Driving Lessons in Cardiff
Cardiff offers 21 driving schools and 7 independent driving instructors, with one independent female driving instructor available. Fifteen schools offer automatic driving lessons, and 7 schools have female driving instructors. Prices range from £32.50 to £47.67 per hour, averaging £40. The Barry test centre achieves a 57% pass rate, considerably higher than Cardiff Llanishen's 46.5%, according to 2025-26 DVSA data.
- £40
- average price
- 21
- driving schools
- 6
- 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 lessons in Cardiff
21 driving schools and 6 independent instructors.
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Showing 1–20 of 27 driving schools and independent instructors in Cardiff.
Driving Portal
Manual and automatic
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.
Bumps Drivin
Manual and automatic
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.
Drive Learn Achieve
Automatic
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.
Automatic Driving School Cardiff
Manual and automatic
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.
Navigator Driver Training
Manual
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
Manual
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.
Cardiff Driving School
Manual and automatic
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.
1st for Learning
Manual
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.
Solo School of Motoring
Manual and automatic
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
Manual and automatic
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
Manual
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.
Intensive Driving Courses Cardiff
Manual and automatic
30+ years of experience delivering intensive driving courses across Cardiff and the Valleys, with both male and female instructors available. 12-hour courses from £569 (manual) or £584 (automatic), and 18-hour beginner packages at £776 (manual) or £816 (automatic)—all one-to-one with no car sharing. Rated 'Excellent' on 111 reviews, with learners praising the relaxed, patient teaching style and free theory training included.
Coles Driving Academy
Manual and automatic
£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
Manual
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.
Fran Woods Driving School
Automatic
£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
Manual and automatic
£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.
JW Driver Training
Manual and automatic
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 Steer Driving School
Manual and automatic
1st Steer Driving School backs every lesson with a money-back guarantee and includes free theory training, handouts, and online Driver Active courses as standard. Their teaching breaks complex skills into simple steps, creating a low-stress environment where learners progress faster—with Pass Plus courses also available for post-test development.
Red Dragon Driving School
Manual and automatic
45 years of experience with thousands of satisfied customers across South Wales. Stress-free, patient instruction tailored to your learning style—whether you're a new driver, returning after a break, or pursuing intensive courses. Free support with theory test prep, provisional license applications, and Pass Plus training also available.
Drivepass
Manual and automatic
Drivepass emphasises competitive pricing without hidden charges, offering flexible lesson lengths (1, 1.5, or 2 hours) with block booking discounts available. Every lesson includes a structured briefing, instructor demonstration, hands-on practice, and debriefing, all in fully dual-controlled cars. They also offer Pass Plus courses and residential intensive programmes, with Newport's notably short test waiting times making their courses particularly cost-effective.
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 13 driving schools in Cardiff.
Intensive courses in Cardiff
Want to pass fast?
11 Cardiff schools run intensive courses, compressing months of training into days or weeks.
Cardiff Test Centres and Pass Rates
Learners near Cardiff don't face long waits at any of the four centres. The longest is about 2 months, at Barry, and that's also where the results are best. Barry has a pass rate of 57%, well above Britain's average pass rate of 50%, and an automatic pass rate of 50%, ahead of the national automatic pass rate of 45%. Cardiff itself has the lowest pass rate at 47%, which is only a little under average. Llantrisant has the shortest wait, about 1½ months.
Barry
2,244 tests taken · typical wait 2 monthsLlantrisant
9,909 tests taken · typical wait 1½ monthsNewport (Gwent)
8,227 tests taken · typical wait 1½ monthsCardiff (Llanishen)
16,401 tests taken · typical wait 2 months| Test Centre | Pass rate | Tests | Typical wait | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Manual | Automatic | |||
| Barry | 57.0% | 58.7% | 49.8% | 2,244 | 2 months |
| Llantrisant | 54.0% | 56.6% | 45.0% | 9,909 | 1½ months |
| Newport (Gwent) | 48.9% | 51.4% | 41.6% | 8,227 | 1½ months |
| Cardiff (Llanishen) | 46.5% | 49.4% | 39.2% | 16,401 | 2 months |