Cheapest Isn’t Always Best: Choosing the best Driving Instructor Is About More Than Just Price
So, you’ve started looking for a driving instructor. Maybe you’re a 17-year-old desperate to ditch the bus pass. Maybe you’re a parent trying to balance the cost of lessons with the cost of everything else. Either way, one thing’s for sure — you’re not short of options.
But here’s something worth thinking about:
Why are some instructors cheaper than others?
And more importantly… does it really save you anything?
The Price Conversation: A Real One
I recently took a call from a prospective pupil who told me that my prices were “very high.” I listened. Politely. Then I explained that although I might charge more per hour than some instructors, the overall cost of learning to drive with me is often significantly less — sometimes up to 25% cheaper in real money terms.
How? Simple. My students don’t take more lessons than they need. They don’t get stuck repeating basics. And they don’t just get taught to pass a test — they get taught to drive, confidently and safely, anywhere.
Two Weeks Waiting List: What That Really Means
When I told her I was fully booked for the next two weeks, she said she wanted to start this week, and there were cheaper instructors available immediately. I asked a gentle question:
“What do you think that tells you?”
The truth is, an instructor with wide-open availability right now, in an area where most diaries are full, should make you pause for thought. Availability disappearing quickly isn’t a sales tactic — it’s a natural side-effect of demand. And demand doesn’t happen by accident.
What You’re Actually Paying For
Let’s cut to it.
You’re not just paying for an hour in a car. You’re investing in:
My background: Nearly 3 decades as a police advanced driver. A former DVSA driving test examiner. I’ve conducted thousands of tests. I know exactly what examiners look for — because I used to be one.
Results: Every single Lernin student so far has passed first time — some in under 20 hours of professional tuition. That’s not marketing fluff. That’s verifiable.
🗣️ “Brilliant instructor — only 10 hours with Sean and I passed first time at Loughton. Really patient and professional.”
— Shahid Rahimi
🗣️ “I passed after 16 hours with 2 minors. He goes into detail about driving which helps a lot.”
— Kacper Kot
Quality over quantity: I teach in two-hour blocks because the science backs it up. One-hour lessons don’t cut it when it comes to building muscle memory, improving cognitive recall, or developing real-world driving confidence. Two hours gives you time to settle, progress, reflect — and push beyond.
Progressive learning: If you’ve already mastered something, we move on. If you can move off and stop safely, there’s no point spending another hour doing it over and over again. Why would we? You’ll be doing it hundreds of times on the road anyway. We move forward — literally and metaphorically.
The ‘40-Hour’ Myth
The DVSA recommend 45 hours of lessons with 20 hours of private practice.
That’s a guideline. It’s not gospel. Many of my students are test-ready around the 20-hour mark because we don’t waste time. We focus on risk, situational awareness, and real-world driving from day one — not just “how to pass”.
🗣️ “I passed my driving test first time at Wanstead thanks to the excellent automatic driving lessons I had with Sean.”
— Caoimhe McClelland
🗣️ “I passed on my first attempt, and it wouldn’t have been possible without Sean from Lernin Driving School.”
— Danish Raza
Why It’s About Value, Not Just Price
Let’s be realistic — most instructors in this area aren’t £5 per hour cheaper. If they are, it comes down to choice.
I’m not trying to be the cheapest. My prices are set properly, based on what I offer — and they’re far from overpriced. Step outside of London and you’ll find instructors charging £45–£55 per hour. So if someone local is offering lessons for significantly less, it’s worth asking:
Are they a trainee instructor or a fully qualified instructor?
There is a big difference. One has not yet passed the stringent tough practical assessment and may have already failed it more than once. Trainee’s are not allowed to advertise (other than through the driving school that is sponsoring them. The other has passed the assessment and could be a low pass or a high pass, This again makes a difference. Top score is 51. Ask them their score, because it really does make a difference if they are a 31 or a 51. At 43 and above, they wont be the cheapest around because that is a top notch score.
