Driving Lessons in Bishop Auckland
Bishop Auckland's 5 driving schools hold an excellent 4.9-star average rating and charge between £36 and £43 per hour where pricing is available. You'll also find 40 independent driving instructors, including 11 independent female driving instructors. Three schools offer female driving instructors, two provide automatic driving lessons, and one offers intensive courses. Durham test centre shows a 53.2% pass rate compared to Darlington's 47.1%.
- £36
- prices from
- 5
- driving schools
- 40
- independent instructors
- 2
- test centres
Top driving schools in Bishop Auckland by what matters most
The standout school for each of the most-asked questions.
Mirrors Driving School
Cheapest manual driving school in Bishop Auckland.
The Driving Academy
Highest-rated manual driving school in Bishop Auckland.
The Driving Academy
Top-rated for automatic driving lessons in Bishop Auckland.
The Driving Academy
Top-rated manual driving school with female instructors in Bishop Auckland.
Driving lessons in Bishop Auckland
5 driving schools and 40 independent instructors.
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Showing 1–5 of 5 driving schools, plus every independent instructor in Bishop Auckland.
Jack's Driving School
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.
Mirrors Driving School
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.
The Driving Academy
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.
Safe2Go Driving School
Patient instruction for nervous drivers is a standout here, with supportive guidance to build confidence behind the wheel. The school offers learner lessons, refresher courses, assessment lessons, and Pass Plus courses across County Durham, Newton Aycliffe, and Darlington. Contact them directly for current pricing and to book your lessons.
Phil@Stephs Driving School
Judith Addison
Christopher Allan Saunders
Ryan Anthony Miller
Lee Anthony Peacock
Peter Cardwell
Andrew Catmull
Katie Colling
Kenneth David Cunningham
Barry Denton
Iain Donohue
Jackie Edward Braley
Michael Gell
Trevor Ian Maddison
Tom Jackson
Neil James Hopper
Anthony James Moonwells
Philip James Tempest
Dawn Jobling
Stuart John Klinke
Sharon Kehoe
Block booking
Best block deals in Bishop Auckland
Pay for a block of lessons upfront and the hourly rate drops. The best block here saves you £15.
Intensive courses in Bishop Auckland
Want to pass fast?
1 Bishop Auckland schools run intensive courses, compressing months of training into days or weeks.
Bishop Auckland Test Centres and Pass Rates
Durham has a 53.2% pass rate with a 16 week wait, while Darlington offers a much quicker 9 weeks but a lower 47.1% pass rate. The roads around Durham include steep hills leading to and from the city centre, the tight streets around the cathedral and river, and faster routes on the A167 and A690, whereas Darlington has the inner ring road with its large roundabouts. Between 2025 and 2026, 21,634 tests were taken across both centres. Women passed at 52.6% in Durham and 51.3% in Darlington, men at 53.7% and 44.7%. Automatic pass rates were 47.8% in Durham and 40.5% in Darlington.
Durham
9,451 tests taken · 16 week waitDarlington
12,183 tests taken · 9 week wait| Test Centre | Female | Male | Automatic | Overall | Tests | Wait |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Durham | 52.6% | 53.7% | 47.8% | 53.2% | 9,451 | 16 weeks |
| Darlington | 51.3% | 44.7% | 40.5% | 47.1% | 12,183 | 9 weeks |