Driving Lessons in County Durham

£38
average price
47
driving schools
200
independent instructors
5
test centres

Driving lessons in County Durham

47 driving schools and 200 independent instructors.

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Showing 120 of 47 driving schools, plus every independent instructor in County Durham.

Chester le Street Driver Training

Chester le Street Driver Training

5(93)
From £38/hr10hrs for £370Save £10

£38/hour or £370 for a 10-hour block with a £10 saving. Grade A instructor with a background in the Royal Navy and policing, Tony combines safety-conscious teaching with a caring approach that keeps learners calm and confident. 5-star rated by all previous students, he offers a personal touch as a local school where you'll work with the same instructor throughout your course.

Manual
9 Cragside, Chester-le-Street DH2 2TLView school
Horizon Driving School

Horizon Driving School

5(61)
From £50/hr

Nominated for Intelligent Instructor awards in both 2025 and 2026, AJ creates a welcoming, safe learning environment particularly valued by the LGBTQ+ community. Lessons start from £50/hour with free theory training included via app, plus motorway courses available at £90 for 2 hours. Vauxhall Astras kept clean and well-maintained, with flexible scheduling to fit around your availability.

ManualEveningsWeekendsAutomaticFemale Instructors
Whinfield Cl, Stockton-on-Tees TS19 8UAView school
Learn With Jay

Learn With Jay

5(56)
From £40/hr

Patient instructor known for adapting teaching pace to individual confidence levels and building learners into safe, competent drivers. £40/hour for 2-hour lessons, plus a standout offer: free test car use (saving up to £100) when you commit to weekly lessons until test-ready. Reviews highlight his ability to spot mistakes constructively, tackle anxiety, and align teaching with what examiners actually look for.

ManualTest car available
57 David Terrace, Bowburn, Durham DH6 5EFView school
Andy's Driver Training

Andy's Driver Training

5(43)
From £38/hr10hrs for £370Save £10

Calm, patient instructor who emphasises making learners feel at ease during lessons. £38 per hour for pay-as-you-go 2-hour sessions, or £370 for a 10-hour block with flexible lesson lengths depending on location. Intensive and semi-intensive courses available for those with at least 25 hours' experience.

ManualIntensive
99 Brinkburn Dr, Darlington DL3 0JYView school
PassClub

PassClub

5(37)
From £40/hr10hrs for £380Save £20

Operating since 1995 with over 30 years' experience, PassClub offers an impressively high first-time pass rate backed by a Pass Promise guarantee. Lessons start at £40/hour for 90 minutes (£60) or £80 for 2 hours, with a 10-hour block at £380; intensive courses range from £500 (10 hours) to £1500 (40 hours), plus a PassClub Unlimited option at £3000 for unlimited lessons. They're one of the few schools offering electric car lessons, perfect for learners preparing for the shift to fully electric vehicles by 2030.

AutomaticIntensive
32 Brackenridge, Shotton Colliery, Durham DH6 2QTView school
Ian McQuillan Driving School

Ian McQuillan Driving School

5(33)
From £40/hr40hrs for £1600

Grade A instructor with 19 years' experience and a published author with 500+ five-star reviews. Known for nervous pupil expertise and intensive courses, with block deals from £40/hour (single lessons) down to £40/hour across larger packages; a 40-hour block including a free driving test costs £1,600, plus £100 for test car use.

ManualIntensiveTest car available
41 Broom Hall Dr, Ushaw Moor, Durham DH7 7NXView school
Chris Baines Driver Training

Chris Baines Driver Training

5(23)
From £35/hr10hrs for £330Save £20

Military and MOD background with instructor qualification since 2021, delivering safe system driving in a relaxed, professional environment. £35/hour (2-hour minimum) or £330 for 10 hours, with a 20-hour package at £620. Caters to learners at all levels, from new drivers to advanced and motorway training.

Manual
22 Pond View, Darlington DL1 1LDView school
Glen's Driving School

Glen's Driving School

5(16)
From £35/hr

Family-run school emphasizing safe-driving-skills-for-life rather than quick passes, with one-to-one tuition in modern cars. At £35/hour or £70 for preferred 2-hour slots, Glen's focuses on structured training aligned with the DSA's recommended 47 hours of professional tuition. Available 7 days a week for booking and appointment management.

