Driving Lessons in Torquay
Quality instruction in Torquay comes from 6 driving schools averaging 4.8 stars, plus 25 independent driving instructors including 3 who are female driving instructors. Schools charge £42-£44 per hour and offer comprehensive options including automatic lessons (2 schools) and intensive courses (2 schools). Students test at Newton Abbot with a 51.9% pass rate.
- £42
- prices from
- 6
- driving schools
- 25
- independent instructors
- 1
- test centre
Top driving schools in Torquay by what matters most
The standout school for each of the most-asked questions.
Top Gear Driving Academy
Cheapest manual driving school in Torquay.
MSM Marc's School of Motoring
Highest-rated manual driving school in Torquay.
Devon Automatic
Top-rated for automatic driving lessons in Torquay.
Driving schools and instructors in Torquay
Top Gear Driving Academy
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.
Devon Automatic
Specialises in intensive automatic driving courses across Exeter and Newton Abbot, with flexible options ranging from 10 to 50 hours. A 40-hour course costs £1,700, or choose shorter blocks like 10 hours for £440; double lessons are available at £100. Home pick-up and drop-off included on most courses, plus open 7 days a week to fit around busy schedules.
bailys school of motoring
Block booking
Best block deals in Torquay
Pay for a block of lessons upfront and the hourly rate drops. The best block here saves you £60.
Intensive courses in Torquay
Want to pass fast?
2 Torquay schools run intensive courses, compressing months of training into days or weeks.
Torquay Test Centres and Pass Rates
Newton Abbot's 51.9% pass rate sits just above the national average, handling all 6,263 tests for the Torquay area between 2024 and 2025. The Devon centre covers challenging moorland approaches with steep hills and narrow lanes, plus busy tourist routes during summer months. Men achieved 55.1% compared to women's 48.7% - a notable gap that might reflect the demanding hill starts and tight country roads. Automatic drivers managed 46.9%, slightly below the overall rate.
Newton Abbot
6,263 tests taken| Test Centre | Female | Male | Automatic | Overall | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newton Abbot | 48.7% | 55.1% | 46.9% | 51.9% | 6,263 |