Our Bradford-on-Avon instructors offer a range of services including manual and automatic lessons, intensive courses, and flexible scheduling to fit around your commitments. Compare prices, read genuine student reviews, and find an instructor who matches your needs and budget.
Best Driving Instructors in Bradford-on-Avon
Compare verified, top-rated instructors with genuine reviews from real students
Jamie Wilkins
Jamie Wilkins is an Approved Driving Instructor with over 16 years of experience. In that time he’s helped hundreds of learners become safe, confiden…
Steph Longden
Steph Longden is a friendly, professional female Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) with a great local reputation. She focuses on safety, confidence a…
Learning to Drive in Bradford-on-Avon
Bradford-on-Avon is a small market town on the Kennet and Avon Canal, with a compact historic centre and narrow streets. Learners get to practise on quiet lanes as well as the A363 Bath Road into Trowbridge. Local driving has a mix of stone bridges, canal towpaths and commuter traffic heading for Bath and Trowbridge. With only two local instructors, you may need to travel a short distance for more lesson options.
Nearest Test Centre: Trowbridge
Trowbridge test centre is about 2.7 miles from Bradford-on-Avon, a short drive along the A363. Expect modern facilities and around 401 tests a year at that centre, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. The centre's pass rate is 53.6%, which compares favourably with the national average, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. Male candidates at Trowbridge pass at 56.0% and female candidates at 51.9%, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025.
Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)
Pass Rate Analysis
Trowbridge records a 53.6% pass rate, higher than the national average of 47.3%, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. Nearby Chippenham has a 51.8% pass rate, while Bristol (Kingswood) sits lower at 45.6%, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. The male pass rate at Trowbridge is 56.0% and the female pass rate is 51.9%, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. That spread is similar to regional patterns where local centres often differ by a few percentage points, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025.
Local Driving Tips
Start lessons on Bridge Street to get used to narrow roads and tight parking. Practise hill starts and junctions on Bath Road, where traffic builds at peak times. Watch out for cyclists and walkers near the canal towpath at Avoncliff and the locks. Use quieter lanes off the A363 for manoeuvres and emergency stops before trying busier Trowbridge routes. Expect roundabout practise as you approach Trowbridge, and get comfortable with dual carriageway merges if you head towards the A36.
Choosing an Instructor in Bradford-on-Avon
With only two instructors listed locally, check availability and how far they will travel for lessons. Look for instructors with up-to-date ADI registration and dual-control cars. Ask about pass statistics and recent pupil feedback before you commit. Expect to compare lesson lengths and cancellation policies as part of your decision.
Lesson Costs in Bradford-on-Avon
Lesson prices in this area vary by instructor experience, lesson length and time of day. Limited local supply can push prices up slightly, so ask about block-booking discounts and whether the instructor will supply a car for the test.
Getting Started
Apply for your provisional licence online or by post before you book lessons. Study for and book the theory test, then begin practical lessons with a qualified instructor. When you're ready, book your practical test at Trowbridge test centre, about 2.7 miles away. Bring your theory pass certificate and provisional licence on test day, and make sure you have practiced the likely local routes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last reviewed: February 2026