Our Oakham instructors offer a range of services including manual and automatic lessons, intensive courses, and flexible scheduling to fit around your commitments. Compare prices, read genuine student reviews, and find an instructor who matches your needs and budget.
Best Driving Instructors in Oakham
Compare verified, top-rated instructors with genuine reviews from real students
Laura Kingston
Laura Kingston is a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor offering driving lessons in Oakham, Melton, Stamford, Uppingham and the surrounding areas. She k…
Keith Raxter
Keith Raxter is an experienced driving instructor who focuses on giving you solid, safe driving skills that go well beyond just passing the test. He …
Learning to Drive in Oakham
Oakham is a small Rutland market town with narrow streets, a lively Market Place and easy access to countryside roads. Lessons here mix town-centre driving and rural lanes around Rutland Water, so you'll practice both slow manoeuvres and higher-speed A-road work. Local character is calm and steady, but instructor numbers are low so you may need to travel for more lesson slots. You'll often use the A606 for trips out towards Melton Mowbray.
Nearest Test Centre: Melton Mowbray
Melton Mowbray is the nearest DVSA test centre, about 9.8 miles from Oakham, usually a 20 to 30 minute drive via the A606 depending on traffic. The centre handles roughly 2,416 tests a year, so booking can be competitive at peak times. Expect standard town and rural test routes from Melton Mowbray and a busy reception area on test days.
Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)
Pass Rate Analysis
Melton Mowbray has a pass rate of 49.1%, compared with the national average of 47.3% (Data source: DVSA 2024-2025). Male candidates at Melton pass at 53.6% and female candidates at 45.1% (Data source: DVSA 2024-2025). Nearby Leicester centres show lower pass rates, 35.5% at Cannock Street and 41.6% at Wigston, which may reflect different test volumes or local route difficulty (Data source: DVSA 2024-2025). With only two local instructors in Oakham, waiting times can affect how quickly you get to test level.
Local Driving Tips
Start lessons in town, practising right turns and parked car recovery around Market Place and Station Approach where roads are tight. Move onto the A606 early so you grow used to lane position and higher speeds before test day. Watch for farm vehicles and narrow lanes outside town, especially on Burley Road and routes towards Rutland Water. Practice roundabout approach and lane choice at any mini-roundabouts you meet, and rehearse independent driving for 10 minutes on dual carriageways or A-roads.
Choosing an Instructor in Oakham
With only two instructors in Oakham, check their availability and which test centres they usually take pupils to. Ask if they offer lessons that include time on the A606 and any Melton Mowbray test routes. Expect to pay around 40 an hour on average, and consider block bookings to secure regular slots. Make sure the instructor is DVSA approved and can show recent pass feedback.
Lesson Costs in Oakham
Average lesson price in Oakham is 40 per hour. Total cost depends on how many lessons you need, whether you book intensive courses and whether you take lessons in manual or automatic cars.
Getting Started
Apply for a provisional licence, then start lessons with a local instructor or a nearby school. Book and pass your theory test, then focus on practical lessons that cover town manoeuvres and A-road driving towards Melton Mowbray. Once your instructor feels you are ready, book your practical test at Melton Mowbray or another nearby centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last reviewed: February 2026