Our Chatham 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 Chatham
Compare verified, top-rated instructors with genuine reviews from real students
Martin Bradford
Martin Bradford is an A graded Approved Driving Instructor with a strong record of helping learners pass first time. He is based on St Marys Island i…
Andrew Pidduck
Andrew Pidduck, known to everyone as 'Lester', is a fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) with a strong background in safety and teaching…
Andy Stigle
Andy Stigle is a fully qualified DVSA driving instructor based in Maidstone. He offers affordable driving lessons for all ages and abilities, and kee…
Wojciech
Wojciech is a calm, friendly driving instructor at Marshal Driving School who really knows his stuff. He is patient and explains things clearly, whic…
Neil
Neil is a driving instructor at Medway Driving School and is known for being calm, patient and genuinely supportive. He knows everyone learns differe…
Sean
Sean is the founder of Turn to Learn and has been teaching people to drive since 2008. He's calm, patient and easy to get on with. He passed his own …
Babu
Babu is a DVSA registered driving instructor with Axlr8 School of Motoring, which has been running since 2001. He has loads of experience and really …
Michaela
Michaela has over 20 years' experience as a driving instructor, so you're in very safe hands. She first trained with BSM in Maidstone and has taught …
Paul
Paul is a Grade A driving instructor, equivalent to the old Grade 6, so you know you're learning with someone at the highest level. He's been giving …
Glenn
Glenn is a friendly, experienced driving instructor with over 10 years as a fully qualified DSA Approved Driving Instructor. He is known for being pa…
Learning to Drive in Chatham
Learning to drive in Chatham mixes tight town streets with faster A2 approaches into the Medway towns. Lessons often cover busy junctions around the High Street and the riverfront near the Historic Dockyard. The area has an industrial feel with compact residential roads and frequent roundabouts close to the station. You will practice both urban manoeuvres and quick dual-carriageway joins en route to Gillingham.
Nearest Test Centre: Gillingham
Gillingham test centre sits about 2.8 miles from Chatham and handles routes that use parts of the A2 and local residential streets. Expect a busy centre, especially at evenings and weekends, since it runs around 8,936 tests a year. Gillingham's overall pass rate is 45% (Data source: DVSA 2024-2025). Male candidates pass at 48.4% and female candidates at 42% (Data source: DVSA 2024-2025).
Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)
Pass Rate Analysis
Gillingham records a 45% pass rate, slightly under the national average of 47.3% (Data source: DVSA 2024-2025). There is a noticeable gap between male and female pass rates at Gillingham, 48.4% versus 42% (Data source: DVSA 2024-2025). Nearby Maidstone posts 46.6% and Tilbury 36.4% (Data source: DVSA 2024-2025). That range shows performance can change noticeably between close test centres.
Local Driving Tips
Practice joining and leaving the A2, as those merges come up often on test routes. Expect rush-hour queues towards Gillingham and around the M2 junctions, so learn situational speed control and lane discipline. Take time to practise roundabout navigation near Chatham town centre and the Dock Road area. Get comfortable with tight parking and hill starts in older residential streets close to the Historic Dockyard. Learn the one-way systems around the station and High Street so you do not get turned the wrong way during lessons.
Choosing an Instructor in Chatham
Chatham has eight local instructors, so look for someone who knows Gillingham test routes and the A2 approaches. Ask if they offer mock tests and whether they teach in manual or automatic cars. Expect to pay around £28 per hour on average, and check for any discounts on block bookings. Read local reviews and confirm availability for morning or evening sessions.
Lesson Costs in Chatham
Average lesson cost in Chatham is about £28 per hour. Prices vary with instructor experience, lesson length, time of day and whether you book single lessons or blocks. Travel time to pick you up can also affect the final price.
Getting Started
Apply for your provisional licence before booking lessons and the theory test. Start lessons with a local instructor who knows Gillingham test routes and practise both town and dual-carriageway driving. Pass the theory test, then book your practical at Gillingham when your instructor feels you are ready. Use mock tests to get used to the format and timing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last reviewed: February 2026