Our Eastleigh 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 Eastleigh
Compare verified, top-rated instructors with genuine reviews from real students
Richard Chapman
Richard Chapman is a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) specialising in Category B car instruction. He is based in Chandler's Ford and offers dri…
Mahboub Hannan
Mahboub Hannan is an experienced automatic driving instructor at Hannan Driving School in Southampton. He has helped lots of learners pass and really…
Mark Williams
Mark Williams is a fully qualified Driving Instructor (ADI) who keeps his teaching up to date so his learners become safe, confident drivers. He uses…
Learning to Drive in Eastleigh
Learning to drive in Eastleigh mixes quiet residential streets with quick access to the M27 and Southampton. Lessons often cover High Street traffic, Romsey Road junctions and routes around the railway station. You'll get practice on short urban runs and nearby faster roads, so you can build both confidence and motorway awareness. It feels like a small town with direct links to bigger test routes in Southampton.
Nearest Test Centre: Southampton
Southampton test centre is about 2.6 miles away from Eastleigh, so most learners use it for their practical test. Expect a mix of suburban roads and busier routes on the way, often via the A335 or local dual carriageways. The centre had a 45.1% pass rate and ran about 6,880 tests in 2024-2025, so you will face a typical regional testing load, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. Plan your journey to the centre so you arrive calm and a little early.
Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)
Pass Rate Analysis
Southampton's pass rate is 45.1%, below the national average of 47.3%, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. Men at Southampton pass at 47.7% while women pass at 42.6%, showing a noticeable gap, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. Nearby Southampton (Maybush) recorded 46.3% and Winchester recorded 39.8%, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. These figures suggest tests here are slightly tougher than some areas, so targeted practice on local routes helps.
Local Driving Tips
Start lessons around quieter times on High Street and Romsey Road so you can practise junctions without heavy traffic. Spend time on approaches to the railway station and its nearby roundabouts, they give a lot of useful lane discipline practice. Include a few runs out to the M27 to get used to slip-roads and merging at speed. Watch out for peak travel times near the airport and shopping areas, as these bring short, congested stretches that can unsettle learners. Practise hill starts and clutch control on local inclines before test day.
Choosing an Instructor in Eastleigh
Eastleigh only has three local instructors, so availability can be limited and you might need to book ahead. Look for an instructor with a recent DBS check, ADI badge number and good local knowledge of Southampton test routes. Ask about their pass rates and whether they use the roads you will be tested on, and check if they offer lesson packages or intensive courses. Expect to pay a regional rate and be ready to negotiate block-booking discounts.
Lesson Costs in Eastleigh
Lesson prices in Eastleigh vary by instructor experience, vehicle type and lesson length, and there is no single local average to quote. With just three instructors in town, demand can push prices up slightly, especially for weekend or evening slots. Travel to the test centre or instructor travel time may also affect the final cost.
Getting Started
Apply for your provisional driving licence online or by post before you book lessons. Book and pass the theory test, then start practical lessons with a qualified instructor and build hours on local roads and faster routes. When you and your instructor agree you are ready, book a practical test at Southampton, and take your provisional licence and theory pass certificate on the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last reviewed: February 2026