• The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) recommends an average of about 45 to 47 hours of professional instruction, combined with around 20 to 22 hours of private practice, to reach test standard. [1, 2, 3]

Typical Averages

• Complete beginners: Usually need 40 to 50+ hours of professional lessons if they do not have private practice outside of lessons.

• Learners with some experience: Often need 20 to 30 hours.

• Progress tracking: You can monitor your development across 27 core driving skills using the official Ready to Pass Progress Tracker until you can drive independently. [1, 2, 3]

• The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) recommends an average of about 45 to 47 hours of professional instruction, combined with around 20 to 22 hours of private practice, to reach test standard. [1, 2, 3]

Typical Averages

• Complete beginners: Usually need 40 to 50+ hours of professional lessons if they do not have private practice outside of lessons.

• Learners with some experience: Often need 20 to 30 hours.

• Progress tracking: You can monitor your development across 27 core driving skills using the official Ready to Pass Progress Tracker until you can drive independently. [1, 2, 3]

Taking driving lessons

Anyone you pay to teach you to drive must be either:

• a qualified and approved driving instructor (ADI)

• a trainee driving instructor

You can find your nearest driving instructors.

There are different rules in Northern Ireland for choosing an instructor.

Instructors set their own prices for driving lessons - there’s no minimum or maximum cost.

Check your instructor’s badge

Instructors have to display a badge in their windscreen to prove they’re registered with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). They display:

• a green badge if they’re a qualified driving instructor

• a pink badge if they’re a trainee

You can report someone to DVSA if they charge for driving lessons and are not a qualified driving instructor or trainee.

Driving lessons

There’s no minimum number of lessons you must have or hours you must practise driving.

How many lessons you need will depend on how quickly you learn. You can download a form to record your progress with your instructor.