Driving Lessons in Essex

£37
average price
132
driving schools
339
independent instructors
6
test centres

Driving schools and instructors in Essex

Showing 6180 of 132
Easy 2 Pass

Easy 2 Pass

1
From £35/hr10hrs for £330Save £20

Established for over 15 years with instructors boasting up to 20 years' experience. £35/hour for manual lessons or £330 for a 10-hour block, with larger blocks available at £485 (15 hours) and £630 (20 hours). Refresher lessons, motorway tuition, and Pass Plus courses also on offer.

ManualAutomaticFemale Instructors
Southend-on-Sea SS1 1TJView school
Smartway Driving School

Smartway Driving School

From £37/hr10hrs for £720

Smartway Driving School offers 2-hour lessons at £74 or £37 per hour, with block deals starting at £370 for five 2-hour sessions. Test car hire is available for £100 (local test centres), including a pre-test lesson and post-test debrief, making it straightforward to prepare for your practical exam.

ManualAutomaticIntensiveTest car available
Southend-on-Sea SS2 6NFView school
Thurrock Driving School

Thurrock Driving School

From £40/hr

£40 per hour with no current block deals due to waiting lists. Mock tests with an independent instructor help you practice the full practical test scenario, and theory tuition is available alongside your lessons. Door-to-door lessons tailored to your learning ability, with flexible lengths typically between 1.5 and 2 hours.

ManualEveningsWeekendsAutomaticIntensiveFemale Instructors
Foyle Drive, South Ockendon RM15 5HEView school
Joe's Driving School

Joe's Driving School

From £40/hr10hrs for £350Save £50

Grade A instructor specialising in nervous and anxious learners, with a teaching style built on patience and calm reassurance. £40/hour for standard lessons, or £350 for a 10-hour block; intensive courses from £680 for 16 hours. Test car hire available at any test centre with instructor support included.

ManualEveningsWeekendsIntensiveTest car available
Clears Rd, Smythe's Green, Colchester CO5 9XTView school
Drive in UK

Drive in UK

From £40/hr10hrs for £400

Julia has built a strong track record of first-time passers since 2014, drawing on her background working with vulnerable people to create a patient, relaxed learning environment tailored to each student's needs. Two-hour automatic lessons cost £80, with a 10-hour block at £400, plus Pass Plus courses available at £240. Fluent in Russian for learners who prefer instruction in that language.

AutomaticIntensiveFemale InstructorsTest car available
Speaks Russian
London Rd, Colchester CO3 0NRView school
Peter Tedder School of Motoring

Peter Tedder School of Motoring

5(4)
Block bookings available

One of the longest-serving instructors in the area since 1999, Peter Tedder teaches in a relaxed, modern style with a focus on nervous pupils and excellent pass rates. Block bookings of 10 hours come with discounts, and lessons take place in a modern Mini Cooper. Pass Plus courses and refresher training are also available.

ManualIntensive
Conifers, Harwich CO12 5NEView school
CM Driving School

CM Driving School

5(3)

All instructors have achieved advanced instructor status with experience spanning from 2001 onwards, offering a philosophy that extends beyond test passing to lifetime driving skills. Free access to psychological tools including hypnotherapy tracks helps learners manage confidence and test nerves, while Pass Plus courses and motorway tuition build safer driving habits after passing. Theory tuition, refresher courses, and an electric car option complement standard lessons tailored to individual needs.

ManualAutomaticFemale Instructors
24 Van Diemans Rd, Chelmsford CM2 9QQView school
Automatic Driver School

Automatic Driver School

5

Specialises in nervous and anxious drivers, plus those retaking after a failed test, with Motability experience. Offers automatic driving lessons for complete beginners through to advanced training including Pass Plus and motorway courses. Contact for pricing and lesson availability.

AutomaticFemale Instructors
Delaware Cres, Southend-on-Sea SS3 9PLView school
Abu's Driving School

Abu's Driving School

5
Block bookings available

High first-time pass rate with an experienced instructor specialising in manual lessons, aiming to get learners through their test in 6-8 weeks. Multi-language support and flexible class times available, with test booking assistance offered.

ManualEveningsWeekends
0 Osea Way, Springfield, Chelmsford CM1 6JTView school
Lawrence's School of Motoring

Lawrence's School of Motoring

5

Lawrence's School of Motoring serves Colchester, Clacton, and Ipswich with lessons available seven days a week, year-round. The school emphasizes individually tailored instruction focused on safe driving habits and building confident, responsible drivers. For specific pricing and package details, contact the school directly.

ManualEveningsWeekends
Acland Court, Colchester CO3 3RTView school
DSA Driving School

DSA Driving School

5
Block bookings available

Founded by Richie in 2003, this independent school has spent over two decades building a reputation across East London and surrounding areas. Intensive courses range from 6 to 40 hours, priced from £690 to £2,580, with free theory tuition included for all students. Instructors bring 15+ years of experience and offer flexible payment options including instalments.

ManualAutomaticIntensive
1 Roman Way, Waltham Abbey EN9 3YZView school
Tendring School of Motoring

Tendring School of Motoring

5

Family-run school with 20 years' experience offering one-to-one tuition in modern dual-controlled cars with air conditioning. Free theory test practice online or via app, plus Pass Plus courses available.

