Driving Lessons in Devon
Devon offers 67 driving schools and 242 independent driving instructors spread across the county, giving learners extensive choice whether they're in coastal towns or rural areas. Schools charge between £30 and £50 per hour, with strong representation of both automatic options (24 schools) and intensive courses (26 schools). Female driving instructors are available at 20 schools, plus there are 54 independent female driving instructors working throughout the region. Pass rates at the three main test centres vary notably, from 40.7% at Plymouth to 53.8% at Newton Abbot.
- £43
- average price
- 67
- driving schools
- 242
- independent instructors
- 3
- test centres
Top driving schools in Devon by what matters most
The standout school for each of the most-asked questions.
Martin Regan
Cheapest manual driving school in Devon.
Stu Ward Driver Training
Highest-rated manual driving school in Devon.
Cowley's School of Motoring
Top-rated for automatic driving lessons in Devon.
Stu Ward Driver Training
Top-rated manual driving school with female instructors in Devon.
Driving lessons in Devon
67 driving schools and 242 independent instructors.
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Showing 1–20 of 309 driving schools and independent instructors in Devon.
Diamond Drive Devon
Manual and automatic
Grade A instructor with 25 years' experience and rare Diamond Advanced qualification, plus Institute of Advanced Motorists credentials earned at 19. Manual lessons from £45/hour or £430 for 10 hours; automatic from £50/hour or £470 for 10 hours. Includes structured progress tracking, detailed monthly reports, and free TheoryTest Pro app access, with training extending beyond local areas to motorways, multi-storey car parks, and town centre driving.
Natalee Smith
Manual
Fox School of Motoring
Manual
Over 20,000 hours taught with an excellent pass rate, this multi-instructor school combines experience with a calm, client-centred approach. Intensive courses range from £485 for a 10-hour refresher to £2,200 for a 40-hour beginner package, all tailored to individual needs and completed within 1-2 weeks. Collection and drop-off at convenient locations included.
Easy Pass Driving
Manual
AA-rated instructor offering flexible lesson packages from £50/hour up to intensive 30-hour courses completed over 5 consecutive days at £1250. Block deals provide strong value, with 10 hours at £440, 20 hours at £860, and 40 hours at £1600, all customisable to fit around your schedule with lessons ranging from 2 to 6 hours per day.
17 Plus School of Motoring
Manual
Over 65% first-time pass rate across more than 3,000 students since 1999, with 9 qualified instructors and structured lessons that balance progress with enjoyment. Student pricing at £46/hour or £450 for a 10-hour block, plus Pass Plus courses at £300 for 6 hours. Mock practical tests with another instructor and motorway lessons help ensure you're fully prepared for test day.
Let's Pass Driving School
Manual
Grade A instructor offering calm, one-to-one tuition for nervous drivers and learners of all abilities. At £43/hour or £430 for a 10-hour block, lessons include theory and hazard perception prep, plus Pass Plus courses for newly qualified drivers.
David Underhill Driving Training
Manual and automatic
£77.50 for a 1.5-hour lesson, or £450 for a 9-hour block booking. Both male and female instructors available for provisional and full licence holders, with Pass Plus courses also on offer.
Easy Drive Automatic Tuition
Automatic
Gold Award winner in the Southwest (2024) and ranked in the top 100 driving schools in England. Instructor Paul Kellow was highly commended in 2021 and specialises in nervous learners, offering a patient, relaxed approach with one-to-one tuition. Lessons at £50/hour or £480 for a 10-hour block, with mock tests and theory advice included.
Alan Beckett Driving Tuition
Manual
Patient instructor with a track record of helping nervous and anxious learners build confidence, including those returning after failed attempts or years away from driving. £48/hour or £460 for a 10-hour block, plus motorway lessons at £115. Structured lessons with detailed progress notes prepared in advance, theory test support, and practical test preparation included.
Kingsley's School of Motoring
Manual and automatic
Start with a no-obligation 1.5-hour assessment lesson to find an instructor suited to your needs. Automatic lessons from £39/hour, or grab a starter deal: first 5 hours for £190 (Torbay/Teignbridge) or £195 (Exeter), both including assessment. Block bookings and intensive courses also available.
