Driving Lessons in Sunderland

Sunderland's 18 driving schools offer competitive pricing from £30 to £41 per hour alongside 40 independent driving instructors, creating plenty of choice for learners. Quality is consistently high with a 4.8-star average rating, while 5 schools offer female driving instructors and there are 8 independent female driving instructors. Seven schools provide automatic driving lessons and 4 offer intensive courses, though the local test centre has a 47.1% pass rate compared to Gateshead's more challenging 37.4%.

£37
average price
18
driving schools
40
independent instructors
2
test centres

Driving schools and instructors in Sunderland

Showing 118 of 18
Teendrive

Teendrive

5(695)
From £38/hr10hrs for £360Save £20

Over 600 five-star Google reviews back this long-standing school's impressive pass rate and effective lesson structures. Lessons start from £38/hour with block deals at £185 for 5 hours or £360 for 10 hours, plus fast pass intensive courses available. Hand-picked instructors focus on building confident drivers across all experience levels.

ManualAutomaticIntensive
4 Polperro Cl, Sunderland SR2 0YNView school
Chris Elwick Driver Training

Chris Elwick Driver Training

5(110)
From £41/hr10hrs for £400Save £10

Officially rated the Best Driving School in Sunderland for 2024 and 2025, with over 350 five-star reviews. Standard 2-hour lessons at £41/hour or £400 for a 10-hour block, plus a £160 beginner's course for those with no previous experience. Flexible availability from 7am to 8pm, seven days a week, with theory and practical test bookings handled in-house.

ManualEveningsWeekendsFemale Instructors
Scholars Road, Cricketers Hill, Sunderland SR5 2FEView school
Sunderland Driving

Sunderland Driving

5(25)
From £37/hr10hrs for £360Save £10

Calm, friendly instructors with local knowledge of test routes and tricky spots across the region. Single lessons from £37/hour, or save with a 10-hour block at £360 or 20-hour block at £700. Beginners get a special offer: 3 hours for £99 if you have no previous driving experience.

Manual
Handley Wy, Ryhope, Sunderland SR2 0SZView school
Chris Chambers School of Motoring

Chris Chambers School of Motoring

5(8)
From £38/hr10hrs for £380

Two-hour lessons as standard, with no premium for evening or weekend availability. £380 for a 10-hour block (5 x 2-hour sessions) on a Wednesday-Friday schedule, with savings on subsequent bookings. Customer reviews highlight patient, vigilant instruction focused on genuine progress rather than extending lesson counts, plus Pass Plus courses and test preparation packages available.

ManualEveningsWeekends
17 Cumberland Rd, Sunderland SR3 1JZView school
Doxford Driving School

Doxford Driving School

5(5)
From £40/hr10hrs for £380Save £20

5.0-star rated school with 41+ reviews praising instructors for building confidence in nervous learners and first-time test passes. £40/hour for single lessons, or £380 for a 10-hour block and £760 for 20 hours; 90-minute and 2-hour options also available. Pass Plus courses at £250 for 6+ hours.

ManualAutomaticFemale Instructors
12 Berryfield Cl, Sunderland SR3 2XUView school
Alexandra Driving Academy

Alexandra Driving Academy

5(4)
From £40/hr6hrs for £240

Founded by Alexandra Cunha, a nutritionist and 2021 American Pool 9-ball European Champion with 15 years' driving instruction experience and a master's degree in Educational Sciences. Lessons in English, Spanish, and Portuguese at £40/hour, with block deals from £240 for 6 hours up to £1,440 for 36 hours. Both manual and automatic cars available, plus a driver refresher course for those returning to the road.

ManualAutomaticIntensiveFemale Instructors
Speaks Spanish, Portuguese
Caspian Rd, Sunderland SR5 3SEView school
LRD School of Motoring

LRD School of Motoring

5(3)
From £37/hr10hrs for £350Save £20

Patient instructors focused on building confidence in nervous learners through a supportive teaching approach. Lessons are tailored to all experience levels, from complete beginners to those refining existing skills. £37 per hour or £350 for a 10-hour block booking.

Manual
Alnwick Rd, Sunderland SR3 3BUView school
Passtime Driving School

Passtime Driving School

5(1)
From £32/hr10hrs for £300Save £20

Will brings 10+ years of instruction experience and a calm, patient approach to every lesson, backed by an outstanding first-time pass rate and consistent 5-star reviews from students. Starter packs begin at £22.50 per hour (4-hour pack for £90), with standard rates at £32/hour or £30/hour for 10+ hour blocks, making this an affordable option for learners in the area.

Manual
1, Sunderland SR3 2NEView school
Robredz IN GEAR Driving School

Robredz IN GEAR Driving School

4.8(24)
From £35/hr10hrs for £350

Known for helping nervous learners regain confidence after bad experiences, with multiple reviews praising patience and thoroughness. £35/hour or £350 for a 10-hour block, with 2-hour lessons at £70 and flexible packages from 5 to 20 hours. Several students report first-time passes and quick progression within weeks.

