How much does it cost to learn to drive in the UK?

The main costs of learning to drive in the UK include your provisional licence, driving lessons, test fees, and optional extras like insurance and private practice. Together, these can total between £1,300 and £2,600 on average.

It’s not just a matter of booking a few lessons and turning up to your test. From the moment you apply for your provisional licence to the day you pass, there are multiple points where money leaves your account — and several that most learners underestimate.

The costliest element, unsurprisingly, is professional tuition. With average hourly rates now between £25 and £45, and around 45 hours recommended, that alone could run into four figures. But that’s just the start. You’ll also need to pay for the theory and practical tests, and in most cases, cover the cost of using your instructor’s car on the day of your driving test.

Some learners also choose to take out short-term learner driver insurance — especially if practising in a parent’s or friend’s car. Others invest in revision apps or driving test prep materials. While optional, these extras can still add another £100–£300.

Here’s a snapshot of typical UK learning-to-drive costs in 2024–2025:

Typical Costs of Learning to Drive in the UK

 
These are ballpark figures — not upper limits. If you need extra lessons, retake a test, or live in an area with high hourly rates, your total could be higher. On the flip side, block bookings and intensive courses may reduce your overall spend — but we’ll come to that shortly.

Because most new drivers need around 45 hours of professional tuition — and at £25 to £45 per hour, that alone can total between £1,125 and £2,025.

That’s not a guess — it’s based on DVSA recommendations and learner averages. The majority of first-time drivers don’t pass after 10 or 20 lessons, even if they’re picking things up quickly. There’s more to learning to drive than gear changes and clutch control. You need time to build muscle memory, handle different road types, master manoeuvres, and develop confidence under pressure.

And it’s not just about the paid lessons. The DVSA also recommends an additional 20–22 hours of private practice alongside instructor-led sessions. That means using a friend’s or parent’s car — and often taking out learner driver insurance, topping up with fuel, and finding time that fits around work or school. If you don’t have access to a car outside of lessons, you’ll likely need even more time with your instructor.

Here’s how quickly the costs add up:

Example: Lesson Costs by Hourly Rate

 
Some learners need fewer than 45 hours. Others need more. It depends on how often you practise, how confident you are, and whether you take long gaps between lessons (which often leads to re-learning old skills).

You don’t need learner driver insurance during lessons with a qualified instructor — but you’ll need it if you plan to practise in a friend or family member’s car.

Most people assume insurance is included once you start learning, and in some cases, it is. If you’re driving with a registered instructor in a dual-control car, you’re covered under their policy. But the moment you practise outside of lessons — say in a parent’s car — you’ll need cover of your own.

This is where learner driver insurance comes in. It’s a short-term policy that covers provisional licence holders while they practise in someone else’s vehicle. It doesn’t affect the main driver’s no claims bonus, and it ends the moment you pass your test.

Prices vary, but most learners pay £100 to £300 for short-term cover lasting a few months. Some insurers offer daily or weekly learner policies, which can be more cost-effective if you’re only practising occasionally.

Typical Learner Insurance Costs

 
If you’re taking an intensive driving course and doing all your lessons in a driving school car, you might not need learner insurance at all. But for those spacing out lessons or practising regularly in a family car, it’s almost essential — and well worth budgeting for.