means there's no guarantee a driving instructor will have dual controls.

Many learners like taking driving lessons in a car that has dual controls. This gives them peace of mind if they make a mistake. If you’d prefer to learn to drive in a vehicle with dual controls, check with your driving instructor if that’s something they offer.

First lessons take place in quiet settings and focus on the basics. You’ll be shown how to start the car and how to handle the important instruments – gears, pedals and so on. Learning these skills in the earlier driving lessons will give you a foundation to develop more advanced driving techniques.

Make sure you inform your driving instructor if you already know some or all of this, who’ll adjust the lesson as needed. Even if you already know the basics, there's nothing wrong with going over the fundamentals again – this can give you the solidity and confidence to succeed in your driving lessons.

Feeling anxiety before taking and during driving lessons is normal, and nothing to feel ashamed of. Driving lessons can be a nerve-wracking experience for many people, though ongoing familiarity with driving – and your driving instructor – should help you feel at ease.

Picking a driving instructor with the right temperament and teaching style can help you feel less nervous – especially if you’re open about your concerns with them. Remember, your driving instructor can help you with your fears and anxieties if you're willing to openly discuss them.

It might be that your driving instructor slows the pace of your learning, allowing you to build up confidence. Or perhaps you simply need some reassurance that you're doing a good job. Whatever it is, you'll find the help you need if your instructor knows why you're struggling.

In the UK, driving instructors must be assessed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) before they can charge for driving lessons. If they're qualified and registered as an approved driving instructor (ADI), they'll have evidence of that.

You can ask to see their ADI badge and use their name and ADI number to check they're registered on the DVSA's website. If your chosen driving instructor isn't there, don't panic. Driving instructors can choose not to appear on this service, but you can still contact the DVSA with their details to check if they've been approved.

It's a major red flag if a driving instructor can't prove they're registered. When a driving instructor is unwilling to show their ADI badge or provide their ADI number, it's best to choose a different driving instructor who you can feel sure is qualified and reliable.

Before booking lessons with a local driving instructor, you need to make sure you're on the same page. Here are the key questions that you should ask driving instructors before committing to them.

• What qualifications and experience do you have?

While you don't necessarily need a deeply experienced driving instructor to learn how to drive, many drivers prefer a seasoned professional. Ask about their qualifications (including proof of their ADI registration) and history as a driving instructor.

This will help you see that they're qualified, but also whether they're the right type of fit for your situation. If the driving instructor is unwilling to show off their qualifications, it could be a sign that they're an unreliable or even unqualified instructor.

• What is your teaching method?

It should come as no surprise that learners need different teaching methods and philosophies to succeed. You should have an idea of the type of teacher you need to make quick progress on your journey to passing your driving test.

This is the perfect time to learn if their teaching style isn't the right fit for you. The more detail they can go into about how they structure lessons, provide feedback, and build confidence, the better.

• Do you have experience with nervous learners?

It's not unusual for learners to feel anxious about learning to drive. If you're feeling that way, you should prioritise finding a driving instructor who knows how to handle nervous learners. Conversely, you should forget about booking lessons with impatient or unsympathetic instructors.

Driving instructors should be able to tell you about how they accommodate anxious learners and what they do to calm those nerves. If it seems like they're providing an unsatisfactory answer, keep contacting driving instructors to find someone more suitable.

Consider posting a free enquiry on Yell, mentioning that you're nervous about learning to drive. This way, more suitable driving instructors who know how to handle nervous learners will contact you directly, saving you the time and trouble of browsing professionals yourself.

• What is your availability?

Learning to drive is a real commitment, requiring an average of 45 hours of driving lessons. That means you'll need to find the time to arrange lessons around your normal work schedule, social life, and other commitments.

You need to know when driving instructors are available during the week, and whether any scheduling conflicts exist. If you can't match up your diaries and find the time for lessons, it's not a good fit. By asking about their availability, you're giving yourself the practical platform to succeed.

• How long are your driving lessons?

