Driving Lessons in Barnstaple
Barnstaple's driving instruction comes from 5 schools and 40 independent driving instructors, with lessons priced between £40-£45 per hour. The schools maintain an excellent 4.9-star average rating, and learners can choose from options including female driving instructors (available through both 1 school and 9 independent instructors) and intensive courses. The local Barnstaple test centre shows a solid 54.7% pass rate.
- £40
- prices from
- 5
- driving schools
- 40
- independent instructors
- 1
- test centre
Top driving schools in Barnstaple by what matters most
The standout school for each of the most-asked questions.
Stu Ward Driver Training
Cheapest manual driving school in Barnstaple.
Stu Ward Driver Training
Highest-rated manual driving school in Barnstaple.
Stu Ward Driver Training
Top-rated manual driving school with female instructors in Barnstaple.
Driving schools and instructors in Barnstaple
1st Miles with Giles
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.
Stu Ward Driver Training
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.
Tarka Driver Training
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).
Best Driver Training
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.
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.
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
This single centre handled 3,583 tests between 2024 and 2025, achieving a solid 54.7% pass rate that beats the national average. North Devon's market town setting provides good variety for learners, with narrow high street sections, tourist traffic in summer, and rural approaches that test different skills. Women achieved 53.6% while men reached 55.7%, showing little gender difference. The surrounding countryside roads offer excellent practice for national speed limit driving and overtaking maneuvers, while automatic learners achieved 51.6% - slightly lower than manual, possibly due to the area's hilly terrain.
Barnstaple
3,583 tests taken| Test Centre | Female | Male | Automatic | Overall | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barnstaple | 53.6% | 55.7% | 51.6% | 54.7% | 3,583 |