ManualEveningsWeekends
43 Stonethwaite Cl, Hartlepool TS24 8RAView school
Licence To Pass

Licence To Pass

5(12)
From £40/hr20hrs for £740Save £60

Grade A instructor with 17 years' experience, offering lessons in a new Corsa with interactive iPad learning and progress tracking to build confidence lesson by lesson. £40/hour or block deals from £195 for 5 hours up to £740 for 20 hours, plus Pass Plus courses at £250. First lesson is free if you're not satisfied, and nervous learners are particularly welcome.

Manual
15 Chillingham Ct, Stockton-on-Tees, Billingham TS23 3UTView school
Medallion Driving School

Medallion Driving School

5(9)
From £33/hr10hrs for £320Save £10

Known for supporting nervous learner drivers, this family-run school has spent over 23 years building confidence in anxious students through patient, one-to-one tuition. Lessons are 2 hours long at £33/hour for manual or £35/hour for automatic, with 10-hour block deals at £320 (manual) or £340 (automatic). New learners can try the introductory offer: first 4 hours for £110 with no pressure to commit.

ManualAutomaticFemale Instructors
4 Thorneyburn Cl, Houghton le Spring DH4 5HYView school
Driving With Ellis

Driving With Ellis

5(7)
From £40/hr10hrs for £380Save £20

£40/hour or £380 for a 10-hour block, with a money-back guarantee if you don't pass first time. Northeast Driving Instructor of the Year 2024, this school uses reflective logs after every lesson and provides 21 handouts covering 40 subjects, plus access to all latest test routes. The approach focuses on learning opportunities rather than mistakes, with no shouting and personalised progress tracking.

Manual
58 Stokesley Rd, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool TS25 1EWView school
Jack's Driving School

Jack's Driving School

5(4)
From £43/hr10hrs for £415Save £15

Established since 1992 with a high first-time pass rate and both male and female instructors trained in coaching techniques. Automatic lessons at £43/hour or £415 for 10 hours, with a special offer of £185 for first-time drivers taking 5 hours. Refresher lessons, trailer training, and caravan/motorhome courses also available.

ManualAutomaticFemale Instructors
6 Farnham Cl, Bishop Auckland DL14 8YRView school
Stan's School of Motoring

Stan's School of Motoring

5(2)
From £37/hr10hrs for £350Save £20

18 years of teaching experience with a track record of first-time passes, including multiple student testimonials praising patience and confidence-building. Single lessons at £37/hour or a 10-hour package for £350, plus Pass Plus courses available at £250 to help reduce insurance costs.

Manual
7 Winterton Ave, Sedgefield, Stockton-on-Tees TS21 3NJView school
All Stars Driving School

All Stars Driving School

5(1)
From £35/hr

Established in 2006 with a 4.5-star trust score from 100 reviews, All Stars focuses on patient, professional instruction that builds genuine confidence. At £35/hour, lessons are tailored to individual needs with flexible scheduling available Monday to Saturday, and students consistently praise the instructors' understanding and supportive approach.

ManualEveningsWeekends
104 Park Ave, Coxhoe, Durham DH6 4JNView school
Pass 4 Less

Pass 4 Less

5(1)84% pass rate
From £40/hr10hrs for £380Save £20

£40/hour or £380 for a 10-hour block, with Pass Plus courses at £240 for 6 hours. An 84% first-time pass rate reflects their focus on teaching beyond the test itself. Flexible scheduling from 9am–7pm weekdays and Saturday mornings suits learners juggling other commitments.

ManualEveningsWeekends
15 Stonethwaite Cl, Hartlepool TS24 8RAView school
Art of Driving

Art of Driving

5(1)
From £35/hr10hrs for £310Save £40

Grade A instructor with RoSPA advanced driver gold qualification since 2005, consistently achieving the highest standard check grades. Lessons at £35/hour or £310 for a 10-hour block (delivered in 2-hour slots, valid for 8 months), plus gift vouchers available.

Manual
6 Fairville Rd, Stockton-on-Tees TS19 7NAView school
Durham Driving School

Durham Driving School

4.9(58)
From £35/hr10hrs for £350

Experienced instructors with a high pass rate deliver personalised tuition tailored to each learner's needs. £35/hour for 2-hour lessons, or save with block deals starting at £350 for 10 hours. Flexible scheduling around work and college, plus a free app to track progress and manage bookings.

