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Searching for Driving Lessons Newcastle Upon Tyne, Gateshead or the North East? Using advanced teaching methods and technology, our DVSA Approved Driving Instructors provide high-quality driving lessons in Newcastle Upon Tyne, Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Stockton that exceed industry standards, enabling you to easily pass your driving test.

Our experienced instructors provide driving lessons in Newcastle, Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Stockton. Whether you’re just starting out or want to brush up on your skills with one of our intensive driving courses, we’ll get you on the road in no time at all.

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Increased Pass Rate

Having all of your progress at hand means that you can easily access it with just a touch of a button, keeping the information fresh in your mind

Lesson Logs & Progress

Lesson logs and progress reports allow you to track your progress and review what you have learned during your lessons.

Payments and Reminders

Stay on top of your lessons and payments through automated reminders and notifications, ensuring you never miss a lesson or payment again.

Book Lesson Gaps

Book a last minute slot in your instructors diary without having to contact them directly. Handy for those extra lessons.

I passed my driving test today and just want to say a big thank you to my instructor Ciaran! I started out as an extremely anxious driver, but he was always patient and made every lesson calm and straightforward. His clear explanations and calm teaching style really boosted my confidence and helped me feel ready to pass. Cheers 🙂
I had a great experience learning to drive with Shift and my instructor, Ciaran. As an anxious driver, I really appreciated his patience, encouragement, and support, which helped me build up my confidence behind the wheel. The booking app was also very convenient and easy to use, and Ciaran was always flexible and accommodating with my availability. Thanks to his help, I passed my driving test on the first try. Big thank you to Shift and especially to Ciaran for all the support!
I had a few instructors with Shift as my availability changed and they were both really nice! I learned so much more than with my previous instructor. If you're thinking of using Shift, I'd 100% recommend them. I passed first time also.
I highly recommend Shift Driving School Gateshead for beginners or anyone with some prior experience. Their website is excellent, and the app is incredibly user friendly, it makes booking lessons, tracking progress, making payments, and setting your availability so simple.

One of the things that impressed me most was how quickly Shift matched me with an instructor. Within a week of purchasing my package, I was driving. Other companies I contacted took over two weeks just to respond and told me I’d be waiting up to five weeks for an instructor. Choosing Shift was definitely the best decision I made.

I had Simon as my instructor, and he was fantastic. He was super flexible with my hectic schedule, gave me honest and constructive feedback, and used the app to track my progress so I could clearly see what I needed to work on and what I was already doing well. This made the lessons streamlined and efficient.

Simon also gave me the confidence to believe I was ready before I even felt it myself and he was right. Thanks to his teaching, I passed my driving test with zero faults (not even a single minor!).

Overall, Shift offers great cars (Mercedes 😉), an easy to use system, and most importantly, excellent instructors. Huge thanks to Simon for making the learning experience such a positive one!
My experience using Shift Driving School in Gateshead has been outstanding from start to finish.

My instructor, Simon Houghton, was incredibly patient, personable, and knowledgeable. He explained everything clearly, tailored lessons to my pace, and kept me calm with encouraging, constructive feedback.

His local knowledge and practical tips made a huge difference, and my confidence grew every week.

Thanks to Simon’s guidance, I’ve just passed my driving test and feel ready to drive independently.

I’d highly recommend Shift driving School—especially Simon—to anyone in Gateshead looking for a supportive, professional instructor and great results.
Passed with Simon today! He’s an outstanding instructor, so much patience and understanding, especially for neurodivergent learners. My confidence developed massively whilst learning with Simon. Also big shout out to the whole team, especially Lewis, for being so reassuring when I first reached out about lessons. I’d recommend these guys to anyone.
100% recommend Shift to anyone looking to learn. Simon is an excellent instructor, so calm and confident, took his time to understand me and how I learn best so that I could become a confident driver. Passed today with only 1 minor fault!
Super organised with their own app which helps you fit your lessons in whenever you like. Lewis is so patient and supportive and very calming when you’re just beginning. He has really developed my confidence and I couldn’t recommend Shift and Lewis enough!
Lewis is a great instructor, very calming and patient. This was my first lesson with him and I was put at ease straight away. Looking forward to continuing our lessons!

