Learning to drive really isn’t cheap.

If you take the average number of lessons (which is around 45 according to the DVSA) that cost the average hourly rate (in this area that's about £35) you’ll spend £1575 on your driving lessons. Add to that the cost of the theory test and the driving test - it’s a big investment.

So it’s important to choose the right driving instructor - one who will turn up on time, not finish lessons early, be patient, reassuring and professional.

If you have to change instructor part way through your course it could make learning to drive even more expensive and time consuming.

The number one way to find the right instructor for you is via recommendations from friends/family. If you can’t do that, you could read some online reviews, on Facebook or Google.

Read some of our reviews and testimonials

It’s worth taking some time over the process. A bit of research will save you money and make the whole learning to drive experience much more enjoyable.

Having the ‘right’ instructor from the start also means you’ll be more likely to pass your test first time, saving you even more money and time!

Don't waste time looking for the cheapest driving lessons you can find. There is usually a reason why some driving schools charge very low prices. You will get what you pay for and opting for very cheap driving lessons almost certainly will mean you spend more in the long run.

Why cheap driving lessons may not be good value for money.

Once you've found a driving instructor, (or driving school), ask for a trial lesson. You're going to be sat next to your driving instructor for maybe thirty or forty hours, (or longer), often in new and challenging situations. You need to make sure that you're going to get on with him or her before you commit to a course of lessons. Any good driving instructor will happily agree to your request. If they don't, find another one.

Assuming your first lesson goes well and you're happy with your choice of instructor you need to think about how long you want your lessons to be. This is where you can definitely save some money!

Short lessons may cost you less in the short term but they will cost you more in the end. The reason is simple. Learning the skills involved in driving a car takes a lot of repetition, especially in the early stages. If you have one hour lessons you're not going to get a lot of practice. If you have ninety minute lessons you'll learn a lot faster, retain more in-between lessons and ultimately spend less getting your driving licence. If you have even longer lessons the benefits will be even greater.

You should also ask about bulk booking discounts or discounts for students. Some instructors also offer discounts for certain professions such as NHS staff. It's worth asking.

Make sure you get free theory test training too. The Broughton School of Motoring offers a free (and very good) theory test revision tool via the Total Drive app that we use to record our customers' progress.

Once you've started having driving lessons it's important to stick to a regular weekly schedule. If you miss weeks, you'll forget things and take longer - and spend more - getting your driving licence.

So if your instructor turns out to be unreliable and cancels your lessons regularly, it's time to find another one.

You should also look for another driving instructor if you feel that you're not learning new skills, you feel like you're not progressing or you're not getting the full lesson length that you're paid for. If you pay for a ninety minute lesson you should get the full ninety minutes. If your instructor turns up late or finishes lessons early, find another one, fast.

If you follow the advice above you'll enjoy your driving lessons, pass your driving test quickly and save money.

Good luck!