How many lessons do they do daily ?
If an instructor is paying franchise fees, leasing a dual-control car, and covering fuel, then charging £30/hour, that doesn’t stretch very far. That’s why many instructors end up working long hours every week — and let’s be honest, that takes a toll.
And when your instructor is tired, distracted, or overloaded, who suffers?
You do.
You need your instructor sharp, focused, and fully present — not counting the hours until their next break. That’s why I teach a maximum of three 2-hour lessons per day, so I’m always on top of my game.
If you want to go to someone for a few quid less, that’s your call. I won’t try to talk you out of it.
But just remember — you only learn to drive once, and you don’t want to do it with someone running on empty.
Choose wisely.
Why I Don’t Overload My Diary
I’ve worked for over 35 years, and I know the limitations of fatigue and poor focus — especially when it comes to road safety. I’ve seen the consequences of tiredness behind the wheel. I’ve stood at the roadside. I’ve sat in front rooms explaining the aftermath. That’s not theory — it’s lived experience.
So I run my diary accordingly. I occasionally do four lessons a day, but I quickly realised I wasn’t at my best. Now, I cap it at three 2-hour lessons per day. I’ll work evenings. I’ll work weekends. But I won’t teach when I’m tired — because in order to get the best out of you, I have to be at my best too.
And when I’m with a student, my business stops. No phone calls. No texts. No distractions.
You’re paying for my time — and you get 100% of me, 100% of the time.
The admin? That gets done after a good night’s sleep, or once the last pupil is dropped home and I’m back in instructor mode, not driving mode.
That’s how I work — because that’s how I know it works.
What Makes Lernin Different?
✅ 100% First-time Pass Rate
✅ Former DVSA Examiner
✅ Former Police Advanced Driver
✅ Structured 2-hour lessons
✅ Honest progress reviews
✅ No ‘padding out’ or wasting your time
✅ Clear communication and boundaries
✅ Solid reputation built on trust and results
🗣️ “Couldn’t recommend anyone more than Sean!”
— Jerolyne Kalule
🗣️ “Sean taught my son for five 2-hour lessons. He was positive and gave great instruction that brought my son’s driving to test standard.”
— Paul H
🗣️ “I’ve had five instructors over the years. Sean was by far the best — calm, clear and helped build my confidence fast.”
— Matthew Langley
🗣️ “Sean has been an amazing instructor, teaching me how to drive almost flawlessly, striving for perfection and always encouraging me.”
— Layla
When Our Journey Ends
And perhaps most importantly — this isn’t a conveyor belt. Every pupil is different. We build a professional relationship, and over time, there’s trust, laughs, progress, and the occasional tough conversation. But it’s always with a clear goal: to get you passed and driving confidently, first time.
That journey is time-limited. It has a natural end.
When I drop you home with your pass certificate in hand, it’s always a bit of a moment — a mix of pride and, yes, a little sadness. I’m a driving instructor, not a best mate — and we don’t fall out. But we probably won’t see each other again. And that’s exactly how it should be.
Because by passing first time, you’ve not only hit your own goal, you’ve made space for someone else to begin their journey. That’s generosity in motion — and it keeps the cycle going.
Final Thought
I might be the cheapest instructor you come across — if you compare me to a small handful.
I might be the most expensive — if you compare me to a different group.
I don’t check other instructors’ prices. That’s not how I run my business.
Lernin’s pricing is carefully thought out — structured so we don’t overcharge, and we don’t undersell what we deliver. It reflects the quality, the experience, the structure, and the results.
Because let’s be honest — when you’re choosing a driving instructor, what matters more?
That I was a DVSA examiner?
That I was a police advanced driver?
That every single student so far has passed first time?
Or that someone else is £2/hour cheaper and can squeeze you in tomorrow?
Only you can answer that.
But if you’re the kind of learner — or parent — who cares about doing this once and doing it properly…
When it comes to choosing the best driving instructor make sure you choose wisely.