Driving Lessons in Barnstaple

You'll find 5 driving schools and 40 independent driving instructors in Barnstaple, with schools averaging an excellent 4.9-star rating. Pricing ranges from £40 to £45 per hour (averaging £43 across 4 schools), and one school offers female driving instructors while there are 9 independent female driving instructors available. The local test centre has a 51.4% pass rate, right at the national average.

£40
prices from
5
driving schools
40
independent instructors
1
test centre

Driving lessons in Barnstaple

5 driving schools and 40 independent instructors.

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Showing 15 of 5 driving schools, plus every independent instructor in Barnstaple.

1st Miles with Giles

1st Miles with Giles

5(1)
From £42/hr10hrs for £400Save £20

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.

ManualIntensive
21 Walton Way, Barnstaple EX32 8AEView school
Stu Ward Driver Training

Stu Ward Driver Training

4.9(320)
From £40/hr10hrs for £390.90Save £9

Husband and wife team, both Gold grade instructors and RoSPA members dedicated to first-time passes. £40/hour or £390.90 for a 10-lesson block, with Pass Plus courses at £255 and motorway lessons available. Patient, structured teaching in a calm environment suited to all ages and learning speeds.

ManualFemale Instructors
Spinney View, Whiddon Ln, Milltown, Barnstaple EX31 4HFView school
Tarka Driver Training

Tarka Driver Training

4.9(27)
From £45/hr10hrs for £420Save £30

Focused on first-time passes with motorway training and Pass Plus courses available. £45/hour or £420 for a 10-hour block, with motorway lessons also at £45/hour (minimum 3 hours).

Manual
27 Sampsons Plantation, Fremington, Barnstaple EX31 3FFView school
Best Driver Training

Best Driver Training

4.6(10)
From £45/hrBlock bookings available

Family-run school with over 30 years' experience and a track record of teaching 10,000+ students, known for supporting nervous drivers and building confidence from the first lesson. Intensive training packages start from £55 per hour, with standard hourly rates from £45 and block discounts available. Off-road practice area at HQ, door-to-door service in the Barnstaple area, and specialist support for learners with physical and mental health needs.

ManualEveningsWeekendsIntensive
1 Enterprise Road, Barnstaple EX31 3YBView school
Simplify Driving School

Simplify Driving School

4.9(21)
Manual
13 Wester-Moor Dr, Roundswell, Barnstaple EX31 3XUView school

Siiri Akram

Female ADI

Rosemarie Anne Teape

Female ADI

Daniel Brewer

David Chapman

David Cook

Garry David Bayliss

Peter David Ewing

Paul David Greatbatch

Matthew D. Robinson

Andrew Gonet

Amy Hazelden

Female ADI

Kevin Hazelden

Christopher Hazelden

Sarah Holden

Female ADI

Neil Howard Goldie

Paul Ian Marquardt

Paul James Gammons

Michael John Hawkins

David John Palastanga

Christopher J. Tanton

Block booking

Best block deals in Barnstaple

Pay for a block of lessons upfront and the hourly rate drops. The best block here saves you £30.

  1. Tarka Driver Training

    £42010 hrs

    £42/hr£45/hr

    Save £30

  2. 1st Miles with Giles

    £40010 hrs

    £40/hr£42/hr

    Save £20

  3. Stu Ward Driver Training

    £390.9010 hrs

    £39.09/hr£40/hr

    Save £9

Intensive courses in Barnstaple

Want to pass fast?

2 Barnstaple schools run intensive courses, compressing months of training into days or weeks.

Barnstaple Test Centres and Pass Rates

Barnstaple's single centre saw 5,562 tests between 2025 and 2026 with a 51.4% pass rate, just above the national average. Women passed at 52.6% and men at 50.5%, while automatic candidates managed 41.8%. Driving here means dealing with the town's one-way system, the busy A361 North Devon Link Road and narrow streets in the older parts of town where parked vehicles squeeze the available space. The wait is about 8 weeks.

51%

Barnstaple

5,562 tests taken · 8 week wait
Women52.6%
Men50.5%
Automatic41.8%

Nearby areas