How busy is the Galashiels test centre?

The centre ran about 911 tests in 2024-2025 (Data source: DVSA 2024-2025). That level of activity means popular test dates can fill up, so book early to secure a convenient slot.

Can I take my test at nearby Hawick or Kelso instead?

Yes, Hawick is roughly 12.7 miles away and Kelso about 14.6 miles away according to the data. Hawick had a 45.8% pass rate and Kelso had a 57.4% pass rate (Data source: DVSA 2024-2025).

How much will lessons cost in Galashiels?

No local average lesson price is provided in the data. Expect costs to vary by instructor experience, lesson duration and travel needed for specialist practice sessions.

What roads should I practise for a Galashiels test?

Practise on the A7 for higher-speed sections and for joining and leaving faster traffic. Also use nearby rural lanes to get used to narrow roads and blind bends, and rehearse urban manoeuvres around the town centre.

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

There is no fixed timeframe in the data. The time to learn depends on lesson frequency, prior experience and how quickly you master town and rural roads used around Galashiels.

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 Galashiels without chasing people one by one.

Galashiels sits in the Scottish Borders on the A7 corridor between Edinburgh and Carlisle. It has a small-town feel with short drives to Hawick and Kelso. Learners get a mix of quiet residential streets and rural single-track roads as soon as you leave the town. That variety makes lessons useful for building confidence on different surfaces.

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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 Galashiels

instructors we may be able to check for you

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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.

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

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If a profile catches your eye, we can try that instructor first, then continue nearby if they are unavailable.

Area coverage

2 instructors

Typical price

£38 to £38/hr

Average rating

Ratings shown where available

Nearest test centre

Galashiels

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.

Jamie

Melrose

Manual From £38/hr

Hi, I'm Jamie Buchanan. I'm a driving instructor based in Melrose, working under the LDC driving school franchise. I've been ...

Evenings Weekends

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Colin

Selkirk

Manual

Colin is a modern, DVSA-approved driving instructor based in Selkirk who focuses on helping learners become smart, safe drive...

Check Colin first View profile

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.

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We only move forward with instructors who can cover your area and match the requirements you chose, including transmission and instructor preference where supplied.

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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: Galashiels
Visible instructors: 2
Booking fee only: £18.99 to £34.99
Nearest test centre: Galashiels

In Galashiels

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

The nearest test centre is Galashiels with an overall pass rate of 56.8%.

Questions people ask

Finding a driving instructor in Galashiels

Is there a DVSA test centre in Galashiels? +

Yes, Galashiels has its own DVSA test centre about 0.5 miles from the town centre. The centre recorded a 56.8% pass rate and handled around 911 tests in 2024-2025 (Data source: DVSA 2024-2025).

How many driving instructors are in Galashiels? +

The provided data lists one instructor in Galashiels. That means instructor choice in town is very limited and you may need to expand your search to Hawick or Kelso for more options.

How does the Galashiels pass rate compare to the national average? +

Galashiels has a 56.8% pass rate compared with the national average of 47.3% (Data source: DVSA 2024-2025). This indicates pass outcomes at the local centre are above the national figure.

Are there differences in pass rates for men and women in Galashiels? +

Male candidates passed at 57.1% and female candidates at 56.4% at the Galashiels test centre (Data source: DVSA 2024-2025). The rates are very close, showing little gender gap locally.

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