ManualEveningsWeekends
Barley Mow, 56 Northumberland Pl, Birtley, Chester-le-Street DH3 2ARView school
Mirrors Driving School

Mirrors Driving School

4.9(42)
From £36/hr

A unique mother-and-son team with 30 years of advanced motorist experience between them. Karen is Grade A qualified and established the school in 2009, while Dan joined as a fully qualified instructor in 2018. Lessons are £36/hour, with test car hire also available at £36/hour.

ManualFemale InstructorsTest car available
Bishop Auckland DL14 6RUView school
Cunningham Driving School

Cunningham Driving School

4.9(29)
From £36/hr10hrs for £340Save £20

Kenneth Cunningham is an IAM-registered instructor with a client-centred teaching approach that gets the best out of every lesson. At £36/hour or £340 for a 10-hour block, you'll train in a modern Ford Fiesta with satnav, parking sensors, and heated seats. A one-to-one setup with flexible pick-up/drop-off, mock tests, and motorway tuition included.

ManualEveningsWeekendsIntensive
21 Forster Cl, Newton Aycliffe DL5 4XJView school
Driver Skills North East

Driver Skills North East

4.8(80)
From £38/hr10hrs for £370Save £10

Family-run school established 27 years ago with a former RAF Policeman as head instructor and in-house trained team. Standard rates are £38/hour for daytime lessons or £45/hour for evenings and weekends, with block deals from £370 for 10 hours up to £730 for 20 hours. New learners get £110 off their first 5 hours, and all lessons focus on building lifetime safe driving skills rather than just test passing.

ManualEveningsWeekendsAutomaticIntensiveFemale Instructors
19 Hamilton Row, Waterhouses, Durham DH7 9AUView school

Judith Addison

Female ADI

Mark Adrian Wilson

Shamim Ahmed Choudhury

Adam Alexander Cruddace

Christopher Allan Saunders

Robert Andrew Bremner

James Andrew Coates

Garerth Andrew Powell

Pauline Ann Lloyd

Female ADI

Mark Anthony Davidson

Ryan Anthony Miller

Lee Anthony Peacock

Gerard Anthony Trainor

Judith Atkins

Female ADI

Sajid Awan

Lindsay Bailey

Female ADI

Patrick Bailly

Chris Baines

Dayana Bako

Female ADI

Amanda Banks

Female ADI
Price snapshot

How much do driving lessons cost in County Durham?

Most learners pay £35–£40 an hour. Under £35 is a good deal, over £45 is at the higher end.

Typical
£39
Most pay
£35–£40
Schools
£30–35
2
£35–40
12
£40–45
9
£45–50
1

Based on prices from 24 driving schools in County Durham.

Intensive courses in County Durham

Want to pass fast?

15 County Durham schools run intensive courses, compressing months of training into days or weeks.

County Durham Test Centres and Pass Rates

Five centres took 46,771 tests between 2025 and 2026, averaging exactly 50%. Durham tops the list with a 53.2% pass rate, women at 52.6% and men at 53.7%, though you'll wait 16 weeks compared to just 9 weeks at Darlington or Sunderland. Darlington's pass rate is lower at 47.1%, with women unusually ahead at 51.3% compared to men's 44.7%, and automatics at 40.5%. Roads around Darlington include the ring road system and the tight town centre with its clock tower junction, while Middlesbrough sits at 47.7% with a 14 week wait and navigation around the A66 flyover and Transporter Bridge approaches. Hartlepool offers 51% with women and men almost identical at 51.1% and 51%, and Sunderland matches that at 51.1% for both.

53%

Durham

9,451 tests taken · 16 week wait
Women52.6%
Men53.7%
Automatic47.8%
51%

Sunderland

10,436 tests taken · 9 week wait
Women51.1%
Men51.2%
Automatic42.7%
51%

Hartlepool

5,847 tests taken · 13 week wait
Women51.1%
Men51.0%
Automatic45.3%
48%

Middlesbrough

8,854 tests taken · 14 week wait
Women47.0%
Men48.3%
Automatic43.6%
47%

Darlington

12,183 tests taken · 9 week wait
Women51.3%
Men44.7%
Automatic40.5%

Areas in County Durham