Our Earlswood 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 Earlswood
Compare verified, top-rated instructors with genuine reviews from real students
Debbie Blagg
Debbie Blagg is a very experienced driving instructor in Solihull and has run Debi B's Driving School since 1999. She's friendly, patient and underst…
Muhammad Shahnawaz
Muhammad Shahnawaz is a DVSA-approved driving instructor in Birmingham and runs LetMeDrive's practical training. He focuses on intensive and semi-int…
Rouf
Rouf runs RDS Driving School and has spent many years teaching learner drivers across the West Midlands. Based in Birmingham, he is known for offerin…
Tomasz Matuszkiewicz
Tomasz Matuszkiewicz is a DSA-approved driving instructor offering driving lessons across Worcestershire and nearby areas. He covers both theory and …
Learning to Drive in Earlswood
Earlswood sits on the edge of Birmingham in the West Midlands. It feels suburban with a commuter character, so many learners drive toward Shirley and into the city for lessons. There are only a few instructors based locally, so you may travel a short distance for a wider choice. Lessons tend to mix quiet residential streets with busier routes toward Birmingham.
Nearest Test Centre: Birmingham (Shirley)
Birmingham (Shirley) is the nearest DVSA test centre, about 2.4 miles from Earlswood. It runs several thousand tests a year, so booking windows can fill up on weekdays, especially around school runs and peak commuting times. The centre has a 43.6% pass rate, and carried out 6,722 tests in the year given (Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025).
Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)
Pass Rate Analysis
The Shirley centre records a 43.6% pass rate, which is below the national average of 47.3% (Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025). Male candidates passed at 45.9% while female candidates passed at 41.2% at Shirley in the same period (Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025). Nearby Birmingham (Kings Heath) has a notably lower pass rate of 30.1%, and Birmingham (Cocks Moors Woods) records 38.5% (Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025). These figures suggest local test routes and traffic conditions affect outcomes compared with the national picture.
Local Driving Tips
Start lessons on quieter residential roads and build confidence before tackling busier routes toward Shirley and central Birmingham. Expect commuter traffic at morning and late afternoon peak times and plan lesson times to avoid it when you need focused practice. Practice manoeuvres and independent driving on the roads you use for lessons, since test routes often include local junctions and short urban stretches. Ask your instructor for mock tests near the Shirley centre to get used to local traffic patterns and test timing.
Choosing an Instructor in Earlswood
There are four instructors listed in Earlswood, so check availability early if you need flexible hours. Look for an instructor who offers mock tests at the Shirley centre and who can show local pupil pass feedback. Expect to pay around the local average but ask about block lesson discounts and cancellation charges. Make sure the instructor is DVSA approved and insured.
Lesson Costs in Earlswood
Local lessons average around £32 per hour, which matches the area figure. Prices vary with instructor experience, vehicle type and whether you book single lessons or block bookings.
Getting Started
Apply for a provisional licence and prepare for the theory test while taking lessons. Book a practical test at Birmingham (Shirley) when your instructor agrees you are ready, remembering the centre is 2.4 miles from Earlswood. Bring your provisional licence, theory pass certificate and a suitable car for the test. If booking slots are scarce, consider nearby centres but check their pass rates and travel time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last reviewed: February 2026