Manual
143 Durham Rd, Sunderland SR3 4ALView school
YOLO Motoring Academy

YOLO Motoring Academy

4.7(59)
From £37/hr10hrs for £350Save £20

Block booking discounts available with manual lessons from £37/hour or £350 for 10 hours, and automatic lessons from £40/hour. Motorway training, Pass Plus courses, and mock tests on request, with a focus on understanding the 'what, when, and why' behind safe driving decisions.

ManualAutomatic
27 Runnymede, Ryhope Colliery, Sunderland SR2 0BJView school
Fulwell School of Motoring

Fulwell School of Motoring

3.9(7)
From £35/hr10hrs for £370

15+ years trading with over 10,000 driving hours delivered and 5,000+ licenses issued. Lessons start at £35 per hour, with block deals from £190 for 5 hours up to £730 for 20 hours, plus free pick-up and drop-off included. Pass Plus courses available at £300 for advanced driving certification.

ManualEveningsWeekendsFemale Instructors
9 Donnington Cl, Castletown, Sunderland SR5 3DNView school
Clickdriving

Clickdriving

3.8
From £30/hr

Run by Ian and Neil, who between them bring over 60 years of instructor experience and have trained many of the region's driving instructors themselves. They focus on first-time passes through structured assessment, skill development, and mock tests with a different instructor to prepare you thoroughly. Lessons are £30/hour in clean, smoke-free cars, with Pass Plus courses available after you pass.

Manual
31 Bridge St, Sunderland SR1 1TQView school
Elite Drive

Elite Drive

5(158)
Block bookings available

Award-winning school that won the 2025 Global Recognition Award for exceptional driver education, backed by 350+ five-star reviews. Instructor Gareth is praised for his calm, patient approach that helps nervous learners feel confident before their test. Pass Plus courses available at £279, with flexible block bookings and pay-as-you-go options to suit your budget.

ManualAutomaticIntensive
300 Leechmere Rd, Sunderland SR2 9DFView school
A Roarin' Success Driving School

A Roarin' Success Driving School

Block bookings available

Single-instructor school known for some of the highest first-time pass rates in the area, offering a personal touch that larger chains don't provide. Lessons are adapted to your learning style, whether you're nervous or confident, beginner or partly trained. Automatic lessons available with pick-up from home, school, or college.

Automatic
Dwyer Cres, Ryhope Colliery, Sunderland SR2 0HSView school
Only Automatic Driving School

Only Automatic Driving School

Automatic-only lessons using new Toyota Hybrid Mark 4, Renault Clio, and Mercedes A Class vehicles. Seven instructors including female instructor Mandy available Monday to Sunday, 7am–5pm with flexible scheduling. Contact for pricing details.

EveningsWeekendsAutomaticFemale Instructors
73 Ferryboat Ln, Sunderland SR5 3RQView school
Grindon School of Motoring

Grindon School of Motoring

Block bookings available

Established driving school with an excellent first-time pass rate and a focus on patient, one-to-one tuition tailored to individual needs. Intensive courses available from 10 to 40 hours, plus Pass Plus courses, with competitive pricing starting from single hours up to discounted block deals. Gift vouchers available for lessons and related services.

ManualIntensive
50 Goodwood Rd, Grindon, Sunderland SR4 9QAView school
Elliott's School of Motoring

Elliott's School of Motoring

Block bookings available

Former secondary school teacher with 10 years' classroom experience, bringing patience and adaptability to one-to-one tuition. Flexible lesson lengths from 60 to 120 minutes with discounts on block bookings, plus free local pick-up and drop-off. Theory test preparation, Pass Plus courses, and motorway training also available.

Manual
4 Gainsborough Square, Grindon, Sunderland SR4 8HZView school
Pattersons Driving School

Pattersons Driving School

5(111)
Manual
Calshot Rd, Castletown, Sunderland SR5 3FAView school
Price snapshot

How much do driving lessons cost in Sunderland?

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
£30–35
2
£35–40
7
£40–45
3

Based on prices from 12 driving schools in Sunderland.

Intensive courses in Sunderland

Want to pass fast?

4 Sunderland schools run intensive courses, compressing months of training into days or weeks.

Sunderland Test Centres and Pass Rates

These 2 centres split 17,193 tests from 2024 to 2025, with Sunderland significantly outperforming Gateshead at 47.1% versus 37.4% respectively. Sunderland's routes include the challenging city centre bridges and steep hills around the Stadium of Light area, but Gateshead faces even tougher conditions with the notorious Team Valley area and difficult approaches to Newcastle via the A1. Pass rates show little gender difference - women achieved 46.4% in Sunderland and men 47.8%, while Gateshead sees virtual parity around 37%. Automatic pass rates of 37.6% in Sunderland drop to just 31% in Gateshead, reflecting how the area's steep gradients and heavy industrial traffic create particularly demanding conditions for all drivers.

47%

Sunderland

9,084 tests taken
Women46.4%
Men47.8%
Automatic37.6%
37%

Gateshead

8,109 tests taken
Women37.6%
Men37.2%
Automatic31.0%

Nearby areas