How many driving instructors are available locally in Plymouth?

There are five local instructors listed for Plymouth, so popular lesson times can book up quickly.

How much do lessons cost in Plymouth?

Lesson prices vary by instructor experience, travel distance and lesson length. Expect higher charges if your instructor includes longer sessions to cover A38 junctions or to drive to the test centre.

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

Learning time varies with how often you take lessons and how quickly you pick up skills. Regular lessons that cover town centre driving, roundabouts like Marsh Mills and A38 slip-roads will get you ready sooner, but individual progress differs.

Is it better to take lessons in Plymouth or at nearby Launceston?

Launceston has a higher pass rate of 51.8% (Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025), but it is about 18.8 miles away. Choosing depends on whether you prefer test routes with lower traffic or the convenience of a nearer centre.

How busy is the Plymouth test centre?

Plymouth test centre conducts around 7,444 tests a year, so weekdays can be busy and popular slots fill fast. Book well ahead to get a date and time that suits you.

Can local instructors give mock tests on Plymouth test routes?

Many instructors will run mock tests that mimic local routes, including town centre sections, Marsh Mills roundabout and A38 approaches. Ask your instructor to confirm they cover the actual test routes used by the Plymouth centre.

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 Plymouth without chasing people one by one.

Learning to drive in Plymouth means mixing coastal streets with busy A-road approaches. You will spend time on A38 slip-roads and around Marsh Mills and Manadon roundabouts, then quieter lanes out towards Plympton and Saltash. I live here and many local routes include steep hills near The Hoe and narrow residential streets around Mutley Plain. There are only five local instructors listed, so availability can be tight on popular times.

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 Plymouth

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 £35 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

£35 to £48/hr

Average rating

5.0 / 5

Nearest test centre

Plymouth LGV

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.

Andi

Plymouth

5.0

Manual + automatic

Andi Green is a friendly Grade A Approved Driving Instructor based in Plymouth with years of experience and a great record of...

Evenings Weekends

Check Andi first View profile

Emma

Plymouth

5.0

Manual From £35/hr

Emma Downing runs Streets Ahead Driving School in Plymouth. She's a friendly, patient instructor who teaches in a manual Vaux...

Nervous learners Intensive

Check Emma first View profile

Angie

Plymouth

5.0

Manual + automatic

Angie Presland owns and runs Belt Up Driving School, one of the top three driving schools in Plymouth. She is a DVSA Approved...

Evenings Weekends

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Rob

Plymouth

Manual

Rob is a fully qualified Approved Driving Instructor with over 18 years of teaching experience in Plymouth and the surroundin...

Nervous learners

Check Rob first View profile

Chris

Plymouth

Manual

Chris Piper runs Top Gear Driving School as an independent business in Plymouth. He's a fully qualified instructor who's been...

Nervous learners Motorway

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Mark

Plymouth

Manual From £48/hr

Mark Lane is a friendly, professional driving instructor based in Plymouth. He's been teaching for over 15 years and has an e...

Evenings Weekends

Check Mark 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: Plymouth
Visible instructors: 12
Booking fee only: £18.99 to £34.99
Nearest test centre: Plymouth LGV

In Plymouth

Local lesson prices currently range from £35 to £48 per hour, paid directly to your instructor.

The nearest test centre is Plymouth LGV with an overall pass rate of 44.8%.

Questions people ask

Finding a driving instructor in Plymouth

How far is the Plymouth DVSA test centre from the city centre? +

The Plymouth DVSA test centre is about 3.7 miles from central Plymouth, typically reached via the A38 depending on traffic and time of day.

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

The pass rate at the Plymouth test centre is 45.5% (Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025).

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

Plymouth's pass rate of 45.5% is slightly below the national average of 47.3% (Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025).

Are there differences in pass rates for male and female learners at Plymouth? +

Yes, male learners at the Plymouth centre pass at 47.9% and female learners at 43.0% (Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025).

Start in Plymouth

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.

Start free instructor search

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

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

We check availability so you do not have to chase.

Andi

Emma

Angie

Rob

Chris

Mark

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

Start with your postcode or town

We secure real availability

You review the offer before paying

Finding a driving instructor in Plymouth

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

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