Driving Lessons in Essex

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

Driving schools and instructors in Essex

Showing 81100 of 132
Grays Driving School

Grays Driving School

5

20 years of instruction experience with a team focused on nervous learners, those with learning difficulties, anxiety, and driving phobia. Lessons tailored to your pace, whether you're aiming to pass quickly or prefer a steady approach, with free theory test advice included.

ManualEveningsWeekendsAutomatic
Broxburn Dr, South Ockendon RM15 5QAView school
CADS

CADS

5

Automatic driving lessons coming soon. Check back for pricing, instructor details, and lesson availability in your area.

Automatic
Suite 114, Communications House, 9 St John's St, Colchester CO2 7NNView school
Supreme School of Motoring

Supreme School of Motoring

5
Block bookings available

Family-run school with over 50 years of combined instructor experience, teaching 1,000+ learners annually and boasting one of the highest numbers of five-star Google reviews in the country. Student discounts and block booking deals available, plus PassRight app access for lesson tracking and theory test prep. Theory and hazard perception support included to maximise first-time pass rates.

ManualAutomatic
21 Suffolk Rd, Maldon CM9 6AXView school
PB Driving School

PB Driving School

5
20hrs for £700

Rated 4.9/5 from 210+ reviews, PB Driving School focuses on building confident drivers through patient, structured instruction tailored to your pace. Buy 20 hours for £700 and get 2 hours free, saving £70, with flexible scheduling across mornings, evenings, and weekends. Motorway lessons, Pass Plus courses, and test car rental are also available.

ManualEveningsWeekendsAutomaticTest car available
24 Russell road, Grays RM17 5JXView school
Mother Teresa Driving School

Mother Teresa Driving School

5

Expert driving lessons for teen and adult learners across all skill levels. One-on-one behind-the-wheel instruction combined with defensive driving techniques to build safe, confident drivers. Defensive driving courses also available alongside standard lesson packages.

Manual
Prospect Pl, Grays RM17 6BYView school
Monarch School of Motoring

Monarch School of Motoring

5
Block bookings available

Family-run school with over 30 years of combined experience across three instructors, offering one-to-one manual lessons tailored to beginners and experienced drivers alike. Student discounts and block booking deals available, plus Pass Plus and motorway driving courses to build confidence on the road.

Manual
35 Scythe Way, Colchester, CO3 4SJ, Colchester CO3 4PEView school
Trainee Driving Academy

Trainee Driving Academy

5

Family-owned school with dedicated support for nervous and anxious learners, plus specialist disability driving instruction. Flexible scheduling, competitive pricing, and instructors trained to adapt their teaching style to individual needs; free home visits available to match you with the right instructor and course.

ManualEveningsWeekendsAutomaticIntensive
Unit 34 Kiosk, 5 Harvey Centre Approach, Harlow CM20 1XPView school
Wheels 2 Drive

Wheels 2 Drive

4.9
Block bookings available

Grade A instructor with over 20 years' experience, including previous roles at BSM and AA, now running their own practice with 25-30 students who prefer accelerated learning. Specialises in nervous and anxious drivers, with first-time pass testimonials and block booking discounts available. Intensive courses, Pass Plus training, defensive driving lessons, and refresher courses all on offer.

ManualEveningsWeekendsIntensive
20 Crescent Way, Aveley, South Ockendon RM15 4TJView school
The Driving Therapist

The Driving Therapist

4.9

Instructor with 20 years' experience and specialist qualifications in anxiety management, NLP, and advanced driving (IAM Roadsmart Masters with Distinction). Combines professional instruction with therapeutic support, particularly suited to nervous and anxious learners, those with SEND, and drivers returning after a break. One student passed with zero minors after 10 years of driving phobia and 20+ previous instructors.

ManualFemale Instructors
Stour Lodge, 3 Rectory Rd, Wrabness, Manningtree CO11 2TRView school
Conquer Driving

Conquer Driving

4.9

Manual and automatic driving lessons in Colchester with a 'Learn or it's Free' guarantee — only pay if you're happy with the instruction. Lessons are typically 2 hours long in a clean, air-conditioned car, with experienced instructors offering structured tuition tailored to beginners and experienced drivers alike.

ManualAutomatic
High St, Colchester CO1 1UGView school
APass4U

APass4U

4.7
Block bookings available

Specialist in intensive driving courses with 10 flexible options ranging from 6 to 50 hours, each including your test fee. Nervous beginners can take the 50-hour Full Monty course from £2,262.50, while confident learners with prior experience can opt for shorter packages like the Seaside Special (25 hours, £1,149.50) or Retest Special (6 hours, £326). All courses are 1-to-1 with local instructors who know test routes well, and an assessment lesson (£74) helps you choose the right package before committing.

