How many driving lessons will I need?

How many hours instruction will you need?

In 2006, the DSA (now the DVSA – Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency), published the results of a study that looked at how more than 48,000 new drivers had learned to drive and their experience of driving after they passed their test.

Specifically, the aims of the study were:
  1. to investigate how people learn to drive, including the number of hours of tuition they needed;
  2. to explore new drivers’ experiences and attitudes to driving and
  3. to identify their level of accident involvement over time.

The number of hours of professional tuition that pupils needed, on average, to pass their test are shown below. 

Age Very quick learner Average
17-19 26-29 35-40
20 27-30 37-42
22 28-32 39-45
24 29-34 42-48
26 30-35 44-50
28 31-37 46-54
30 32-39 50-56
32 33-40 52-58
34 34-42 54-62
36 35-43 56-65
38 36-45 58-68
40 37-47 60-70
42 38-50 64-74
44 39-52 66-78
46 40-54 70-82
48 41-55 72-86
50 42-57 76-90
52 43-58 78-93
54 44-59 80-95
56 45-60 82-97
58 46-62 84-102
60 47-68 88-108

Source: DSA, Cohort II: A Study of Learner and New Drivers, Volume 1 – Main Report, 2006

Want to know how many hours you might need?

You might need more than the ‘average’ if:

  • You live in a city or if you live on the outskirts of a city.
  • If you take lessons around 3:30pm or 5pm (more congestion, slower learning).
  • You don’t do a little homework between lessons.
  • You pick up bad habits from friends or relatives.

You’ll learn faster and pass your test more quickly if:

  • You’ve already had some lessons;
  • You take two or three lessons a week;
  • You practice between lessons.

Collingwood Learner Driver Insurance

But most important of all, pick a local instructor with good reviews!