Vaughan's School of Motoring
Manual
Jon brings 20 years of driving experience and several advanced driving qualifications to every lesson, teaching in a calm and patient style focused on building safe, responsible drivers rather than just test passes. Lessons are £45/hour or £430 for a 10-hour block, with flexible scheduling to fit around work and study. Free unlimited access to Theory Test Pro is included, and you'll learn in a comfortable Ford Fiesta ST Line with dual controls.
Colin Friend Driving School
Automatic
Automatic driving lessons in a dual-control vehicle with flexible scheduling to suit your pace. £40/hour, £60 for 90 minutes, or £380 for a 10-hour block; semi-intensive courses at £1,250 for 30 hours include test day preparation. Welcoming to nervous beginners and experienced learners alike.
Drive with Jenna Spicer
Manual
10 years in the driving industry with a teaching philosophy focused on safe decision-making and building confidence at your own pace, not rushing through tests. £47/hour, £70 for 1.5 hours, or £94 for 2 hours; block deals available at £680 for 10 x 1.5-hour lessons or £900 for 10 x 2-hour lessons. Multiple five-star reviews highlight her calm approach and ability to help nervous learners develop independent, safe driving skills.
Top Gear Driving Academy
Manual and automatic
Specialist support for neurodivergent and nervous learners, with one instructor offering dedicated tuition in an electric automatic car and a strong track record adapting lessons for SEN pupils. Grade A and RoSPA Gold qualified instructors across the team deliver lessons from £42/hour, with 10-hour blocks at £420 (Torbay and Newton Abbot) or £500 (Exeter). Learner progression cards track your development throughout your course.
Bay School of Motoring
Manual
Block of 10 lessons at £38 per hour, or £40 per hour for single bookings. Door-to-door service across Torbay and South Hams with instructors who know all local test routes, aiming to help students pass first time. Pass Plus courses also available for new drivers seeking insurance discounts.
Pass n Drive
Manual
Intensive courses with a pass rate almost double the national average, delivered by full-time specialist instructors. £40/hour for standard lessons or £370 for 10 hours; intensive courses from £425 (10 hours including test fee) to £1,545 (40 hours including test fee). Free theory training and test booking support included.
1st Miles with Giles
Manual
Qualified since 2004 with ROSPA gold advanced driver status, Giles delivers relaxed one-to-one tuition tailored to each learner's needs. Hourly lessons from £42, or save with a 10-hour block at £400; 2-hour sessions are recommended as the most productive format. Pass Plus courses also available at £340.
Highway Driver Training
Manual
20 years' experience with one of the highest first-time pass rates in the Southwest. £35/hour for standard lessons or £50 for 1.5-hour sessions; a 6-hour block (four 1.5-hour lessons) costs £180. One-to-one tuition with flexible pick-up and drop-off, plus motorway lessons, mock tests, and Pass Plus courses also available.
Block booking
Best block deals in Devon
Pay for a block of lessons upfront and the hourly rate drops. The best block here saves you £30.
How much do driving lessons cost in Devon?
Most learners pay £45–£50 an hour. Under £45 is a good deal, over £55 is at the higher end.
Based on prices from 36 driving schools in Devon.
Intensive courses in Devon
Want to pass fast?
26 Devon schools run intensive courses, compressing months of training into days or weeks.
Devon Test Centres and Pass Rates
Devon's three centres vary a lot. Newton Abbot does best, with a pass rate of 54% against the 50% national average, but it also has the longest wait at about 3½ months, while Exeter has the shortest at about 1½ months. Plymouth is the weak one: at 41%, it ranks in the bottom 10% of centres nationally.
Newton Abbot
6,591 tests taken · typical wait 3½ monthsExeter
8,679 tests taken · typical wait 1½ monthsPlymouth
11,167 tests taken · typical wait 1½ months| Test Centre | Pass rate | Tests | Typical wait | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Manual | Automatic | |||
| Newton Abbot | 53.8% | 55.3% | 46.9% | 6,591 | 3½ months |
| Exeter | 46.8% | 48.7% | 38.5% | 8,679 | 1½ months |
| Plymouth | 40.7% | 42.4% | 34.5% | 11,167 | 1½ months |