The Driving Academy
Manual and automatic
Led by Darran Shaw, a 25-year veteran instructor and former chairman of Bishop Auckland Driving Instructors Association, alongside top-graded instructor Andy McDonald. The school uses iPads, dash cams, and interactive theory tools to create engaging lessons, with a 10-hour block at £370 or pay-as-you-go options at £58 for 1.5 hours and £76 for 2-hour sessions. Multiple five-star reviews highlight patient, confidence-building instruction that delivers first-time passes.
Pricing
Listed rates for The Driving Academy. Confirm the latest pricing with the school directly.
Nearest test centres and pass rates
The 3 test centres closest to The Driving Academy. Pass rates are DVSA data (2025 to 2026) for each centre, not this school's own pass rate.
Durham
9,451 tests taken · typical wait 3½ monthsDarlington
12,183 tests taken · typical wait 1½ monthsHartlepool
5,847 tests taken · typical wait 3½ months| Test Centre | Pass rate | Tests | Typical wait | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Manual | Automatic | |||
| Durham | 53.2% | 54.4% | 47.8% | 9,451 | 3½ months |
| Darlington | 47.1% | 49.9% | 40.5% | 12,183 | 1½ months |
| Hartlepool | 51.0% | 52.6% | 45.3% | 5,847 | 3½ months |
Ratings
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