Should I consider taking my test at Colwick or Derby instead?

Colwick's pass rate is 40.6% and Derby (Alvaston) is 45.5%, Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025. If you can travel, checking availability and local route familiarity may make Derby an option worth considering.

How much do driving lessons cost in Nottingham?

Lesson costs vary by instructor experience, car type and lesson duration, so there is no single local rate to quote. Expect prices to be higher for weekend and intensive sessions and when an instructor offers dedicated test-centre practice.

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

Learning time depends on how often you take lessons and how quickly you pick up skills, so it varies by person. Regular lessons and targeted practice on routes around A52 and the inner ring road will shorten the learning curve.

Are local instructors easy to find in Nottingham?

There are three instructors listed locally, so availability can be limited and lessons may book up quickly. Book early and ask about their experience on Chilwell and Colwick test routes.

What should I practise before my test at Chilwell?

Focus on independent driving, dual-carriageway merging on the A52, and complex roundabouts like Clifton Bridge. Also practise dealing with tram tracks and tight residential streets in Lenton and Beeston to avoid common faults.

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 Nottingham without chasing people one by one.

Learning to drive in Nottingham mixes city traffic with quieter suburban roads. You'll deal with tram tracks, busy inner-ring roads and stretches of dual carriageway like the A52. Local driving feels compact, with test routes usually taking you past Trent Bridge and through Lenton or Beeston. There are only three local instructors listed, so lessons can fill up quickly.

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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 Nottingham

instructors we may be able to check for you

Manual coverage

Automatic coverage

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 £36 to £48 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

12 instructors

Typical price

£36 to £48/hr

Average rating

4.8 / 5

Nearest test centre

Nottingham (Chilwell)

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.

Jim

Nottingham

5.0

Manual From £48/hr

Jim Foster runs Notts Driving School, and he's a fully qualified Grade A instructor with a great reputation in Nottingham. He...

Evenings Weekends

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Russ

Nottingham

5.0

Manual From £38/hr

Russ Chaplin is an independent driving instructor based in Nottingham, with over 23 years of experience teaching learners. He...

Intensive Motorway

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Debbie

Nottingham

5.0

Manual

Hi, I'm Debbie Beet. I've been a driving instructor for over 23 years now, and I run Phoenix Driving School here in Nottingha...

Nervous learners Motorway

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Steve

Nottingham

5.0

Automatic

Steve's first-time pass rate is 72%, well above the national average of 47.5%. Based in Nottingham, he's been teaching for ov...

Nervous learners

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George

Nottingham

5.0

Manual + automatic

George is a fully qualified, DVSA-approved driving instructor with over 10 years of experience, offering driving lessons in N...

Nervous learners

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Lee

Nottingham

5.0

Manual From £45/hr

Lee is a friendly driving instructor based in Nottingham, running Alevel Driving School with his colleague Britt. He's been p...

Evenings Weekends

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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: Nottingham
Visible instructors: 12
Booking fee only: £18.99 to £34.99
Nearest test centre: Nottingham (Chilwell)

In Nottingham

Local lesson prices currently range from £36 to £48 per hour, paid directly to your instructor.

The nearest test centre is Nottingham (Chilwell) with an overall pass rate of 41.9%.

Questions people ask

Finding a driving instructor in Nottingham

How far is the nearest test centre from Nottingham city centre? +

Nottingham (Chilwell) is about 3.4 miles from the city centre, so most learners drive there for their practical test. Travel time depends on traffic, especially around Queens Drive and the A52.

What is the pass rate at Nottingham (Chilwell) test centre? +

The pass rate at Nottingham (Chilwell) is 41.9%, Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025. Use this when planning lesson time and mock tests.

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

Chilwell's 41.9% pass rate is below the national average of 47.3%, Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025. You may want extra lessons focused on local junctions and independent driving to improve chances.

Are there differences in pass rates between male and female candidates here? +

Yes, male candidates at Chilwell pass at 45.6% while female candidates pass at 38.5%, Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025. That split mirrors variations seen at many test centres.

Start in Nottingham

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Search is free to start. You pay the instructor directly for lessons, and we only charge the small booking fee after we have confirmed a real instructor, a start date, and the lesson details.

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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 Nottingham without chasing people one by one.

We check availability so you do not have to chase.

Jim

Russ

Debbie

Steve

George

Lee

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

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We secure real availability

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Finding a driving instructor in Nottingham

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