Driving Lessons in Cardiff
Cardiff dominates with 27 driving schools and 46 independent driving instructors, offering extensive choice with lessons priced £34-£47.67 per hour. Seventeen schools provide automatic driving lessons, eight offer female driving instructors, and fourteen run intensive courses, though only 4 independent female driving instructors are available. The Barry test centre excels with a 61.8% pass rate, significantly outperforming Cardiff Llanishen's 51.3%.
- £40
- average price
- 27
- driving schools
- 46
- independent instructors
- 4
- test centres
Top driving schools in Cardiff by what matters most
The standout school for each of the most-asked questions.
Freeway School of Motoring
Cheapest manual driving school in Cardiff.
JW Driver Training
Highest-rated manual driving school in Cardiff.
Drive Learn Achieve
Top-rated for automatic driving lessons in Cardiff.
Intensive Driving Courses Cardiff
Top-rated manual driving school with female instructors in Cardiff.
Driving schools and instructors in Cardiff
Drive Learn Achieve
Established in 2007, Drive Learn Achieve has built a 19-year reputation with hundreds of 5-star reviews and a team of carefully vetted instructors. The owner's background in clinical driving assessment at a major Welsh hospital brings specialist expertise in supporting drivers with medical conditions and disabilities. First two-hour lesson £60, then £45/hour or £400 for a 10-hour block.
Roadrunner Driving School
122 five-star reviews across Google and Yell.com from a friendly, experienced instructor who tailors lessons to your ability. £35/hour, £45 for 1.5 hours, or £200 for a 6-hour block, with free pick-up and drop-off from local work, school, or university sites.
Treads Driving School
Flexible intensive driving courses from £35/hour or £320 for 10 hours, with options ranging from 10 to 40 hours depending on your experience level. Courses can be completed in a week or spread over months, and include theory and practical test booking. Pass Plus courses also available at £210.
Navigator Driver Training
Established in 2013, Navigator Driver Training stands out for instructor John Reynolds' exceptional credentials: ROSPA Gold Advanced Driver Trainer, Driving Instructor Trainer, and Blue Lamp Trust Taxi Driver Assessor. The school achieved a 98% first-time pass rate in 2023 with 100% on second attempts. Lessons start from £38/hour, with free theory practice software, digital Highway Code, and Traffic Signs booklet included.
Freeway School of Motoring
Established in 1988, this Cardiff institution has over 30 years of experience teaching relaxed, friendly lessons tailored to individual learners. £34 per hour or £320 for a 10-hour block, with motorway lessons, theory training, hazard perception, and Pass Plus courses also available. Collection and drop-off included.
Driving Portal
Flexible lesson lengths from 1 hour to 2 hours at £45–£80, with 10-hour blocks at £400 for both manual and automatic. Intensive courses range from 3 to 8 days (£720–£1920), plus Pass Plus courses and motorway lessons available.
Cardiff Driving School
Over 30 years of experience with local instructors who know the area well. Flexible course structures starting at £47.67/hour (12-hour automatic block at £572, or 18-hour starter course at £798), designed so you don't need to take time off work. Minimum 2-hour lessons ensure you get the most from each session without overloading.
Solo School of Motoring
10 years' specialist experience with automatic driving lessons in an electric vehicle, offering £80 for 2-hour sessions or £385 for a 10-hour block with £20 off first bookings. Patient, stress-free instruction focused on building confidence at your own pace, with a strict code of conduct ensuring respectful treatment throughout your learning journey.
Whizz Driving School
Known for supporting nervous drivers and the elderly with patient, structured instruction. £40/hour or £390 for a 10-hour block, with test car available for £100. Flexible scheduling six days a week and online progress tracking keep you on track toward passing.
Cardiff School of Motoring
Former London Fire Brigade and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service driver with 16 years of emergency vehicle experience and IAM RoadSmart membership. Standard lessons at £37.50/hour, or £300/month for one 2-hour lesson weekly (plus a free lesson in months with 5 weeks). Intensive courses from £1,125 (30 hours over 5 days) to £1,800 (50 hours over 10 days), with free theory test prep included.
Coles Driving Academy
£38/hour for manual lessons or £43/hour for automatic, with 10-hour block deals at £370 and £410 respectively. Pass Plus courses also available from £212 (6 hours). One-week intensive courses on offer alongside refresher tuition, motorway training, and defensive driving for those who've passed.
