Driving Lessons in Derby
Derby stands out for exceptional value, with 28 driving schools offering lessons from as low as £25 per hour (averaging £36) while maintaining an excellent 4.9-star rating. The city provides comprehensive choice with 14 schools offering automatic driving lessons, 9 with female driving instructors, and 15 specializing in intensive courses, plus 40 independent driving instructors including 6 female driving instructors. Burton on Trent test centre leads locally with 54.1% pass rates.
- £36
- average price
- 28
- driving schools
- 40
- independent instructors
- 4
- test centres
Top driving schools in Derby by what matters most
The standout school for each of the most-asked questions.
Let's Drive Derby
Cheapest manual driving school in Derby.
A1 Driving Academy
Highest-rated manual driving school in Derby.
A1 Driving Academy
Top-rated for automatic driving lessons in Derby.
A1 Driving Academy
Top-rated manual driving school with female instructors in Derby.
Driving schools and instructors in Derby
Nationwide Driving School
Nationwide Driving School operates across multiple locations with male and female instructors offering both automatic and manual lessons, backed by hundreds of five-star reviews and an excellent first-time pass rate. The school provides intensive courses alongside standard lessons, with flexible evening and weekend availability. Contact them to discuss pricing and book your lessons online.
WrightStart
Derby's only all-electric automatic driving school with specialist Deaf and BSL support. In-car cameras and an online pupil portal enhance learning, while two-hour lessons help nervous learners and those seeking faster progress gain confidence. Multiple five-star reviews highlight patient instruction and high first-time pass rates.
Cruise Driving School
Derby's leading driving school with 38 five-star Google reviews and a track record of first-attempt passes. Instructors are punctual, patient, and flexible around your schedule, with well-maintained vehicles and competitive pricing across manual, automatic, and fast-track intensive courses.
A-Star Auto & Manual Driving School
100% first-time pass rate across 300+ completed courses, with 20+ years of combined instructor experience. Intensive courses range from 9 hours over 3 days to 50 hours over 13 days, with door-to-door pickup included. Lessons available in English, Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu, seven days a week to fit your schedule.
Derby Driver Training
16 years' experience with an excellent first-time pass rate, run by a single instructor who tailors lessons to each learner's pace and confidence level. Competitive pricing on standard lessons, refresher courses, motorway training, and intensive courses; contact for current rates. Calm, patient approach backed by consistently strong reviews from learners who praise reliability and flexibility with scheduling.
Crash Course Driving School Derby
Specialising in intensive driving courses that get learners test-ready in as little as one week, with test booking included in every package. Courses range from 5 hours (£265 refresher) to 45 hours (£1400 for complete beginners), tailored to your experience level. Flexible scheduling with instructors available days, evenings and weekends, plus Pass Plus courses available.
Block booking
Best block deals in Derby
Pay for a block of lessons upfront and the hourly rate drops. The best block here saves you £80.
How much do driving lessons cost in Derby?
Most learners pay £35–£40 an hour. Under £35 is a good deal, over £45 is at the higher end.
Based on prices from 12 driving schools in Derby.
Intensive courses in Derby
Want to pass fast?
15 Derby schools run intensive courses, compressing months of training into days or weeks.
Derby Test Centres and Pass Rates
Derby's 3 test centres processed 16,578 tests between 2024 and 2025, with Burton on Trent offering the highest pass rate at 54.1%. The Derby area roads include challenging elements like the busy ring road system, residential areas with speed bumps, and tricky parking manoeuvres in older parts of town. Men achieved slightly higher pass rates across all centres, with 55.7% at Burton compared to 51.9% for women. Automatic learners had success rates of 46.5% at Derby Alvaston and 44.8% at Burton on Trent.
Burton on Trent
6,682 tests takenDerby (Alvaston)
9,260 tests takenWatnall
636 tests takenNottingham (Chilwell)
10,561 tests taken| Test Centre | Female | Male | Automatic | Overall | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burton on Trent | 51.9% | 55.7% | 44.8% | 54.1% | 6,682 |
| Derby (Alvaston) | 49.6% | 52.7% | 46.5% | 51.3% | 9,260 |
| Watnall | 49.8% | 49.3% | 40.3% | 49.5% | 636 |
| Nottingham (Chilwell) | 42.9% | 44.7% | 38.7% | 43.9% | 10,561 |