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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.
Some instructors covering Gateshead
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Cheryl
Cheryl Brett runs Turning Point Driving Tuition, an independent driving school in Kent that's been going strong since 2010. She's an Approved Driving…
Gary
Gary Greenup is a fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) with 19 years of experience. In that time he's helped nearly 1,000 learners becom…
Tony
Tony is the founder and lead instructor of Chester le Street Driver Training. He has a disciplined but friendly style and teaches learners across Che…
Abi
Abi Sanders is an independent driving instructor based in Gateshead, offering flexible lessons across the local area. She runs Drive With Abi (ABIGAI…
David
Hi, I'm David Evans. I run Passport Driving School, and I've been teaching people to drive around Newcastle and the North East for a good while now. …
Peter
Peter Edney is a fully qualified Government Approved Driving Instructor running his own independent LDC driving school in Newcastle Upon Tyne. He's b…
Neal
Neal Nonas is a friendly, fully qualified driving instructor based in Newcastle. He runs his own independent LDC driving school and has been speciall…
Colin
Colin Mitcheson runs Enigma Driving, a friendly driving school based in Newcastle upon Tyne. He offers relaxed, one-to-one lessons for all levels, fr…
Dawn
Dawn and Dave Evans run Apollo School of Motoring, a trusted driving school in the North East. They've been teaching for over 30 years and have helpe…
Mark
Mark Fleet has been teaching people to drive for over 20 years and really knows his stuff. He set up Fleet School of Motoring in 2004 and since then …
John
Hi, I'm John Michael. I've been running my driving school in North Shields since 2012, and I love helping people get on the road. I take a no-nonsens…
Brian
Brian English has been teaching people to drive for over 33 years. He qualified as a DSA Approved Driving Instructor in 1986 and since then he's help…
Learning to Drive in Gateshead
Gateshead feels compact for learners, with quiet residential streets near Saltwell and busy stretches around the A1 and A167. You will mix low-speed control practice with short dual carriageway runs and city-centre approaches over the Tyne Bridge. Local crossings into Newcastle and the Team Valley industrial estate give varied traffic and parking challenges.
Nearest Test Centre: Gateshead
Gateshead DVSA test centre is about 1.7 miles from central Gateshead, an easy drive past Saltwell Park and the A167. Expect standard DVSA facilities and local test routes that include the Gateshead Interchange and approaches onto the Tyne Bridge. It handles around 5,042 tests a year, so there is regular turnover for bookings.
Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)
Pass Rate Analysis
Gateshead test centre pass rate is 42.7%, below the national average of 47.3%. Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. Male learners pass at 44.3% and female learners at 41%. Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. Nearby Newcastle (Gosforth) posts 42.9% while Newcastle (Heaton) is lower at 27.1%. Data source: DVSA 2024-2025.
Local Driving Tips
Start lessons on quiet streets around Saltwell to build clutch and steering control. Move on to the A167 and short runs on the A1 to practise merges and higher-speed observation. Team Valley roundabout and the Gateshead Interchange are useful for multi-lane decisions at peak times. Include runs across the Tyne Bridge and the Millennium Bridge to practise lane discipline heading into Newcastle. Watch for bus lanes and cyclists on Bensham Road and around the Quays when positioning.
Choosing an Instructor in Gateshead
There are eight instructors listed in Gateshead, so compare availability and teaching style before you commit. Look for DVSA approval and recent pupil feedback rather than adverts. Expect to pay roughly £32 an hour, and ask about block-booking discounts or intensive course options. Pick someone who knows local test routes around the Gateshead Interchange and Tyne crossings.
Lesson Costs in Gateshead
Average lesson price in Gateshead is £32 per hour. Costs rise for evenings, weekends and intensive courses, and some instructors charge extra for motorway or pass-plus sessions.
Getting Started
Apply for your provisional licence first and then book the theory test when you feel ready. Start regular lessons and use local routes so the practical test roads become familiar. When you book the practical test, you will likely use the Gateshead centre about 1.7 miles from town, which keeps travel time short on test day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last reviewed: February 2026
Guides for Gateshead
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