Lady Drivers Driving School
Nearly 25 years of experience teaching nervous and confident learners alike in a calm, professional environment. £45/hour or £400 for a 10-hour block (£40/hour), with an introductory discount bringing block bookings down to £390 — no deposit required and priority booking included.
Bumps Drivin
Friendly instructors who prioritise a relaxed, encouraging learning environment—no shouting or criticism, just patient explanation and confidence-building. £37/hour for manual lessons or £36 with a student discount; automatic lessons available at £38.50/hour. Block deals from £170–£700 with further student discounts, plus Pass Plus courses after you pass.
Fran Woods Driving School
£38/hour for automatic driving lessons, £76 for 2 hours, or £350 for a 10-hour block. Eight years' experience with a patient approach to nervous and anxious drivers—recent reviews highlight first-time passes and transformed confidence. Pass Plus courses also available at £210 for 6 hours.
1st Stop School of Motoring
£37.50/hour or £365 for a 10-hour block (students £36.50/hour or £360), plus 20 and 30-hour intensive courses from £750. Family-run for over 22 years with an exceptional pass rate well above the national average, backed by Trustpilot's 'Excellent' rating and glowing reviews praising instructor Jason's calm, patient teaching style. Pass Plus courses also available to boost confidence after passing your test.
Automatic Driving School Cardiff
Operating for over 30 years, this school focuses on intensive courses structured around your schedule—no need to take time off work or use holidays. The 12-hour course costs £560 (automatic) or £545 (manual), while the 18-hour starter course is £780 (automatic) or £740 (manual), with free theory training included. Local instructors know the area well, and students praise the balanced teaching approach that avoids overloading.
Pass R Uss Driving School
Grade 5 instructor with an exceptionally high first-time pass rate, offering one-on-one lessons tailored to your pace and schedule. Intensive courses available during holidays, plus Pass Plus and motorway tuition to build confidence after passing. Block booking discounts available; contact for pricing.
Skids School of Motoring
Grade A instructor with a full electric Golf fitted with dual controls and optional driving aids for learners who need extra support. Established in 2005, this single-instructor school focuses on automatic driving lessons and keeps class sizes small for personalized attention.
JW Driver Training
A multi-service training provider with experienced instructors delivering learner driving lessons alongside HGV, PCV, and specialist courses. Customer reviews highlight first-time passes and patient, patient teaching styles, with Sam and Gareth particularly praised for their approachable methods. Based in South Wales with a rapidly growing team of trainers.
1st for Learning
Over 25 years' experience with modern teaching techniques and early participation in the 2017 driving test trials. £52 for 1.5-hour lessons, or save with block bookings from £257 for 5 lessons up to £999 for 20 lessons. Student and NHS discounts available.
Block booking
Best block deals in Cardiff
Pay for a block of lessons upfront and the hourly rate drops. The best block here saves you £30.
How much do driving lessons cost in Cardiff?
Most learners pay £35–£40 an hour. Under £35 is a good deal, over £45 is at the higher end.
Based on prices from 15 driving schools in Cardiff.
Intensive courses in Cardiff
Want to pass fast?
14 Cardiff schools run intensive courses, compressing months of training into days or weeks.
Cardiff Test Centres and Pass Rates
Barry achieved an impressive 61.8% pass rate, leading the five centres that handled 36,008 tests between 2024 and 2025. Cardiff Llanishen, Llantrisant, and both Newport centres clustered around 51-52%. Barry's Vale of Glamorgan location offers quieter roads away from Cardiff's city centre pressure, while the Newport centres deal with busy dock area traffic and complex roundabout systems. Women slightly outperformed men at most centres, with automatic pass rates ranging from 41.4% to 60.7%, Barry again leading the way.
Barry
1,621 tests takenCardiff (Llanishen)
14,852 tests takenNewport (Gwent)
7,106 tests takenLlantrisant
8,554 tests taken| Test Centre | Female | Male | Automatic | Overall | Tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barry | 62.5% | 61.1% | 60.7% | 61.8% | 1,621 |
| Cardiff (Llanishen) | 50.0% | 52.2% | 44.5% | 51.3% | 14,852 |
| Newport (Gwent) | 51.6% | 50.5% | 45.2% | 51.0% | 7,106 |
| Llantrisant | 52.5% | 49.2% | 41.4% | 50.6% | 8,554 |