ManualAutomaticIntensiveFemale Instructors
11 Earls Hall Parade, Southend-on-Sea SS2 6NWView school
Clearways School of Motoring

Clearways School of Motoring

4.7
Block bookings available

Operating for 45 years, Clearways teaches pupils to the highest standard with structured training that delivers higher than average pass rates. Every lesson is a full hour of one-to-one tuition, not shared with other learners, and teaching is tailored to individual pace and learning style. Block bookings are available, alongside motorway lessons, refresher courses, and a 'Confident Drivers' programme designed to tackle test nerves.

ManualAutomaticIntensiveFemale Instructors
41 Wallace Rd, Grays RM17 5AYView school
Manuals Driving School

Manuals Driving School

4.7

Family-run school with 20 years' experience prioritising safety, knowledge, enjoyment and confidence alongside test preparation. Bespoke lessons fit around your lifestyle, with intensive courses available for accelerated learning. Contact them to discuss pricing and book your personalised package.

ManualIntensive
59 Danes Way, Pilgrims Hatch, Brentwood CM15 9JTView school
EXL Driving School

EXL Driving School

4.7

Local instructors across Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Sussex and Kent who know test routes and area-specific challenges inside out. Each instructor manages their own diary for flexible scheduling, including evenings and weekends, so you can arrange lessons directly around your availability. Contact them to discuss pricing and book your first session.

ManualEveningsWeekendsAutomatic
The Road Safety Centre, Harlow CM20 2BXView school
PassCow Driving School

PassCow Driving School

4.6

Consistent one-to-one instruction with the same instructor throughout your course, designed to build relaxation and confidence behind the wheel. Free access to Theory Test Pro app is included, and Pass Plus courses are also available for newly qualified drivers.

ManualAutomatic
1 George Williams Way, Colchester CO1 2JSView school
Jerry Dymond Driving School

Jerry Dymond Driving School

4.6

Patient instructor with over 20 years' experience teaching Roadcraft techniques used by police drivers, improving anticipation and forward planning beyond standard test criteria. Two-hour lessons at £64 are recommended for fastest progress to test standard, with 90-minute options at £48 and test day bookings at £80 for a 2½-hour session including pre-test briefing and debrief.

AutomaticTest car available
Jubilee Ct, Waltham Abbey EN9 3JBView school
Castle Driving School

Castle Driving School

4.4

Founded in 1966 and now run by Grade A instructor Shirley Diaper, Castle combines decades of experience with a family-run approach that keeps learners coming back. Intensive courses range from 3 to 12 days (£492 to £2,067 including test fees), with structured tuition, mock tests, and one-to-one training throughout. Weekly lessons also available with collection service from home, office or college.

ManualIntensiveFemale Instructors
154 Rowhedge Rd, Rowhedge, Colchester CO5 7JPView school
Noels Automatic Driving Lessons

Noels Automatic Driving Lessons

4.2

An independent school with 11 years' experience in Clacton, specialising in automatic lessons taught at a calm, patient pace that suits nervous and confident learners alike. Learn in a modern, air-conditioned Nissan Micra with pick-up from home, work or college, plus theory test preparation and Pass Plus courses available.

Automatic
75 London Rd, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 3SRView school
5Day

5Day

3

Intensive driving courses designed to get learners test-ready in just five days, with 1:1 practical tuition and included theory training. From £1,480 all-in, the package covers theory test fees, free use of the school's car for your first practical test, and free corrective lessons if you don't pass first time. Over 79,000 learners have passed since 2002, with instructors praised for patience and clear explanations across multiple locations.

ManualAutomaticIntensiveFemale InstructorsTest car available
Suite A, Ground Floor, Widford Business Centre, 33 Robjohns Rd, Chelmsford CM1 3AGView school
DRIVE 321 Clacton-On-Sea

DRIVE 321 Clacton-On-Sea

Established in 2018, Drive 321 has grown to over 500 instructors across the UK, with many boasting 30+ years of experience. The school prioritises listening to learners and tailoring teaching strategies to address individual weaknesses, moving away from the old one-size-fits-all approach. Prices vary by location; enter your postcode to see rates for your area.

ManualAutomatic
12 Russell Rd, Clacton-on-Sea CO15 6BEView 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