Driving Lessons in Exeter
As a major regional center, Exeter provides excellent choice with 14 driving schools and 40 independent driving instructors available to learners. The driving schools maintain an outstanding 4.9-star rating with lessons priced around £46-£48 per hour, and female driving instructors are available through 5 schools plus 7 independent female driving instructors. Local test centres offer decent success rates, with Newton Abbot achieving 51.9% compared to Exeter's 47.9%.
- £46
- prices from
- 14
- driving schools
- 40
- independent instructors
- 1
- test centre
Top driving schools in Exeter by what matters most
The standout school for each of the most-asked questions.
17 Plus School of Motoring
Cheapest manual driving school in Exeter.
King Driver Training
Highest-rated manual driving school in Exeter.
King Driver Training
Top-rated for automatic driving lessons in Exeter.
King Driver Training
Top-rated manual driving school with female instructors in Exeter.
Driving schools and instructors in Exeter
17 Plus School of Motoring
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.
Alan Beckett Driving Tuition
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.
Drive with Jenna Spicer
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.
King Driver Training
Over 100 five-star Google reviews highlight instructors who are patient, supportive, and skilled at building confidence. King Driver Training offers semi-intensive courses alongside regular lessons, with Pass Plus courses also available, creating flexibility for learners at any pace.
Fox School of Motoring
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.
Neil's Driving Tuition
Patient, one-to-one instruction tailored to anxious or nervous learners, with a focus on building confidence and understanding safe driving principles rather than just passing the test. Neil uses an online app to track your progress, lesson notes, and theory resources between lessons. Manual lessons only, with flexible pacing that respects your individual learning speed.
SIGNAL School of Motoring
A patient, friendly instructor focused on building independent drivers with competitive pricing and high pass rates. Theory support is included to help you succeed both in lessons and on test day.
RWS Driver Training
Rob Stanley brings 20 years of driving experience and a calm, patient teaching style focused on building confidence at your own pace. Mock tests and theory support are included as part of lessons, with free access to the Total Drive app to track progress and payments.
David Underhill Driving Training
£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.
First Drive South West
A team of eight instructors across Exeter, Sidmouth, Torbay, Honiton, and Brixham, with standout credentials including a former 30-year Army Bandmaster (trained in teaching anxious drivers), an ex-Detective with 14 years' police experience, and multiple instructors holding advanced driving diplomas and RoSPA Gold certifications. Supplementary video courses (£4–£10) cover local test routes, roundabouts, and manoeuvres, with an 8-lesson bundle available for £23.
You Can Drive
Operating since 1998, You Can Drive combines Grade A instructors with a stress-free approach that prioritises long-term driving confidence over test-day passes alone. New drivers get their first 2 hours for just £85, with discounts on block bookings, free theory test support, and flexible pick-up and drop-off across the area. One-to-one tuition tailored to your pace, plus choice of lesson lengths from 2 to 4 hours or intensive courses.
Block booking
Best block deals in Exeter
Pay for a block of lessons upfront and the hourly rate drops. The best block here saves you £20.
Intensive courses in Exeter
Want to pass fast?
3 Exeter schools run intensive courses, compressing months of training into days or weeks.
Exeter Test Centres and Pass Rates
The single centre here processed 8,714 tests from 2024 to 2025 with a 47.9% pass rate, just below the national average. Women scored slightly higher at 48.7% versus men at 47.3%, while automatic drivers achieved 42.4%. Exeter's mix of steep hills around the city centre and busy roundabouts on the outskirts creates varied test conditions, with routes often including the challenging Sidwell Street area and approaches to the M5.
Exeter
8,714 tests taken| Test Centre | Female | Male | Automatic | Overall | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exeter | 48.7% | 47.3% | 42.4% | 47.9% | 8,714 |