Driving Lessons in County Durham

County Durham has 48 driving schools and 200 independent driving instructors serving the region, with school prices ranging from £20 to £45 per hour (averaging £37). Schools achieve an excellent 4.9-star average rating across the county, and 14 offer automatic driving lessons while 11 have female driving instructors available. Among the independent driving instructors, 48 are female. Pass rates across the region's test centres range from 47.1% at Darlington to 53.2% at Durham, with most centres performing around the 50% mark.

£37
average price
48
driving schools
200
independent instructors
5
test centres

Driving lessons in County Durham

48 driving schools and 200 independent instructors.

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Showing 1–20 of 248 driving schools and independent instructors in County Durham.

Driving With Ellis

Driving With Ellis

Manual

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.

58 Stokesley Rd, Seaton Carew, Hartlepool TS25 1EWView school
Driver Skills North East

Driver Skills North East

Manual and automatic

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.

EveningsWeekendsIntensiveFemale Instructors
19 Hamilton Row, Waterhouses, Durham DH7 9AUView school
The Driving Academy

The Driving Academy

Manual and automatic

5(227)
From £38/hr10hrs for £370Save £10

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.

Female Instructors
49 Beckett Cl, Etherley Dene, Bishop Auckland DL14 0SUView school
Chester le Street Driver Training

Chester le Street Driver Training

Manual

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.

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

Horizon Driving School

Manual and automatic

5(61)
From £45/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.

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

Learn With Jay

Manual

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.

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

Andy's Driver Training

Manual

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.

Intensive
99 Brinkburn Dr, Darlington DL3 0JYView school
PassClub

PassClub

Automatic

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.

Intensive
32 Brackenridge, Shotton Colliery, Durham DH6 2QTView school
U Drive School of Motoring

U Drive School of Motoring

Manual and automatic

5(36)
20hrs for £900

Intensive driving courses ranging from 20 to 40 hours, priced from £900 for 20 hours up to £1,800 for 40 hours. One-to-one instruction with male or female instructors in both manual and automatic cars, designed to help learners pass their test quickly. Block booking deals and gift vouchers available.

IntensiveFemale Instructors
1 Flanders Ct, Birtley, Chester-le-Street DH3 1LDView school
Ian McQuillan Driving School

Ian McQuillan Driving School

Manual

5(33)
From £40/hr40hrs for £1,600

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.

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

Chris Baines Driver Training

Manual

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.

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

Glen's Driving School

Manual

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.

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

Licence To Pass

Manual

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.

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

Medallion Driving School

Manual and automatic

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.

Female Instructors
4 Thorneyburn Cl, Houghton le Spring DH4 5HYView school
Mansfield School of Motoring

Mansfield School of Motoring

Manual

5(5)
From £35/hrBlock bookings available

Independent instructor Peter Nattress focuses on client-centred learning with flexible lesson formats: 2-hour sessions at £70 or 1.5-hour sessions at £52.50, with block booking discounts available (5 x 2-hour for £320 or 6 x 1.5-hour for £288). Member of the ADI National Joint Council, offering quality instruction tailored to individual learner needs.

2 Store Buildings, Trimdon Station TS29 6BWView school
Jack's Driving School

Jack's Driving School

Manual and automatic

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.

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

Stan's School of Motoring

Manual

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.

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

All Stars Driving School

Manual

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.

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

Pass 4 Less

Manual

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.

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

Art of Driving

Manual

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.

6 Fairville Rd, Stockton-on-Tees TS19 7NAView school
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
Under £35
3
£35–40
15
£40–45
11

Based on prices from 29 driving schools in County Durham.

Intensive courses in County Durham

Want to pass fast?

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

County Durham Test Centres and Pass Rates

County Durham's five centres are all fairly close to the national figure of 50%. Durham does best at 53% and has the top automatic pass rate nearby at 48%, with Sunderland next at 51%. Darlington has the lowest pass rate at 47%, which is still not far off average, and it also has the shortest typical wait, about 1½ months. Middlesbrough, on 48%, has the longest at about 3½ months. With little to choose between them, the centre near where you learn is a fine choice.

53%

Durham

9,451 tests taken · typical wait 3½ months
Manual pass rate54.4%
Automatic pass rate47.8%
51%

Sunderland

10,436 tests taken · typical wait 2 months
Manual pass rate53.6%
Automatic pass rate42.7%
51%

Hartlepool

5,847 tests taken · typical wait 3½ months
Manual pass rate52.6%
Automatic pass rate45.3%
48%

Middlesbrough

8,854 tests taken · typical wait 3½ months
Manual pass rate48.5%
Automatic pass rate43.6%
47%

Darlington

12,183 tests taken · typical wait 1½ months
Manual pass rate49.9%
Automatic pass rate40.5%

Areas in County Durham