Our Cleadon 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 Cleadon
Compare verified, top-rated instructors with genuine reviews from real students
Gary Greenup
Gary Greenup is a fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) with 19 years of experience. In that time he's helped nearly 1,000 learners becom…
Tony
Tony is the founder and lead instructor of Chester le Street Driver Training. He has a disciplined but friendly style and teaches learners across Che…
Rob Campbell
Rob Campbell is a DSA-approved driving instructor with Alpha Driving School, based in Newcastle upon Tyne. He teaches using the DSA approved syllabus…
Anthony
Anthony's students have passed with zero minors and describe him as having the patience of a saint. Based in Gateshead and covering the North East, h…
Brian English
Brian English has been teaching people to drive for over 33 years. He qualified as a DSA Approved Driving Instructor in 1986 and since then he's help…
Mark Fleet
Mark Fleet has been teaching people to drive for over 20 years and really knows his stuff. He set up Fleet School of Motoring in 2004 and since then …
Colin Mitcheson
Colin Mitcheson runs Enigma Driving, a friendly driving school based in Newcastle upon Tyne. He offers relaxed, one-to-one lessons for all levels, fr…
John Tinsley
John Tinsley is an experienced driving instructor based in Holywell. He offers friendly, reliable driving lessons that suit how you like to learn. He…
Paulo
Paulo runs Paulo's School of Motoring in Newcastle, where the aim is simple, to help you become a safe, confident driver at your own pace. He keeps t…
Abi Sanders
Abi Sanders is an independent driving instructor based in Gateshead, offering flexible lessons across the local area. She runs Drive With Abi (ABIGAI…
Learning to Drive in Cleadon
Learning to drive in Cleadon feels like learning in a coastal village with quick access to Sunderland. Local lessons often use the A1018 (Sunderland Road) and the A183 coast road for real-world practice. Traffic can change fast around the village centre and at peak times you will meet commuters heading to Sunderland. Lessons here suit people who want a mix of quiet residential streets and short runs on busier routes.
Nearest Test Centre: Sunderland
Sunderland test centre is about 3.3 miles from Cleadon, around a 10 to 15 minute drive depending on traffic. Expect a mix of urban and suburban routes on your test, and a fairly busy test schedule. Sunderland's overall pass rate is 41.6% (Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)), with male 44.9% and female 38.5% splits (Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)). The centre runs around 8,458 tests a year (Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)).
Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)
Pass Rate Analysis
Sunderland's pass rate of 41.6% sits below the national average of 47.3% (Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)). Nearby Newcastle (Heaton) records 27.1% and Newcastle (Gosforth) records 42.9% (Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)). Male candidates at Sunderland tend to pass more often than female candidates, 44.9% versus 38.5% (Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)). Local learners should pick routes and mock tests that reflect these centres when preparing.
Local Driving Tips
Start lessons on quiet residential streets around Cleadon Village before moving on to the A1018 (Sunderland Road) and the A183 coast road. Practice lane discipline and speed changes on the A1018 where traffic can speed up quickly, and watch for cross-traffic at junctions near the village centre. Coastal winds on the A183 can affect steering on exposed stretches, so practise smooth steering and correct gear choices. Spend time on roundabout entries and exits near major junctions, and rehearse parking in the village car parks and narrow lanes.
Choosing an Instructor in Cleadon
There are eight instructors serving Cleadon, so availability can vary across weekdays and evenings. Look for an instructor who knows the A1018 and Sunderland test routes, and who offers lesson plans that include mock tests. Expect prices to hover around the local average of £32 per hour, but check if pass-rate coaching or weekend slots cost more. Ask about cancellation policies and what happens if you need extra practice before your test.
Lesson Costs in Cleadon
Average local lesson cost is about £32 per hour in Cleadon. Prices change with instructor experience, lesson length, and whether you book block packages or one-off sessions.
Getting Started
Apply for your provisional licence online or by post before you start lessons. Book and pass your theory test, then begin practical lessons that cover village roads and the A1018/A183. When your instructor thinks you are ready, book the practical test at Sunderland, bringing your provisional and theory pass details on the test day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last reviewed: February 2026