Our platform makes it easy to compare driving instructors in Exeter and the surrounding areas. Browse profiles, check availability, read genuine reviews from past students, and send enquiries directly to instructors.
All instructors listed are fully qualified ADIs (Approved Driving Instructors) registered with the DVSA. Start your search today and take the first step towards getting on the road.
Best Driving Instructors in Exeter
Compare verified, top-rated instructors with genuine reviews from real students
Kevin
Kevin is a driving instructor and trainer with Training Wheelz, a friendly local driving school covering Exeter, East Devon, Bridgwater and Taunton. …
Alan Beckett
Alan Beckett is a fully qualified driving instructor in Exeter and runs Alan Beckett Driving Tuition. He's a member of the Driving Instructors Associ…
Nick Capron
Nick Capron runs Exeter Intensives, a well-known driving school based in Exeter. He has over 20 years of experience as a DVSA Approved Driving Instru…
Passmore
Passmore runs Passmore School of Motoring, based in Exmouth and covering Exmouth, Weymouth, Dorchester, Bridport and the surrounding villages. The ai…
Andy Stovell
Andy Stovell is a fully qualified DVSA Grade A driving instructor based in Sidmouth who specialises in automatic driving lessons. His first-time pass…
Learning to Drive in Exeter
Learning to drive in Exeter mixes quiet residential streets with busy A-roads. You will practise on narrow city lanes near Gandy Street and on faster stretches by the M5 junction 30. Local driving has a riverside feel around Countess Wear and a mix of student traffic near the university. I know the local test routes well and they swing between Marsh Barton industrial roads and quieter suburbs.
Nearest Test Centre: Exeter
Exeter DVSA test centre is about 4.9 miles from the city centre. Expect standard practical tests on both urban and A-road sections, and a steady number of bookings through the year. The centre runs around 5,675 tests a year and has a 47.9% pass rate, with men at 50.8% and women at 45.2% (Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025).
Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)
Pass Rate Analysis
Exeter's test centre pass rate is 47.9%, slightly above the national average of 47.3% (Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025). Men pass at 50.8% and women at 45.2% at Exeter, showing a modest gap (Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025). Nearby Newton Abbot reports a higher pass rate at 53.3% (Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025). That makes Exeter fairly typical for the South West, with tests spread across urban and A-road sections.
Local Driving Tips
Start lessons familiarising yourself with narrow lanes around the Cathedral quarter before tackling the A377. Expect heavier traffic on Alphington Road and at the Marsh Barton roundabout during peak hours. Practise joining and leaving the M5 at junction 30 so you are confident on slip-roads and faster lanes. Watch for cyclists on Cowley Bridge Road and the shared-use paths near Countess Wear. Parking and reversing in tight streets near the university need deliberate practice. Mock tests that include a run out towards the A38 to the bypass will help with independent driving.
Choosing an Instructor in Exeter
There are five instructors listed locally, so availability can change fast. Look for an ADI who knows Exeter test routes, junctions like Marsh Barton, and the M5 junction 30 approaches. Ask about pass rates, lesson length and whether they offer block-booking discounts. Expect to book ahead, especially during student term time and weekends.
Lesson Costs in Exeter
Lessons in Exeter vary with instructor experience, car type and lesson length. A small local instructor pool can push demand up at busy times, so prices may be higher for evenings and weekends. Ask instructors about package deals and what is included in the hourly rate.
Getting Started
Apply for your provisional driving licence online or by post before booking lessons. Book and pass your theory test, then start regular practical lessons with an ADI who knows local roads. When ready, book a practical test at Exeter DVSA test centre and use nearby routes like Marsh Barton and the A377 for mock runs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last reviewed: February 2026