Driving Lessons in North Shields
North Shields has 2 driving schools charging around £40 per hour, with 1 offering female driving instructors for learners seeking this option. The area shares test centres with the wider Tyneside region, where pass rates range from Gateshead's 37.4% to Sunderland and Blyth both around 47%.
- £40
- prices from
- 2
- driving schools
- 4
- test centres
Driving schools and instructors in North Shields
Thumbs Up Driver Training
Kim Gibson's school boasts an excellent first-time pass rate backed by 66 five-star reviews praising her patience, knowledge, and ability to build confidence in nervous learners. Lessons are £40 per hour or £400 for a 10-hour block, with flexible one, one-and-a-half, or two-hour sessions available. Free online theory support and hand-outs are included with all packages.
Block booking
Best block deals in North Shields
Pay for a block of lessons upfront and the hourly rate drops.
North Shields Test Centres and Pass Rates
The three centres around North Shields handled 23,686 tests between 2024 and 2025, with Gateshead proving most difficult at 37.4% compared to Sunderland and Blythe both achieving 47%. Gateshead's challenging Tyne Bridge approaches and steep hills around the town centre create tough driving conditions, while coastal Blythe offers more straightforward suburban routes. Women performed slightly better than men at Blythe (49.7% versus 45.3%), but the gender split was minimal elsewhere. Automatic pass rates remained low across all centres, ranging from just 31% in Gateshead to 38% in Sunderland, reflecting the region's challenging road conditions.
Gosforth
10,234 tests takenBlyth
6,493 tests takenSunderland
9,084 tests takenGateshead
8,109 tests taken| Test Centre | Female | Male | Automatic | Overall | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gosforth | 47.3% | 47.6% | 45.7% | 47.5% | 10,234 |
| Blyth | 49.7% | 45.3% | 35.9% | 47.2% | 6,493 |
| Sunderland | 46.4% | 47.8% | 37.6% | 47.1% | 9,084 |
| Gateshead | 37.6% | 37.2% | 31.0% | 37.4% | 8,109 |