The Best Driving Schools and Instructors in Devon

Passing your practical driving test is certainly a big milestone in life, with new opportunities and adventures presenting themselves when you have the freedom to go anywhere. However, one challenge all learner-drivers encounter before the test is deciding which driving school to opt for and why.

Different drivers have different needs; you may be looking to pass in an automatic vehicle instead of a manual, you may need an instructor that specialises in a foreign language, or you could feel more comfortable with a female instructor. Whatever your driving needs are, there are plenty of options out there. So you’ll be pleased to hear that we’ve gathered five of the best driving schools and instructors in Devon so you can save time and get behind the wheel as soon as possible!

RED Driving School | Exeter

With 1,500 experienced driving instructors located across the UK, RED Driving School is one of the most popular and well-reviewed driving schools in the country, with an ‘Excellent’ Trustpilot rating after a whopping 7,500 reviews.

Offering an additional two free hours when you book twelve hours of lessons, RED provide a Road Brain Trainer service which statistically increases your chances of passing by 14%. On top of this, their stats suggest that their students need 17 hours less than the national average to pass a driving test.

Voted National Driving School of the Year in 2022, RED also offer support and training for Driving Theory Tests, Automatic Driving Lessons, Foreign Language Driving Lessons, Female-only Instructors, and plenty more to ensure that every student feels well prepared and comfortable during their course.

1^st Gear Driving School | Torquay

If you’re looking for driving lessons in Torquay, then you’ll be pleased to hear that 1^st Gear Driving School has 25 years of experience providing a wide range of driving tuition. Offering standard driving courses, driving lessons for 16-year-olds, intensive courses, one-day courses, male and female instructors, as well as Pass Plus and automatic driving lessons… It’s safe to say that 1^st Gear offer something for everyone.

When it comes to pricing, 1^st Gear offer the first two hours of your standard driving course for just £10 (£5 per hour). After that, a single-hour lesson costs £36, with money to be saved if you book multiple hours. One-day intensive courses cost £248, whilst 30-hour intensive courses cost £1,020.

With over 127 reviews, 1^st Gear have a rating of 4.9/5 on Yell, and the same score on Google Reviews, so there’s no doubt that students leave this driving school feeling very satisfied indeed.

Com'Pass Driving School | Plymouth

With 40 years of experience offering driving lessons in Plymouth, Com’Pass Driving School provide standard driving courses, Pass Plus courses, and Advanced Driving Training for beginner learner-drivers in and around the Ocean City. On top of that, they even offer training and courses for aspiring driving instructors, with the only conditions being that you’re older than 21, and have at least four years of driving experience.

Being a family-run business, Com’Pass offer a team of fully qualified instructors that harness the best skills and experiences to teach students to pass the practical test and drive confidently. When it comes to pricing, standard manual lessons cost £40 per hour and £42 per hour for automatic driving lessons. Money can be saved if you book in blocks, with ten manual hours costing £380, or £410 for automatic. Pass Plus courses cost £240 for six hours, or £230 if you take the exam in your own car. Finally, Advanced Driving lessons cost £40 per hour, or £380 if you book ten hours.

Stu & Mish Ward Driver Training | Barnstaple

Providing driving lessons in Barnstaple, Bideford, and Braunton; Stu & Mish Ward Driver Training offer encouragement and confidence to all their students, giving you the best chance of passing your practical test first time. As an independent school run by husband and wife Stu and Mish Ward, this driving school is smaller than others in Devon, but go the extra distance when it comes to providing a friendly and patient environment when it comes to learning to drive.

Standard driving lessons costs £35 per hour, with money to be saved if you purchase 90-minute lessons (£51) or block bookings, with ten hours costing £340 when paid in advance, Advanced and Refresher driving lessons also cost £35 per hour, with a Pass Plus course costing £255.

Williams Driving School | Newton Abbot

If you’re looking for driving schools in Newton Abbot, then you’ll probably be familiar with Williams Driving School who are well known in the area. With a 4.9/5 average rating on Facebook after 135 reviews, it’s clear that learner drivers leave Williams Driving School feeling satisfied and confident on the roads.

Standard driving lessons start at £57 for 90 minutes, £76 for two hours, or you can save £20 if you book in blocks of ten hours which cost £360. Williams also offer lessons for automatic car drivers, intensive driving courses, trailer training, and driving instructor training for anyone over the age of 21.

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