How much do driving lessons cost?
Thinking of learning to drive? Our guide details what to expect, how many lessons you'll need and how much it's likely to cost...
As soon as you turn 17 in the UK, you can start to take driving lessons. The aim of driving lessons is to give you the skills needed to pass the driving test.
Where can I take driving lessons?
You can take driving lessons anywhere in the UK, and the chances are there are a number of instructors operating in your town. The government has set up a website allowing you to find approved driving instructors, which you can access here.
How much do driving lessons cost?
There is no minimum or maximum cost for learning to drive, as most instructors set their own prices. However, the average cost of a driving lesson in the UK is £24.
We contacted the British School of Motoring (BSM) and RED driving school, two of the largest providers in the UK, for their average prices.
For a 10-hour package of tuition, RED driving school charges £276, while BSM gave us a quote of £230 for the same time.
According to consumer website safedrivingforlife.info, the average motorist will spend £2582 on learning to drive. Of that, £960 will be spent on lessons, while the other costs include getting a provisional driving licence, fees for taking the practical and theory tests and revision materials.
How many driving lessons will I need to pass?
This will vary from person to person. There is no minimum number of lessons, or minimum number of hours you need to spend behind the wheel in order to pass your driving test. How many lessons you require will depend on how quickly you learn the skills needed to pass the driving test.
The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) says that on average, you are likely to need 47 hours of instruction before passing your test, backed by up to 22 hours of private practice.
What about private practice?
Most driving schools recommend that you practice your skills in between official driving lessons. You can practice with a friend or family member who is over 21, is qualified to drive themselves, and has had a full driving licence for three years. If you’re practising in someone else’s car, you need to make sure that you’re insured to drive it.
You must also put two Learner or L plates on the car, one at the front and one at the back, to identify you as a learner driver.
Why do you need driving lessons?
Driving lessons are designed to help you pass the driving test, and without passing the driving test you are not allowed to drive a car in the UK, it’s as simple as that.
When you've passed your driving test, you might want to consider doing the Pass Plus scheme, which teaches you more skills to cope with different driving situations. Click here to see our full guide to Pass Plus.
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