Driving Lessons in Darlington

Darlington provides solid value with 9 driving schools averaging £38 per hour and maintaining an excellent 4.9-star rating. The schools include 3 offering automatic driving lessons alongside 40 independent driving instructors, of whom 8 are female driving instructors. Local test centre options are reasonably balanced, with Northallerton leading at 58.6% while the main Darlington centre sits at 49.2%.

£35
prices from
9
driving schools
40
independent instructors
1
test centre

Driving schools and instructors in Darlington

Showing 19 of 9
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
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
Davies Driving School

Davies Driving School

4.6(10)
From £40/hr3hrs for £110Save £10

Advanced Driver instructor offering flexible pay-as-you-go lessons at £40/hour, with all sessions delivered as 90-minute blocks (£60 each). The starter package provides 3 hours for £110, and active students get free access to Theory Test Pro plus Pass Plus courses available.

ManualAutomatic
63 Newton Ln, Darlington DL3 9EZView school
MDL Driving School

MDL Driving School

5(11)

MDL Driving School offers both standard lessons and intensive courses with a focus on fast-track test booking to beat waiting lists. Expert instructors guide learners through flexible lesson packages, with the option to handle your test booking as part of the service.

ManualAutomaticIntensive
12 Huntingdon Cl, Darlington DL1 2EFView school
John Nicholson Driving School

John Nicholson Driving School

4.9(100)
10hrs for £379

Structured lessons following the DVSA syllabus, with an initial assessment drive to tailor the most cost-effective course for your level. 90-minute lessons at £65 or 2-hour lessons at £79, with block deals from 10 hours (£379) to 40 hours (£1495). One-to-one tuition adapted to build confidence and prepare you for test day.

ManualIntensiveTest car available
Flat 1, 32A Larchfield St, Darlington DL3 7DHView school
JDS Driving School

JDS Driving School

4.9(46)
Block bookings available

13 years of patient, calm instruction with consistently strong testimonials from students who've passed on their first attempt. Student discounts and block booking deals available, plus automatic lessons now offered. Contact David for current pricing and intensive course options.

AutomaticIntensive
10 Tintagel Ct, Darlington DL3 0ZYView school
Ambition Driving School

Ambition Driving School

Established in 2011, this school is known for patient, calm instruction that works particularly well with nervous learners and those with autism. Jonathan's experience includes remedial lessons and mobility-adapted tuition, with consistently strong testimonials praising his measured approach and first-time pass support. Pass Plus and motorway lessons also available after you've passed your test.

ManualEveningsWeekends
25 Welbeck Ave, Darlington DL1 2DRView school
626 Driver Training

626 Driver Training

5(11)
Manual
Morton Pk Wy, Darlington DL1 4PJView school
MLD Driving School

MLD Driving School

Manual
5 Friars Pardon, Hurworth-on-Tees, Darlington DL2 2EAView school

Block booking

Best block deals in Darlington

Pay for a block of lessons upfront and the hourly rate drops. The best block here saves you £20.

  1. Chris Baines Driver Training

    £33010 hrs

    £33/hr£35/hr

    Save £20

  2. Davies Driving School

    £1103 hrs

    £36.67/hr£40/hr

    Save £10

  3. Andy's Driver Training

    £37010 hrs

    £37/hr£38/hr

    Save £10

  4. John Nicholson Driving School

    £37910 hrs

    £37.90/hr

    Block rate

Intensive courses in Darlington

Want to pass fast?

4 Darlington schools run intensive courses, compressing months of training into days or weeks.

Darlington Test Centres and Pass Rates

Darlington has a single test centre where 6,828 tests were taken from 2024 to 2025, with automatic learners achieving a 43.6% pass rate. The town's mix of busy dual carriageways like the A66 and narrow Victorian terraced streets with tight parking can make for difficult test conditions. Women had a slightly higher success rate at 50.4% compared to 48.4% for men, while the overall pass rate sits at 49.2%, just above the national average.

49%

Darlington

6,828 tests taken
Women50.4%
Men48.4%
Automatic43.6%

Nearby areas