Most driving lessons take between one and two hours. Some people prefer shorter lessons more frequently, while others like longer lessons. There's no right or wrong answer, it's about understanding your preferred learning style and fitting lessons into your schedule.

By asking how long driving lessons take, you're making sure that you can fit them in with your other commitments, and that you're getting enough time to develop your skills. Some driving instructors let you choose the lesson length, so think carefully about what best suits you.

• What are your payment terms and cancellation policies?

The total cost of driving lessons matters a lot, but so do the payment and cancellation terms you're accepting. Always ask about how you're expected to pay (whether in bulk, for a discount, or on a per-lesson basis) and whether there are any additional charges or fees.

Take some time to read the change and cancellation terms, in case you want to cancel individual lessons or end your agreement with your driving instructor. If you're unsure about the instructor, harsh cancellation fees might be a good reason to take your business elsewhere.

• Is your car fitted with dual controls?

Many driving instructors outfit their learner cars with dual controls, allowing them to take control of the vehicle during emergencies. However, dual controls are not legally required, so there's no guarantee a driving instructor will have them installed.

If you'd prefer to learn in a vehicle with dual controls for peace of mind, make sure to ask whether that's something the instructor can provide. If they can't, you'll have no problem finding local driving instructors who can offer this feature.

• Can you provide references or testimonials?

The easiest way to check whether a driving instructor provides a high-quality service is by asking for references or testimonials from previous learners. They can give you insights into their teaching philosophy, communication style, and any potential shortcomings.

Reading through recent customer reviews and asking for testimonials and references is a reliable method to get a clear understanding of instructors. It's a red flag if they're unwilling to provide you with references or testimonials, and you're better off contacting other local driving instructors.

• Do you offer assistance for the theory test?

Driving instructors always provide guidance and support to help you develop your practical driving skills, and many offer the same type of tuition for the theory test. Yet, that isn't always the case. In some cases, driving instructors focus almost solely on the practical driving test.

If you're looking for help with building your theory knowledge, or you'd like mock exams from your instructor, you'll need to make sure that's something they offer. Get a clear idea of how much time and the type of resources they'd be willing to give you.

• What is your pass rate?

As you'd expect, the pass rate is a simple metric that tells you how successful instructors have been in teaching previous learner drivers. It's the percentage of learners that have passed their test and earned their licence, following driving lessons with the instructor.

Ask them what their pass rate is and compare it with the UK's national average of 48% (per the DVSA). If it beats the average, that's a positive sign. This can be a useful stat for assessing a driving instructor's quality, but it is just one indicator. You should keep in mind their other qualities as well.

If you don't quite manage to pass your practical driving test, don't worry. Many learners require more than one test to earn their driving licence. If you fail your test, you'll receive feedback on where you fell short and how you can improve moving forward.

You'll be able to rebook your test to try again after a 10-day waiting period. That interim will allow you to work on any weaknesses before the next test rolls around. Depending on your test performance, you might consider taking some time to work on your driving skills before rebooking your test.

There's no certain way of knowing you're ready to pass your practical driving test, but your driving instructor can assess your skills and confidence and let you know you're ready to try. You should also have a sense of your own skills and confidence, and think about whether or not you feel ready to take the test.

You can make sure you're in the right place to take the test by having your driving instructor conduct mock tests. If you pass the mock test, it might well be time to book the test. If not, you had better keep practising until you're ready.

In the UK, tipping driving instructors is not generally expected. With that said, if you feel that your driving instructor has provided exceptional service, you could give them a tip, gift, or positive review after earning your driving licence.

Small gifts of appreciation can be a nice gesture, especially if learning to drive has been a challenging process for you. Remember, though, that tips should never be expected or required by driving instructors.

According to the DVLA, foreign licence holders are usually allowed to drive in the UK for 12 months using their home country's driving licence. After that time, though, drivers must pass a driving test if they're to remain full licence holders.

Foreign licence holders will need a provisional licence to apply for the test, though they don't need to display L-plates or drive under supervision during that 12-month period. They might consider booking some driving lessons to build up familiarity with the British road system.