Do male and female candidates pass at different rates at Barnstaple?

Yes. Male candidates had a pass rate of 53.8% and female candidates had a pass rate of 41.3% at Barnstaple in 2024-2025. Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025.

How many tests are carried out at Barnstaple each year?

Barnstaple recorded 3,356 tests in the 2024-2025 period. This gives an idea of local demand for practical tests. Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025.

How much will lessons cost around Ilfracombe?

There is no average local price in the provided data. Costs are influenced by instructor travel, lesson length, and whether lessons start in Ilfracombe or a nearby town like Barnstaple.

How long will it take to learn to drive in Ilfracombe?

Learning time depends on individual progress and lesson frequency, not on a fixed local figure in the data. Factor in travel to lessons if your instructor is based outside Ilfracombe, as that can affect how often you can book lessons.

Should I practise driving in Ilfracombe before taking my test at Barnstaple?

Yes. Practising in Ilfracombe helps with local street layouts and hill starts, while lessons around Barnstaple will familiarise you with test routes. Combining both is a sensible approach.

Are there alternative test centres if Barnstaple is fully booked?

Nearby alternatives include Swansea and Bridgend, which are farther away but may have different availability. Check those centres if you need more flexible test dates; their pass rates are 47.7% and 51.3% respectively. Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025.

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 Ilfracombe without chasing people one by one.

Ilfracombe sits in the South West and offers a compact, local feel for learner drivers. Roads in and out can be narrow with steep sections and short urban stretches to practise on. There are currently no local driving instructors listed in the area, so many learners travel out for lessons and tests. Expect a mix of quiet side streets and busier tourist-season traffic.

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Covering Ilfracombe

instructors we may be able to check for you

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What we confirm before any fee

Availability, lesson price, start date, and how you will pay the instructor directly.

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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 £37 to £45 per hour, paid directly to your instructor.

You can prioritise a name

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

Area coverage

4 instructors

Typical price

£37 to £45/hr

Average rating

4.8 / 5

Nearest test centre

Barnstaple

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.

Cath

Barnstaple

4.8

Manual + automatic From £43/hr

Hi, I'm Cath Roberts. I've been running my driving school in Barnstaple for over 25 years now, and I've got more than 50 year...

Nervous learners

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Tony

Barnstaple

Manual From £37/hr

Tony Shields is a fully qualified Government Approved Driving Instructor running his own independent LDC driving school in Ba...

Intensive

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Rob

Barnstaple

Manual From £45/hr

Rob Nelson has been a driving instructor for over 20 years, based in Barnstaple, North Devon. He's taught countless pupils in...

Nervous learners Motorway

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Simon

Barnstaple

Manual

Hi, I'm Simon. I've been teaching people to drive around North Devon for over 10 years now, and I still love it. I'm a DVLA A...

Nervous learners Intensive

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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.

We secure real availability

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

You review the offer before paying

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: Ilfracombe
Visible instructors: 4
Booking fee only: £18.99 to £34.99
Nearest test centre: Barnstaple

In Ilfracombe

Local lesson prices currently range from £37 to £45 per hour, paid directly to your instructor.

The nearest test centre is Barnstaple with an overall pass rate of 46.8%.

Questions people ask

Finding a driving instructor in Ilfracombe

How far is the nearest practical test centre from Ilfracombe? +

The nearest DVSA test centre is Barnstaple, about 9.4 miles from Ilfracombe by road. Allow extra travel time on test day for traffic and parking.

What is the pass rate at Barnstaple test centre? +

Barnstaple had a 46.8% pass rate in the 2024-2025 reporting period. Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025.

Are there any driving instructors based in Ilfracombe? +

There are no listed driving instructors in Ilfracombe in the provided data. Many learners use instructors from Barnstaple or nearby towns.

How does Barnstaple's pass rate compare to the national average? +

Barnstaple's pass rate of 46.8% is slightly below the national average of 47.3% for the same period. Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025.

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Booking fee if matched: £18.99 to £34.99. Lesson payments go directly to your instructor.

Find a driving instructor in Ilfracombe without chasing people one by one.

We check availability so you do not have to chase.

Cath

Tony

Rob

Simon

You tell us the shape of the lessons. We do the chasing.

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We secure real availability

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