How long does it usually take to learn to drive in Derby?

Learning time varies with individual ability, lesson frequency and road confidence. With regular weekly lessons you can expect steady progress over a few months, but the exact time depends on your circumstances.

Is the Derby (Alvaston) test centre busy?

Derby (Alvaston) runs around 1,150 tests a year, which indicates steady demand. Book well in advance to get a convenient date, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025.

Should I practise on the A52 and ring road before my test?

Yes, practising on the A52 and the A5111 ring road helps with lane discipline and roundabout approaches. These roads feature on many local test routes and help build confidence for higher-speed sections.

Are there differences in pass rates by gender at Derby (Alvaston)?

Male candidates pass at 49.3% while female candidates pass at 41.8% at Derby (Alvaston), Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. These figures show a gap that mirrors patterns seen in some other centres.

How do nearby test centres compare to Derby (Alvaston)?

Burton on Trent is about 11.8 miles away with a pass rate of 38.5%, and Nottingham (Chilwell) is about 12.1 miles away with a pass rate of 41.9%, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. If you can travel, you might compare availability and dates at neighbouring centres.

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 Derby without chasing people one by one.

Learning to drive in Derby mixes tight town streets with faster arterial routes. You will practise in residential areas around Alvaston and on busier stretches near Pride Park and the A52. Short journeys across the city mean varied lesson content and quick access to the test centre. Lessons suit people who want a mix of town and trunk-road experience.

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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 Derby

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 £38 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

10 instructors

Typical price

£38 to £40/hr

Average rating

4.0 / 5

Nearest test centre

Derby (Alvaston)

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.

Andy

Derby

5.0

Manual

Andy Price is a friendly, fully qualified driving instructor with over 16 years of experience in the Derby area. He runs Derb...

Nervous learners Intensive

Check Andy first View profile

Damian

Derby

5.0

Manual

Damian Jones is a DSA-approved driving instructor working in Derby, Ashbourne and the wider Derbyshire area. He's a friendly ...

Evenings Weekends

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Rob

Heanor and Langley Mill

5.0

Manual

Rob is a friendly, down-to-earth driving instructor based in Heanor and Langley Mill. He's been teaching for over 20 years an...

Evenings Weekends

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Munir

Derby

4.7

Manual

Munir teaches at Mughal Driving School and keeps his lessons relaxed and supportive. He focuses on safe and responsible drivi...

Nervous learners Intensive

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Adam

Belper

4.0

Automatic From £38/hr

Adam Blackwell is a calm, patient Approved Driving Instructor with over 15 years of experience. He runs automatic lessons in ...

Nervous learners Motorway

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Andy

Ilkeston

3.0

Manual

Andy Wilkinson has been helping learners get on the road since 2002. He is a Grade A DVSA-approved instructor, holds the RoSP...

Evenings Weekends

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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: Derby
Visible instructors: 10
Booking fee only: £18.99 to £34.99
Nearest test centre: Derby (Alvaston)

In Derby

Local lesson prices currently range from £38 to £40 per hour, paid directly to your instructor.

The nearest test centre is Derby (Alvaston) with an overall pass rate of 45.5%.

Questions people ask

Finding a driving instructor in Derby

Where is the nearest DVSA test centre to Derby centre? +

The nearest test centre is Derby (Alvaston), about 2.3 miles from the city centre. It handles roughly 1,150 tests a year and serves local test routes around the ring road and A52, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025.

How does Derby (Alvaston) pass rate compare to the national average? +

Derby (Alvaston) has a pass rate of 45.5%, which is below the national average of 47.3%, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. The difference is modest and reflects local route difficulty and test volume.

How many driving instructors are available in Derby? +

There are seven driving instructors listed in Derby. That means you may need to book early, especially for weekend or evening lessons.

What does a typical lesson cost in Derby? +

Average lessons cost about £38 per hour in Derby. Prices can vary by instructor experience, travel time and whether you buy block bookings.

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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.

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

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

We check availability so you do not have to chase.

Andy

Damian

Rob

Munir

Adam

Andy

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

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We secure real availability

You review the offer before paying

Finding a driving instructor in Derby

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