Do male and female learners pass at different rates at Maidstone?

At Maidstone the male pass rate is 48.7% and the female pass rate is 44.5%, Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025. That shows a small gap in performance at this centre, Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025.

Should I practise in Bearsted or near the Maidstone test centre?

Start in Bearsted to build basic control on quieter streets, then move lessons toward Maidstone for test-specific practice. Ending a lesson at the test centre helps you learn local approaches and parking.

How long does it usually take to learn to drive in this area?

Learning time varies with ability and practise frequency, so there is no fixed period for Bearsted. Regular weekly lessons plus independent practice usually reduces the time to pass.

Are pass rates better at nearby test centres than Maidstone?

Nearby Gillingham has a pass rate of 45% and Ashford (Kent) is at 48.1%, Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025. Ashford sits above Maidstone's 46.6%, while Gillingham is slightly lower, Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025.

Can I find intensive driving courses near Bearsted?

Some local instructors offer intensive courses, but availability depends on the eight instructors in the area. Ask instructors directly about block bookings and course structure when you enquire.

How much do driving lessons cost?

Driving lesson prices vary by location and instructor, typically ranging from £30 to £45 per hour. Many instructors offer discounted rates for block bookings of 10 or more lessons. First lessons are often discounted to help you get started.

How many driving lessons will I need to pass?

Most learners need between 40 to 50 hours of professional tuition, plus around 20 hours of private practice. However, this varies based on your confidence, how quickly you learn, and how often you practice between lessons.

Should I learn in a manual or automatic car?

If you pass in an automatic, you can only drive automatic cars. Passing in a manual gives you the flexibility to drive both. Automatics are easier to learn in and becoming more popular, especially with electric vehicles on the rise.

How do I book my driving test?

You can book your practical driving test online through the DVSA website or by calling their booking line. You will need your provisional licence number and your theory test pass certificate number. Tests cost £62 on weekdays or £75 on evenings and weekends.

What should I look for in a driving instructor?

Look for a fully qualified ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) with good reviews. Consider their availability, the type of car they use, their teaching style, and whether they offer the lesson times you need. A good instructor should be patient, clear in their explanations, and make you feel comfortable.

Can I use my own car for driving lessons?

Most instructors prefer to use their own dual-controlled vehicles for safety reasons. However, some may offer lessons in your car for an additional fee. You would need to ensure your car is properly insured for learner driver use.

Find My Instructor Search

Find a driving instructor in Bearsted without chasing people one by one.

Bearsted is a village on the edge of Maidstone with a local feel and easy access to the town for lessons and tests. Learners often practise on quiet residential streets and busier roads near the town centre. You can expect short drives to the test centre, which keeps lessons focused on local junctions and roundabouts. Local instructors usually know the Maidstone test routes well.

Start free instructor search

You pay the instructor directly for lessons. We only charge a small booking fee of £18.99 to £34.99 if we secure you a real start date, and it is refunded if you do not start on the agreed date.

Covering Bearsted

instructors we may be able to check for you

Manual coverage

Automatic coverage

What we confirm before any fee

Availability, lesson price, start date, and how you will pay the instructor directly.

Free to start

No upfront payment to submit your search. You pay the instructor directly for lessons, and we only charge a small booking fee if we secure a real start date.

Local proof, not guesswork

Local lesson prices currently range from £22 to £40 per hour, paid directly to your instructor.

You can prioritise a name

If a profile catches your eye, we can try that instructor first, then continue nearby if they are unavailable.

Area coverage

12 instructors

Typical price

£22 to £40/hr

Average rating

4.9 / 5

Nearest test centre

Maidstone

Local instructor proof

We check availability so you do not have to chase.

These profiles help show the local instructor pool. Your main route is still to start a free search and let us confirm who can actually take you on.

Martin

Chatham

5.0

Manual

Martin Bradford is an A graded Approved Driving Instructor with a strong record of helping learners pass first time. He is ba...

Evenings Weekends

Check Martin first View profile

Andrew

Sittingbourne

5.0

Automatic From £32/hr

Andrew Pidduck, known to everyone as 'Lester', is a fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) with a strong backgroun...

Evenings Weekends

Check Andrew first View profile

Andy

Maidstone

5.0

Manual

Andy Stigle is a fully qualified DVSA driving instructor based in Maidstone. He offers affordable driving lessons for all age...

Evenings Weekends

Check Andy first View profile

Patrick

Gillingham

5.0

Manual From £35/hr

Patrick Pender runs Drive4Life Academy, offering driving lessons in Gillingham and across Medway. He's a DSA approved and CRB...

Evenings Weekends

Check Patrick first View profile

Wojciech

North Kent

5.0

Manual

Wojciech is a calm, friendly driving instructor at Marshal Driving School who really knows his stuff. He is patient and expla...

Check Wojciech first View profile

Neil

Medway

5.0

Manual

Neil is a driving instructor at Medway Driving School and is known for being calm, patient and genuinely supportive. He knows...

Nervous learners

Check Neil first View profile

How it works here

You tell us the shape of the lessons. We do the chasing.

Start with your postcode or town

Choose manual or automatic, tell us when you want to start, and add a preferred instructor if you already have one in mind.

We secure real availability

We only move forward with instructors who can cover your area and match the requirements you chose, including transmission and instructor preference where supplied.

You review the offer before paying

You see the confirmed lesson price, likely start date, and how you will pay the instructor directly. We only charge the small booking fee once you are happy to go ahead.

Local snapshot

Area covered: Bearsted
Visible instructors: 12
Booking fee only: £18.99 to £34.99
Nearest test centre: Maidstone

In Bearsted

Local lesson prices currently range from £22 to £40 per hour, paid directly to your instructor.

The nearest test centre is Maidstone with an overall pass rate of 46.6%.

Questions people ask

Finding a driving instructor in Bearsted

How far is the nearest driving test centre from Bearsted? +

The nearest DVSA test centre is Maidstone, approximately 2.1 miles from Bearsted. That centre ran about 5,803 tests in the last year, Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025.

What is the Maidstone test centre pass rate for Bearsted learners? +

Maidstone's practical pass rate is 46.6%, Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025. This is slightly below the national average of 47.3%, Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025.

Are there many driving instructors in Bearsted? +

There are eight instructors listed for the Bearsted area. Availability can be limited at peak times, so book early if you want specific lesson times.

How much do lessons cost in Bearsted? +

The local average price is 28 per hour. Costs vary with instructor experience, car type and whether you buy lesson packages.

Start in Bearsted

Tell us what you need. We'll find the instructor.

Search is free to start. You pay the instructor directly for lessons, and we only charge the small booking fee after we have confirmed a real instructor, a start date, and the lesson details.

Start free instructor search

Booking fee if matched: £18.99 to £34.99. Lesson payments go directly to your instructor.

Find a driving instructor in Bearsted without chasing people one by one.

We check availability so you do not have to chase.

Martin

Andrew

Andy

Patrick

Wojciech

Neil

You tell us the shape of the lessons. We do the chasing.

Start with your postcode or town

We secure real availability

You review the offer before paying

Finding a driving instructor in Bearsted

Tell us what you need. We'll find the instructor.

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