Learning to drive is one of the most important skills you’ll ever acquire — and in a busy city like Manchester, picking the right driving instructor or school can make all the difference. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a nervous learner looking for extra support, this guide breaks down the best driving schools in Manchester for beginners, based on local reputation, reviews, and success rates.
We’ve also included a search tool, which will help you find beginner-friendly instructors around the Manchester area! It’s automatically filtered to give results relevant to you.
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Here's some of the best beginner-friendly driving schools in Manchester
Just in case you can’t find what you’re looking for, we have made a list of the top 10 driving schools in Manchester for you to take a look at. We’ve also highlighted some of the points that make each particular school a good choice for beginner drivers. Without further delay, here’s our list:
GoLearn Driving School
If you’re looking for a driving school with a personal touch, GoLearn is a fantastic choice. Known for their patient, friendly instructors and flexible lesson times (including evenings and weekends), GoLearn is ideal for nervous drivers and total beginners alike. With a high first-time pass rate, it’s a popular pick across Greater Manchester.
Manual and automatic lessons
High first-time pass rate
Evening and weekend availability
SurePass Driving School
Need to pass your test quickly? SurePass is known for its intensive crash courses, helping learners get test-ready in as little as one week. They also offer regular weekly lessons and packages with home pick-up.
One-week intensive courses available
Clear lesson structure
Highly-rated instructors
AA Driving School
AA Driving School combines the national reputation of a household name with trusted local instructors in Manchester. They offer both manual and automatic lessons and boast a pass rate 13% above the national average.
Trusted UK-wide brand
Online tools and progress tracking
Flexible lesson times
RED Driving School
RED has decades of experience training learners across the UK. Their instructors are praised for their modern teaching techniques and helpful digital resources, which make learning the theory and practical side of driving easier for beginners.
Theory test resources included
Both car types available
Good choice for younger learners
Suja Driving School
A Manchester-based independent driving school with a 92% pass rate and over 1,500 five-star reviews. Suja offers a wide range of packages — from crash courses to “guaranteed pass” deals — and is popular in south Manchester, including areas like Didsbury and Withington.
Competitive pricing
Guaranteed pass options
Strong local reputation
BSM (British School of Motoring)
With more than a century of experience, BSM continues to be a reliable option for new drivers. Over 75% of their students pass their test within 40 hours of lessons, and their instructors are fully DVSA-approved.
Over 100 years of experience
Offers a progress-tracking app
Large fleet of dual-controlled cars
Bill Plant Driving School
Awarded National Driving School of the Year in 2023, Bill Plant stands out for its well-maintained Volkswagen fleet, great lesson packages, and instructor quality. They’re especially strong in city-centre and Salford-based bookings.
Multi-award-winning
Block booking discounts
Dual-control VW vehicles
HDS Driving School
HDS Driving School earns praise for its flexible lesson times and approachable instructors. They offer both manual and automatic tuition and are known for customizing lessons based on each learner’s confidence level.
Lessons seven days a week
Excellent reviews from nervous drivers
Options to book lessons online
driveJohnson’s Driving School
DriveJohnson’s has been teaching learners for over a decade, and offers both affordable pricing and flexible scheduling — lessons are available every day from 7am to 9pm. You can also choose between male and female instructors.
Affordable and beginner-friendly
Open seven days a week
Female instructors available
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right driving school in Manchester doesn’t have to be stressful. Whether you want to learn quickly through an intensive course or take things one step at a time, there’s an option on this list to suit every learner.
If you’re ready to get behind the wheel and start your journey toward independence, book your first lesson today with one of these top-rated schools.
