Is Newton Abbot a better option for testing?

Newton Abbot shows a 53.3% pass rate, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025, which is higher than Exeter in the provided data. Consider travel time and instructor familiarity with the centre when choosing a test location.

How long does it usually take to learn to drive from Ottery St Mary?

How long you need depends on experience and lesson frequency. With regular lessons and practice, many learners reach test standard in several months. Arrange mock tests with your instructor to judge readiness.

How much do lessons cost in Ottery St Mary?

No local average lesson price is provided for Ottery St Mary in this data set. Expect regional variation, and ask each of the three instructors for their current rates and any block-booking discounts.

Are instructors likely to take me to Exeter for my test?

Many local instructors will take learners to the Exeter test centre, but confirm this before you book. Travelling to the centre for a lesson can help with route familiarisation and test-day logistics.

How busy is the Exeter test centre?

Exeter conducts around 5,675 tests a year, which indicates a busy schedule. Book practical test slots early and consider mock sessions to fit around popular dates.

What should I practise locally before driving to Exeter for a test?

Work on independent driving, junction observations, and common manoeuvres during local lessons. Also practise a full route-length drive so you are comfortable with the longer trip to Exeter and test-day timing.

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 Ottery St Mary without chasing people one by one.

Ottery St Mary is a small South West town with a local feel and a short drive to Exeter for tests. Lessons here often mean a mix of quiet roads and short runs into larger towns. With only three local instructors, expect small class sizes and a personal approach. You will spend some lessons preparing for the route to Exeter, which is about 10.9 miles away.

Start free instructor search

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 Ottery St Mary

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.

Free to start

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.

Local proof, not guesswork

Local lesson prices currently range from £48 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

3 instructors

Typical price

£48 to £48/hr

Average rating

5.0 / 5

Nearest test centre

Exeter

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.

Alan

Exeter

5.0

Manual

Alan Beckett is a fully qualified driving instructor in Exeter and runs Alan Beckett Driving Tuition. He's a member of the Dr...

Evenings Weekends

Check Alan first View profile

Andy

Sidmouth

Manual + automatic

Andy Stovell is a fully qualified DVSA Grade A driving instructor based in Sidmouth who specialises in automatic driving less...

Nervous learners

Check Andy first View profile

Simon

Budleigh Salterton

Manual From £48/hr

Hi, I'm Simon Manning. I'm an independent driving instructor based in Budleigh Salterton, East Devon. I've been teaching peop...

Motorway

Check Simon 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.

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: Ottery St Mary
Visible instructors: 3
Booking fee only: £18.99 to £34.99
Nearest test centre: Exeter

In Ottery St Mary

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

The nearest test centre is Exeter with an overall pass rate of 47.9%.

Questions people ask

Finding a driving instructor in Ottery St Mary

How many driving instructors are there in Ottery St Mary? +

There are three local driving instructors listed for Ottery St Mary. That means availability can be tighter than in larger towns, so contact instructors early to secure lessons.

Where is the nearest practical test centre for Ottery St Mary learners? +

The nearest DVSA test centre is Exeter, about 10.9 miles from Ottery St Mary. Plan for extra travel time on test day to account for traffic and parking.

What is the pass rate at the Exeter test centre? +

Exeter had a 47.9% pass rate, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. That is close to the national average of 47.3%, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025.

How do male and female pass rates compare at Exeter? +

Male candidates passed at 50.8% while female candidates passed at 45.2% at Exeter, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. These splits reflect local outcomes at that centre.

Start in Ottery St Mary

Tell us what you need. We'll find the instructor.

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.