How many driving lessons do I need?

WANT to pass your driving test but don’t know how many lessons to take and how often?

Here’s everything you need to know about the best approaches to learning.

1

How many driving lessons do I need?

There is no minimum requirement of lessons that you must have completed in order to take the test.

How many you need depends on how quickly you learn, but ultimately you just need to be well practiced to pass your practical exam.

RED Driving School CEO Seb Goldin told The Sun it depends on the aptitude of the learner.

He said: “The DVSA published figures a few months ago that say learners complete an average of 44 hours of professional driving lessons and 22 hours of private practice to pass the practical driving test.

“This is broadly in line with our own research, which shows that novice drivers who come to RED with no prior driving experience take an average of 34 hours with a RED instructor to pass their exam.”

A practical explanation of how much tuition costs can be found here.

The person best able to tell you how many lessons you need is your teacher.

They can assess your driving ability and tell you how many driving lessons you need to be ready for the test.

How many driving lessons should I have per week?

This depends on your schedule and when you can schedule them in, and how much practice you need depends on your experience.

“Most driving schools recommend one two-hour lesson per week for four to six months,” says Seb, “though this will of course vary depending on availability and the frequency of driving lessons.

“This time window of four to six months also allows learner drivers to experience a wide range of different driving conditions before their test.

He added: “Of course it’s possible to learn to drive faster, but that’s usually only the case for learner drivers who already have some driving experience or can absorb more intensive lessons.”

How do I find the right driving instructor?

It is important that your teacher is qualified and graded, has a specially adapted and well-maintained car, is properly insured and is responsive to your learning needs.

You could start by asking friends or family for recommendations, or looking for a driving instructor through a reputable driving school.

One way to narrow down your options is to see if they are DVSA approved.

Here you can find lecturers approved by the DVSA and view their grades (if they declare them).

You can also verify teachers who are not listed with their name and ADI number (if any) by contacting DVSA Test Inquiries by email or by phone on 0300 200 1122.