Driving Lessons in Bradford

Your guide to learning to drive in Bradford

View other guides: Driving Lessons in London, Driving Lessons in Birmingham, Driving Lessons in Manchester.

How to choose a driving instructor in Bradford

You want an instructor who:

• Supports you in your learning
• Makes learning fun

• Won’t charge a fortune!

Be sure tIck these 4 things off your list:

1. Compare reviews

It's always a good idea to look at objective review sites to see what learners like you have said about the driving schools in Bradford. You'll get a better feel for how instructors treat their learners and what their teaching style is by reading other peoples experiences.

2. Beware of terms and conditions

If you block book with certain schools in Bradford but aren’t able to complete all your lessons, you won’t be refunded. It's always important to look through the terms and conditions carefully to make sure you don’t get caught out by any hidden policies.

3. Check that you can switch instructors

There are schools in Bradford that can provide you with a new instructor immediately, but others may not be able to. You’ll want to make sure that your driving school will allow you to change instructors if needed.

4. Avoid long waiting times

Don't pay for lessons until you know how soon a driving school can get you on the road. There are some driving schools in Bradford that won’t show their waiting times until you’ve begun to book your lessons. This means you could be waiting for much longer than you’d like to actually start learning to drive.

Choosing between manual and automatic

Decide on whether you want manual or automatic driving lessons before you start learning to drive.

First off, it's important to know a manual licence lets you drive both manuals and automatics, so its the best route to go if you’re uncertain which car you want in the long run.

Manual cars are cheaper than automatics to buy, maintain and get lessons for. You might like the sense of control that a manual gives you too.

However, since automatics don’t have a clutch pedal, you can learn much quicker in them. Not to mention they are much more relaxing in traffic. Bradford gets busier as you head towards the city centre, so an automatic would be useful here and on tricky roads like the A6177 and the A6036.

You’ve got the facts, now you can make the choice!

Choosing your test centre

Your instructor will help you practise the routes that are likely to come up in your driving test. Here are the ones that are closest to you.

Test centre pass rates

DVSA practical car test pass rates, 2018-2019.

Heaton Test Centre | Pass rate: 42.4%

Heaton Test Centre is a little blue building on Farfield Street. You might get some crossroads like on Park Drive, Victoria Road and High Bank Lane.

Address: 5AS, 15 Farfield Street, Bradford

Thornbury Test Centre | Pass rate: 40.6%

Thornbury Test Centre is within the Midpoint Suite complex near Gypsy Street. You’ll likely come across main roads like the A647 and the A6177 on your test.

Address: The Courtyard, Midpoint, Thornbury, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD3 7AY

Check out the DVSA page to find your nearest Driving Test Centre.

Test tips from Bradford instructors

1. Take care on narrow back roads

Quiet back roads within residential areas like Park View Road will feature on the driving test. These types of roads can be dangerous due to their narrow size as well as the chance of encountering oncoming vehicles. Make sure to check your mirrors and keep an eye out for other road users.

2. Prepare for roundabouts

If you go to Heaton Test Centre, you’ll get a handful of roundabouts on roads like Lycroft Road, Moorhead Lane and Saltaire Road on your test. Make sure to maintain a low speed and keep within your lane.

3. Plan in advance for the parking

No parking is available at either of the test centres in the Bradford postcode. Prepare for this in advance and make sure not to park too far away from the centre.

4. Keep calm on busy main roads

Busy A roads like the A650 will feature if you take your test at Heaton Test Centre. Traffic might pile up which can be stressful, but keep calm and check your mirrors to make sure you're aware of nearby drivers, as well as bikes and motorcycles.

5. Take a driving lesson beforehand

Having a final driving lesson just before your practical test should give you a much-needed confidence boost. You could use the time to get used to the day’s driving conditions and go over any roads you want more practice on.