Are tests at Salisbury busy?

Salisbury handles about 3,415 tests per year according to the provided data. That volume means test dates can fill up, so book early and discuss availability with your instructor.

How much do lessons cost around Shaftesbury?

Average lesson price in the area is £40 per hour, based on the provided data. Prices can change with instructor experience, travel to Salisbury for test practice, and block booking discounts.

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

How long depends on your starting ability, practice frequency and test booking. Regular lessons, independent practice on local lanes and A-road sessions towards Salisbury will speed progress.

Should I practise on Gold Hill before my test?

Yes, practise hill starts and slow control on Gold Hill and the High Street, as they are steep and narrow. That experience helps with clutch control and observation under pressure.

What if local instructors are fully booked?

If both local instructors are full, consider lessons slightly further afield or block-book extra sessions when available. Travelling to a nearby centre or instructor can also give different route experience and may improve readiness for the Salisbury test.

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 Shaftesbury without chasing people one by one.

Learning to drive in Shaftesbury means practising on steep, historic streets and quiet country lanes. Gold Hill and the narrow High Street teach you clutch control and observation early on. Rural traffic includes tractors and farm vehicles, so expect slow-moving vehicles and tight passing places. Most learners head towards Salisbury for tests and faster A-road practice.

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 Shaftesbury

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 £40 to £40 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

2 instructors

Typical price

£40 to £40/hr

Average rating

5.0 / 5

Nearest test centre

Salisbury

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.

Nick

Gillingham

5.0

Manual From £40/hr

Nick Salzen is a DVSA Approved Driving Instructor with a brilliant track record. He has passed five advanced driving tests, i...

Evenings Weekends

Check Nick first View profile

Ash

Manual

Ash is a fully qualified DVSA Grade A driving instructor with over 15 years of experience. Based in Ash near Aldershot, he's ...

Nervous learners

Check Ash 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: Shaftesbury
Visible instructors: 2
Booking fee only: £18.99 to £34.99
Nearest test centre: Salisbury

In Shaftesbury

Local lesson prices currently range from £40 to £40 per hour, paid directly to your instructor.

The nearest test centre is Salisbury with an overall pass rate of 48.3%.

Questions people ask

Finding a driving instructor in Shaftesbury

How many driving instructors are there in Shaftesbury? +

There are two local driving instructors listed for Shaftesbury. That means you may need to book lessons in advance or travel slightly further for more choice.

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

The nearest DVSA test centre is Salisbury, 18.3 miles from Shaftesbury. Journey time varies with traffic, so allow 30 to 50 minutes to reach the centre.

What is the pass rate at Salisbury test centre? +

Salisbury's practical pass rate is 48.3%, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. Male pass rate is 50.1% and female pass rate is 46.4%, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025.

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

Salisbury's pass rate of 48.3% is slightly above the national average of 47.3%, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025. Nearby centres such as Poole and Trowbridge report higher rates at 54.5% and 53.6% respectively, Data source: DVSA 2024-2025.

Start in Shaftesbury

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.