How Much Will it Cost To Pass My Test?

Everyone wants an answer to that question.

There are some fixed costs, I can quote the Driving Standard Agency’s (DSA) figures.  Give you, from my own experince what some of the ‘natural’ drivers achieve and some average figures but some people can take much longer.

Firstly the known costs.  Your theory test will cost £31.00 per attempt and most people (80%) pass 1st time if they put in the effort.  Your practical test will cost £62.00 but I will pay for your 1st attempt if you have done at least 31 hours of training with me and includes your test; this is worth up £2.00 per hour rebate/cash back.

The DSA (click here) quote that the average learner requires 45 hours of professional tuition and 22 hours of private practice. 

I have found that natural drivers will pass their test, at the 1st attempt, with about 25-30 hours of training and 30 or more hours of private practice; there is just no substitute for time in the car, gaining experience.

The average learner takes 36-42 hours plus similar private practice and without private practice it will probably be 50-60 hours.  Please note that this includes the time required for a mock test and the test itself, often not included. 

A 2nd attempt will cost another £62.00 fee and a further 4-8 hours including the test.  You may think that is not much extra driving but if you were really ready for your 1st test you should not require much extra training; although it does depend on what went wrong the first time.

Ok, now lets look at what this means using the deals on the previous page.

                         Deal 1                              Deal 2                             Deal 3

Theory Test Fee     £31.00                                      £31.00                                       £31.00

Practical Test Fee   £62.00                                      £62.00                                       £62.00

Total Fees               £93.00                                      £93.00                                       £93.00

31 Hours                £775.00                                    £736.25                                      £697.50

Less test fee           -£62.00                                     -£62.00                                       -£62.00

Training Cost         £713.00 = £23.00/Hour        £674.25 = £21.75/hour    £635.50 = £20.50/Hour

Total Cost                £806.00                                     £767.25                                     £728.50

Deal 1 is pay as you go. Deal 2 is paying in 10 hour blocks.  Deal 3 is paying for 31 hours up front. 

Cost of a 2nd attempt is between £160.00 and £270.00 so it is expensive to fail.

Some important information when comparing hourly rates;  others may charge a very low price or even free lessons to start with but you can easily end up paying much more. 

Are you getting value for money?  If the instructor is 3 minutes late and finishes just 3 minutes early, that’s 10% lost equivalent to £2.00/hour.  Do you make real progress, learn on every lesson or is a large part of the lesson spent talking rather than driving?

Beware of deals such as 5 hours for £50.00; it is not the first 5 hours, there may be 1 hour on the 1st lesson but the last may have to be taken on a Pass Plus course after you’ve passed.

 The purpose of this page is try and give you an honest answer to a difficult question and enable you to make a good choice.  I hope I have succeded.

One final but important point; the best deals are with large up front payments so you should be sure that your money is safe.  You can pay BSM or you can pay me, whichever you prefer but remember the deal will always between us; BSM would only be acting as my agent.