Learning to Drive · 4 min
The licence is the cheap bit. Lessons, tests and then your first insurance quote are where the money goes.
~45 hrs
of lessons is what the DVSA says most learners need.
The 10-second version
Here's roughly where the money goes before you've even bought a car.
Licence and tests: ~£120
Provisional £34, theory £23, practical £62.
Lessons: ~£1,800
About 45 hours at roughly £40.
Prices vary by area and by how many hours you need. Practice with family saves money.
Pick one. Most people mix them, which is the cheapest way.
Your theory pass lasts 2 years, so don't pass it too early or you'll have to retake it.
Provisional licence2 years: practical deadline
A typical learner needs about 67 hours of practice in total:
45 hrs with an instructor22 hrs private practice
Ready to dive deeper? The full Learning to Drive guide has the mechanics, worked examples and fine print.