Driving Instructors in Thornaby-on-Tees

Compare top-rated local instructors, read genuine reviews, and book lessons with DVSA approved ADIs. Completely free for learners.

Instructors
7
Avg Price
£38/hr
Nearest Test Centre
Middlesbrough (2.9 mi)
Test Centre Pass Rate
41.5%
DVSA Approved Verified Reviews No Upfront Fees

There are 7 driving instructors in Thornaby-on-Tees. The average price is £38 per hour. The average rating is 4.5 stars from 76 reviews.

7
Instructors
£38/hr
Avg Price
4.5 / 5
76 Reviews
DVSA
Approved ADIs
Welcome to our Thornaby-on-Tees driving instructor directory. Whether you're a complete beginner or looking to brush up on your skills, we can help you find the right instructor.

Our Thornaby-on-Tees 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.
Top Rated Instructors

Best Driving Instructors in Thornaby-on-Tees

Compare verified, top-rated instructors with genuine reviews from real students

Jonathan
8.8 mi

Jonathan

Darlington
5.0
25 reviews
Manual 60 min Evenings + Weekends

Jonathan has over 15 years of experience as a driving instructor, including six years with BSM before he started Ambition Driving School in 2011. He …

Nervous Drivers Refresher Motorway Pass Plus
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JR
2.5 mi

Jim Robinson

Middlesbrough
5.0
16 reviews
Manual & Auto 60 min Evenings + Weekends

Jim Robinson runs Acorn School of Motoring, offering relaxed, structured driving lessons around Middlesbrough and Redcar. He uses a coaching-style ap…

Nervous Drivers Refresher Intensive Motorway +1
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Billy
9.4 mi

Billy

Hartlepool
5.0
4 reviews
Manual & Auto 60 min Evenings + Weekends
Ford Fiesta Ecoboost

Billy has been teaching learner drivers since 2006 and runs Pass with Billy School of Motoring in Hartlepool. He offers both theory and practical tra…

Nervous Drivers Refresher Intensive Motorway +1
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Patrick Lewis
2.8 mi

Patrick Lewis

Middlesbrough
4.7
30 reviews
Manual & Auto 60 min

Patrick Lewis is a fully qualified Government Approved Driving Instructor (ADI) who really cares about road safety. He wants his learners not just to…

Nervous Drivers Refresher Intensive Motorway +1
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Alan Kingston
9.3 mi

Alan Kingston

Hartlepool
3.0
1 review
Manual & Auto 60 min

Alan Kingston is an Approved Driving Instructor with nearly 23 years of experience in driver education. He started out with BSM, then moved to AA Dri…

Refresher Pass Plus
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Graham
2.5 mi

Graham

Middlesbrough
Manual & Auto 60 min Evenings + Weekends

Graham is the main contact for 5 Star Driver Training, a local driving school in Middlesbrough. They cover the nearby areas too, including Stockton, …

Nervous Drivers Refresher Intensive Motorway +1
£38 /hour
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Paul Jeffrey
2.8 mi

Paul Jeffrey

Middlesbrough
Manual & Auto 60 min

Paul Jeffrey is a friendly, experienced driving instructor based in Middlesbrough, and runs Pass with Paul Driving School. He really wants his learne…

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Learning to Drive in Thornaby-on-Tees

Thornaby-on-Tees sits on the south bank of the River Tees in the North East, with quick links into Middlesbrough and Stockton. The town mixes residential streets and busy A66 and A19 corridors, so learners get a range of road types close to home. Local character is practical and no-nonsense, with short drives to the Middlesbrough test centre and regional transport routes.

Nearest Test Centre: Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough is the nearest DVSA test centre, about 2.9 miles from Thornaby-on-Tees, so you can get there in a short drive. Expect a busy centre, with 9,205 tests run per year at Middlesbrough in 2024-2025, so book early. Many journeys use the A66 or Thornaby Road depending on where you start, and parking or drop-off at the centre can be limited at peak times.