ManualAutomaticFemale Instructors
145 Thorpe Rd, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 4PSView school
Road Ready Driving School

Road Ready Driving School

5
Block bookings available

Founded on a mission to support nervous drivers and those returning to the road, Road Ready specialises in automatic driving lessons and refresher tuition led by Steph, whose calm, patient approach has helped dozens of learners pass first time. The school offers a full range of services including intensive courses, motorway lessons, and Pass Plus training, with flexible scheduling and a 10-hour block booking option available. Many students highlight the female-friendly, supportive environment and deep local knowledge of test routes across Essex, Hertfordshire, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire.

ManualEveningsWeekendsAutomaticIntensiveFemale Instructors
Spinning Wheel Mead, Harlow CM18 7AAView school
Hambling Driving School

Hambling Driving School

5

No specific pricing, credentials, or lesson details are available on this website. Contact them directly to discuss lesson rates, instructor qualifications, and whether they offer automatic or manual lessons in your area.

Manual
23 Park Side, Basildon SS13 1NLView school
Kosova Driving School

Kosova Driving School

5

Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars across 125+ reviews, Kosova Driving School has built a strong reputation for consistent quality instruction. The school focuses on delivering reliable, professional lessons that keep learners progressing toward test day.

Manual
Francisco Cl, Chafford Hundred, Grays RM16 6YDView school
Kims School of Motoring

Kims School of Motoring

5
10hrs for £675

Operating since 1950, this family-run school combines 70+ years of experience with Level A and B qualified instructors and a strong reputation built on word-of-mouth referrals. Intensive courses range from £650 to £1,770 (10–40 hours), with prices including the practical test fee, test guarantee, and use of their car for your test. Free pick-up available 7 days a week, plus flexible daytime, evening, and weekend scheduling.

ManualEveningsWeekendsAutomaticIntensiveFemale InstructorsTest car available
6 Chase Rd, Brentwood CM14 4LGView school
Pass It Driving Academy

Pass It Driving Academy

5
4hrs for £140

Award-winning school ranked #1 in Colchester for 2023 and 2024, with an overall quality score exceeding 95%. Block bookings start from £140 for 4 hours, while intensive courses begin at £450, and all instructors provide one-to-one calm instruction with dual controls fitted as standard.

ManualAutomaticIntensive
The, 1 George Williams Way, Colchester CO1 2JSView school
Darren Lord ADI - Driving Instructor

Darren Lord ADI - Driving Instructor

5

ADI instructor covering Wickford, Basildon, Billericay, Brentwood and surrounding Essex areas. Fully qualified with Pass Plus registration and Motability instructor credentials, though specific pricing and lesson types aren't detailed on the Facebook page.

Manual
Orlando Dr, Basildon SS13 1TEView school
Lazer School of Motoring

Lazer School of Motoring

5
Block bookings available

Operating for over 30 years, Lazer School of Motoring teaches in BMW 1 Series (manual) and 3 Series Compact (automatic) vehicles, making them one of the first schools in the South East to offer both transmissions in premium cars. An Advanced Instructor with 35+ years' experience leads the team, backed by special rates for students, the unemployed, and nurses, plus discounts on blocks of 10+ lessons. Pass Plus courses are available to help reduce insurance costs after passing your test.

ManualEveningsWeekendsAutomatic
Ingrave Rd, Brentwood CM15 8AYView school
PASSFAN Driving Lessons

PASSFAN Driving Lessons

5
Block bookings available

Instructor Steve combines local expertise in Clacton, Colchester, and Ipswich with a focus on building confidence in nervous and anxious learners, including those with ADHD and autism. Two-hour lessons offer deeper learning and faster progress; block bookings of 10 hours come with discounts. Mock tests simulate real exam conditions to prepare you thoroughly for test day.

ManualEveningsWeekendsAutomaticIntensive
48 Blenheim Rd, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 1DNView school
Price snapshot

How much do driving lessons cost in Essex?

Most learners pay £35–£40 an hour. Under £35 is a good deal, over £45 is at the higher end.

Typical
£38
Most pay
£35–£40
Schools
Under £30
3
£30–35
3
£35–40
40
£40–45
16
£45+
3

Based on prices from 65 driving schools in Essex.

Intensive courses in Essex

Want to pass fast?

55 Essex schools run intensive courses, compressing months of training into days or weeks.

Essex Test Centres and Pass Rates

Hornchurch achieved the highest pass rate at 48.3% while Basildon proved most challenging at 45.6%, with 36,397 tests handled across six centres between 2024 and 2025. Essex's road network combines the M25 orbital approaches with traditional market town centres and new town developments around Basildon. Automatic drivers saw consistent results around 38-45% across all centres, with the county's mix of roundabouts and dual carriageways providing relatively standard conditions. Men outperformed women most significantly at Southend (51.5% vs 44.7%), where the seafront's wider roads and faster A13 approaches seem to favour more confident drivers, while the differences remained smaller at inland centres like Chelmsford and Brentwood.

49%

Tilbury

4,185 tests taken
Women47.9%
Men50.1%
Automatic44.4%
49%

Brentwood (London)

5,485 tests taken
Women48.3%
Men48.6%
Automatic44.3%
48%

Hornchurch (London)

6,310 tests taken
Women47.3%
Men49.1%
Automatic45.5%
48%

Southend-on-Sea

4,797 tests taken
Women44.7%
Men51.5%
Automatic40.3%
46%

Basildon

4,862 tests taken
Women44.4%
Men46.5%
Automatic38.6%
45%

Chelmsford (Hanbury Road)

10,758 tests taken
Women43.2%
Men46.0%
Automatic40.2%

Areas in Essex