Our St Ives 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.
Some instructors covering St Ives
Browse profiles and reviews, then request one instructor only. Or use the area search above and let us check suitable instructors for you.
Tony
Tony Martin is a fully certified Approved Driving Instructor with Red Driving School. He offers relaxed, good value driving lessons in and around Bou…
Luke
Hi, I'm Luke. I run Blue Fox Driving Academy, offering driving lessons in Bournemouth and Poole. I'm an ADI qualified, DVSA approved instructor with …
Henry
Henry Elege is the lead instructor at Elegent Driving Academy. He offers professional automatic driving lessons across Bournemouth and Poole and also…
Rob
Rob James is the friendly owner of Home James Driving School, based in Southampton and Lymington. He's been successfully getting candidates through t…
Dan
Dan Murphy has helped people of all ages and abilities pass their driving test for over 18 years. Based in Christchurch, he's a Grade A DVSA approved…
Leo
Leo's passed over 400 students in the last few years, with many first-time passes. Based in Bournemouth, he's known for being patient and genuinely g…
Learning to Drive in St Ives
Learning to drive in St Ives feels relaxed and local. Lessons often start on quieter lanes before you head out towards Bournemouth and Poole. There are seven instructors operating here, so choice is limited compared with bigger towns. You will find a mix of coastal roads and busier A-road approaches on test routes.
Nearest Test Centre: Bournemouth
The nearest DVSA test centre is Bournemouth, about 7.1 miles from St Ives, so expect a 20-30 minute drive depending on traffic. Bournemouth runs around 10,537 tests a year, so there are regular test slots, but popular dates fill up fast, especially in summer. The centre's overall pass rate is 46.9%, with male and female splits published for 2024-2025, so plan lessons to match local routes. Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025.
Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)
Pass Rate Analysis
Bournemouth's pass rate is 46.9% compared with the national average of 47.3%, a small gap that means pass rates here are close to the national picture. Male candidates pass at 48.8% and female candidates at 45% at Bournemouth, which shows a modest difference in outcomes. Nearby Poole posts a higher pass rate of 54.5% and Salisbury sits at 48.3%, so you might consider a test in Poole if travel is manageable. Data source: DVSA, 2024-2025.
Local Driving Tips
Start lessons on quieter roads out of the village before tackling the A338 into Bournemouth, which carries steady traffic. Practice roundabouts and junctions on Poole Road and the approach to the Bournemouth Airport roundabout, as these come up on local test routes. Watch for tourist season traffic and cyclists on narrow coastal lanes, and time lessons to avoid school-run peaks. Work on hill starts and clutch control if your instructor takes you towards any steeper lanes outside town.
Choosing an Instructor in St Ives
Choose an instructor whose teaching style, transmission, location and availability suit you. We ask suitable instructors for their current lesson terms and show the exact price in the offer before you decide.
Getting Started
Apply for your provisional licence first, then book and pass the theory test before taking tuition on local roads. Arrange regular lessons with one of the seven local instructors and plan at least a few sessions on the A338 into Bournemouth to get used to test routes. When you're ready, book your practical test at Bournemouth or consider Poole if you prefer a different centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last reviewed: February 2026
Guides for St Ives
Intensive Driving Lessons in Weston-super-Mare: Timing Guide
This guide explains how to plan intensive driving lessons in Weston-super-Mare around real instructor availability and local test dates. Learn how Weston, Barry and Cardiff Llanishen test centres compare for distance and pass rates, and how to choose between fully intensive and semi-intensive formats that fit work or study. You will also see why timing your lessons across different times of day and road types in Weston can make a real difference on test day, plus how to use MyInstructorFinder tools to secure an instructor before local slots disappear.
Harrogate Driving Test Centre: Routes, Pass Rates & Prep
The Harrogate driving test centre sits close to the town centre and has a pass rate that is in line with the UK average, so solid preparation really matters. This guide explains Harrogate's test pass rate, how it compares with nearby centres like Knaresborough and Walton, and what typical routes and tricky spots look like on test day. You will also learn how to choose between centres, plan fast local practice, and find a Harrogate driving instructor with availability before you book or move your test date.
Manual Driving Lessons in Hemel Hempstead: Prices & Tips
Manual driving lessons in Hemel Hempstead are in high demand, especially around peak college, work and weekend slots. This guide explains how local test centre wait times in St Albans, Watford and Luton affect availability, what influences lesson prices and how to compare real instructor profiles on MyInstructorFinder. Learn how to choose a manual specialist who covers your preferred test routes, manage waiting lists and decide lesson frequency so you can secure a start date that fits both your budget and schedule.