41.5%
Overall Pass Rate
44.8%
Male Pass Rate
38.3%
Female Pass Rate
2.9 mi
Distance

Data source: DVSA (2024-2025)

Pass Rate Analysis

Middlesbrough's practical pass rate is 41.5%, below the national average of 47.3% for 2024-2025, which suggests local tests can be tougher than average, Data source: DVSA (2024-2025). Male candidates passed at 44.8% while female candidates passed at 38.3% at Middlesbrough in 2024-2025, Data source: DVSA (2024-2025). Nearby Darlington shows a 46% pass rate and Hartlepool 42%, so your test location can make a difference, Data source: DVSA (2024-2025).

Local Driving Tips

Start lessons on quieter residential streets around Thornaby High Street to build confidence before moving onto the A66 junctions. Practise roundabouts and lane discipline where the A19 meets local roads, as those junctions feature on many local routes. Include some early lessons that cross into central Middlesbrough so you know the route to the test centre. Watch for heavy lorry traffic near industrial estates and the river crossings during peak times. Regular short drives at different times of day will help you handle the town centre and main roads.

Choosing an Instructor in Thornaby-on-Tees

There are seven local instructors in Thornaby-on-Tees, so check availability and how they structure lessons. Expect to pay around £38 per hour on average, and check whether the instructor uses an automatic or manual car. Pick an ADI who knows the A66 and routes into Middlesbrough, and who can offer mock tests on the way to the test centre.

Lesson Costs in Thornaby-on-Tees

Average hourly lessons in the area are about £38. The final cost depends on instructor experience, car type, and whether you book single lessons or blocks.

Getting Started

Apply for your provisional licence and start lessons once you have it. Study and book your theory test while you build practical skills with an instructor. When you and your instructor agree you are ready, book your practical test at Middlesbrough or a nearby centre like Darlington or Hartlepool. Passing the practical gives you the full licence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last reviewed: February 2026

The nearest DVSA test centre is Middlesbrough, about 2.9 miles from Thornaby-on-Tees.
Middlesbrough's pass rate is 41.5%, which is below the national average of 47.3% for 2024-2025, Data source: DVSA (2024-2025).
Yes, at Middlesbrough male candidates passed at 44.8% and female candidates at 38.3% in 2024-2025, Data source: DVSA (2024-2025).
There are seven instructors listed for Thornaby-on-Tees.
Average local lesson prices are about £38 per hour.
Yes, Darlington is about 8.9 miles away with a 46% pass rate, and Hartlepool is around 9.2 miles away with a 42% pass rate, Data source: DVSA (2024-2025).
Learning time varies with your confidence, practice time and lesson frequency.
Middlesbrough ran 9,205 tests in 2024-2025, which indicates steady activity at the centre.
Many instructors will do a mock route to the Middlesbrough centre so you know the roads and parking.
Middlesbrough is closest at 2.9 miles and familiar to Thornaby learners, but Darlington and Hartlepool are alternatives at 8.9 and 9.2 miles respectively.
Driving lesson prices vary by location and instructor, typically ranging from £30 to £45 per hour.
Most learners need between 40 to 50 hours of professional tuition, plus around 20 hours of private practice.
If you pass in an automatic, you can only drive automatic cars.
You can book your practical driving test online through the DVSA website or by calling their booking line.
Look for a fully qualified ADI (Approved Driving Instructor) with good reviews.
Most instructors prefer to use their own dual-controlled vehicles for safety reasons.

Guides for Thornaby-on-Tees

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Learning to drive in London is a different beast to most of the UK. Busy traffic, tricky junctions and long test waits mean you need a clear plan, a good instructor and a realistic budget. This guide breaks down typical lesson prices, London test centres and pass rates, what roads you are likely to practise on, and how to time your theory and practical tests so you are not stuck waiting months. Perfect if you are just starting to look at driving lessons in London.

Guide 12 min read
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Nearby Areas

Stockton-on-Tees (1 mi) Middlesbrough (2 mi) Ingleby Barwick (3 mi) Billingham (3 mi) Eaglescliffe (4 mi) Yarm (5 mi) Stokesley (8 mi) Great Ayton (8 mi)

Also in North East

Acomb Alnmouth Alnwick Amble Annfield Plain Aycliffe Village Bamburgh Barnard Castle

Browse Instructors by Region

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