11 August 2025
How much do driving lessons cost in the UK?
5 minutes
Learning to drive is a significant milestone - it's also a major investment. From driving lessons to test fees and car insurance, the total cost can quickly add up when learning to drive.
Driving lessons are often the biggest expense when learning to drive — but they’re just one part of the picture.
In this guide, we’ll start by breaking down how much driving lessons cost across the UK in 2025, including regional price differences and how many hours you’re likely to need. Then we’ll look at the full picture: from licence fees and test costs to insurance and buying your first car. Whether you're budgeting for your first lesson or planning the full journey to passing your test, this guide will help you understand what to expect — and how to save money along the way.
Please note: All cost estimates in this guide are based on publicly available data and average prices as of 2025. Actual costs may vary depending on individual circumstances, location, and provider. These figures are intended for guidance only and may not reflect actual costs.
What's covered:
- How much do driving lessons cost?
- How much does it cost to learn to drive in the UK?
- Buying your first car
- Learner driver insurance
- Total cost of learning to drive: the breakdown
Are you looking for learner driver insurance? Get in touch with us! A member of the Howden team would love to help you find the perfect policy!
How much do driving lessons cost?
The cost of lessons varies depending on where you live and the driving instructor you choose, but on average, a one-hour lesson costs between £25 and £45*. In general, driving lessons are more expensive in major cities, and in London you can expect to pay up to £50 per lesson.
According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), the average learners needs about 45 hours of professional instruction*, which means the total cost of lessons alone can range from £1,125 to £2,025.
How does where you live affect driving lesson prices?
Driving lesson prices can vary widely depending on where you live:
Tip: you can still save money on your lessons through package deals
How many driving lessons do I need?
Most people need around 45 hours of professional instruction and 22 hours of private practice to be ready for the practical driving test. However, the exact number of lessons you’ll need can vary depending on your confidence, learning style, and how often you practise.
To find out more check out our guide here:
How much does it cost to learn to drive in the UK?
Learning to drive involves more than just paying for lessons. Here’s a full breakdown of the learner driver expenses you can expect from start to finish.
Provisional driving licence
Before you can start learning, you’ll need a provisional licence. You can apply online for £34, or by post for £43. Assuming that most young people will apply online, we'll use £34 for our estimates.
To find out more check out our guide here:
Using our median driving lesson cost estimate of £1,575, that brings us to a running total of £1,609.
Driving lessons
As we mentioned, driving lessons in the UK typically cost between £25 and £45 per hour. For budgeting purposes, let’s use the midpoint of £35 per lesson. Based on the DVSA’s recommended 45 hours of professional instruction, that brings the running total to £1,575.
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Theory test
The theory test costs £23 and includes multiple-choice questions and a hazard perception section. Many learners also buy apps or books to help them prepare, which can add another £5–£20 to your budget. To save money, we'll use the Official DVSA Theory Test Kit app, which costs £5.
Running total: £1,637
Practical driving test
The practical test costs £62 on weekdays or £75 for weekend tests. If you’re using your instructor’s car, you’ll likely need to pay an additional £80–£180. This is equivalent to around a 3 hour lesson, plus the instructor's time, fuel costs and insurance.
Let's assume that your test is on a weekday, and you pay £130 for your instructor's car.
This brings our grand total, from getting your provisional licence to passing your test, to £1,829.
But what if you plan to buy your own car and use it for lessons and practice?
Buying your first car
According to the RAC*, whether a used or new vehicle, the average first car in the UK costs between £3,000 to £8,000. That's quite a broad range, so let's assume you're saving money and buy second-hand.
Autotrader's latest stats on used car prices in 2025 reveal that cars aged over a decade have an average retail price of £6,561 - let's go with that.
You’ll also need to budget for road tax and fuel, which we've excluded from the final cost.
If you're unsure about how much road tax you should be paying, check out our guide here: UK car tax changes 2025: what you need to know
Learner driver insurance
Whether you plan to practise in your own car or someone else's, you’ll need learner driver insurance. Many insurers offer flexible, short-term policies covering you up until you pass your test.
The cost of this insurance will depend on the insurer and be calculated based on a number of factors, so it's hard to give an exact figure - but it would be approximately between £100-300, so £200 for our sake.
Total cost of learning to drive: the breakdown
So, assuming you pass your theory and practical tests first time (using your own car), and excluding road tax and fuel, our grand total comes to £8,460. Here's the breakdown:
Of course, once you pass your test, you’ll need a full car insurance policy. Premium costs can vary depending on your age, car, location, and driving history.
Also read: Your guide to car insurance for 17 year olds
5 ways save money while learning to drive
If you're reeling from the figure you've just seen, remember it's just an estimation - the actual cost could be less. Prices can vary massively depending on factors like your age, where you live, the car you buy and insurance costs. What's more, there are still a number of ways you can save money while learning to drive.
1. Book lessons in bulk
Many driving schools offer discounts for block booking lessons. This can significantly reduce your hourly rate.
2. Practise between lessons
Use your own car or a family member’s vehicle to practise outside of lessons. Just make sure you have the right insurance and a qualified supervisor in the passenger seat.
3. Consider intensive driving courses
If you want to pass your test quickly, intensive driving courses can be cost-effective. These courses condense your hours of lessons into a short timeframe and may include your practical test fee.
4. Use a black box policy
After you pass, a black box insurance policy can help you save money by rewarding safe driving habits.
5. Avoid retakes
Prepare thoroughly for both the theory test and practical driving test to avoid paying for them more than once. Failing your first time can add £150 or more to your total costs.
Sources:
*NimbleFins - How Much are Driving Lessons in the UK in 2025?