How many driving lessons to take
Not sure how many driving lessons to take? According to research by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA), learners need around 45 hours of professional lessons to pass their driving test. This is just an average figure – it’s important to remember that everyone’s different. If you’re lucky enough to have access to a friend or family member’s car, then having learner insurance and some private practise could be the way to get that magic pass!
Top tip: Take an assessment lesson and find out
When you’re trying to figure out how many driving lessons to take, no one’s better qualified to help you than an experienced driving instructor. Some instructors and driving schools may offer a first assessment lesson at a discounted rate. It’s a great way for you to get to know a new instructor and for them to assess your abilities and tell you how many hours they think you’re going to need to get to test standard.
What affects the number of lessons I’ll need?
Frequency of lessons
How many driving lessons should you take each week? Continuity of driving lessons is really important. The more often you’re behind the wheel the better. Aim for between 2 and 4 hours of private lessons per week. You’re also likely to progress more quickly if you have two-hour lessons each time.
Private practise hours
The government recommends around 22 hours of private practise in addition to your professional lessons. So it’s time to rope in a mate or family member and persuade them to take you out as often as they can for extra practise. They’ll need to be over 21, have a suitable motor, and have held their licence for 3 years or more to be able to help you out.
Our Learner Driver Insurance offers a comprehensive and flexible way to insure drivers who are currently planning on or in the process of learning to drive!
Learning style
Everyone learns differently. Some learn better visually and physically, whilst others learn more quickly with verbal instruction. Whatever your learning style, a good driving instructor will be able to tailor your lessons to suit you
Financial resources
Driving lessons don’t come cheap, so the number of lessons you book is also likely to depend on how many you can afford. A potential way to save money might be to talk to your instructor or driving school about block bookings. And if you’re a student, ask about discounts, some driving schools and instructors offer student rates too.
Your driving instructor
With a good, experienced instructor, you’ll progress week after week. If you don’t have confidence in your instructor, your progress is likely to suffer. It pays to get the right instructor from the get-go. So how do you choose a great instructor?
Check their experience level
All certified driving instructors have to have either a pink or green licence. It should be displayed clearly for you on their car windscreen. If not – forget about it and find a qualified instructor
- Green – means they have passed all 3 DVSA exams and are a fully qualified instructor
- Pink – means they’re a trainee instructor. They’ll have received part of the training, but won’t yet be fully qualified. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean that they have less teaching experience than a green licence holder.
Make sure they give you a progress record
Your instructor should monitor your progress with an individual learning plan, keeping you fully informed of your progress, what you’ve learned so far, and what you still have to learn. You can download and print off your own Driver’s Record for Learner Drivers for free via the government’s DVSA website too.
How many driving lessons before my theory test?
Taking driving lessons can actually help pass your theory test. A few driving lessons can really help you out with the hazard perception part of the theory test, as well as helping you gain practical understanding of road markings, road signs and more.