How much are Driving Lessons?

Our standard rates for Manual Lessons are as follows:
Manual Driving Lessons Newcastle and Gateshead – £75 for 2 hours
Manual Driving Lessons Middlesbrough and Redcar – £72 for 2 hours
Manual Intensive Driving Lessons Newcastle and Gateshead – £85 for 2 hours

Our standard rates for Automatic Lessons are as follows:
Automatic  Driving Lessons Newcastle and Gateshead – £80 for 2 hours
Automatic  Driving Lessons Middlesbrough and Redcar – £80 for 2 hours
Automatic Intensive Driving Lessons Newcastle and Gateshead – £85 for 2 hours

Different areas can sometimes have different pricing. You can check if we cover your area and the prices by clicking here. We also offer Block Bookings, Intensive Driving Lessons, Automatic Driving Lessons and Pass Plus Courses.

What areas do you cover for driving lessons?

We provide driving lessons in Newcastle, Gateshead, Middlesbrough, Redcar, Stockton and surrounding areas including Jesmond, Dunston, Blaydon, Low Fell, New Marske, Saltburn and Grangetown. You can check if we cover a particular area and the local prices by clicking here.

Where will I go for my first driving lesson?

When getting behind the wheel for the first time, it’s important that the practice areas are suitable but more importantly, safe. For example, if you have booked driving lessons in Newcastle or Gateshead, your instructor may take you to an industrial estate such as Team Valley for your first few lessons until you grasp the basics and can control the car independently.

Can you help with nervous or anxious drivers?

It just so happens that we specialise in nervous and anxious drivers. We want our learners to feel at ease and to leave feeling confident! Our fully qualified driving instructors have years of experience putting learners’ minds at rest through a calm, supportive teaching approach tailored to your needs. So whether you’re booking driving lessons in Newcastle, or even in Middlesbrough, we have an instructor that will be able to help you with this. Please be sure to let us know at the time of booking though so we can allocate you to the most appropriate driving instructor for you.

Do I really need a driving instructor or should I get private tuition?

There is no denying that private tuition can be a useful tool. While it may seem tempting to have a friend or family member provide the majority of your tuition to learn to drive and save some money, taking professional driving lessons in Newcastle, Gateshead, Redcar or Middlesbrough with a qualified instructor is highly recommended. Our instructors can provide objective feedback on your driving abilities without being swayed by personal factors. Approved driving instructors undergo extensive training and testing to earn their certification. They have an in-depth knowledge of road rules, safe driving techniques, and the ability to teach these skills effectively. It is also extremely likely that you will pick up bad driving habits, or out of date techniques.

Do you have female Instructors?

Yes! At Shift Driving School, we offer both male and female driving instructors to suit your personal preference. We understand that learning to drive is a personal experience, and having the option to choose between male and female instructors can help make students feel more comfortable and confident.

I passed my driving test today and just want to say a big thank you to my instructor Ciaran! I started out as an extremely anxious driver, but he was always patient and made every lesson calm and straightforward. His clear explanations and calm teaching style really boosted my confidence and helped me feel ready to pass. Cheers :)
100% recommend Shift to anyone looking to learn. Simon is an excellent instructor, so calm and confident, took his time to understand me and how I learn best so that I could become a confident driver. Passed today with only 1 minor fault!
I had a few instructors with Shift as my availability changed and they were both really nice! I learned so much more than with my previous instructor. If you're thinking of using Shift, I'd 100% recommend them. I passed first time also.
Highly recommend Shift Driving School. They were an absolute pleasure to deal with from start to finish. Special shout out to my instructor Hassan, who taught me from scratch in just under 6 months. I had no previous driving experience at all and he talked through the steps and skills needed clearly, always supportively pushing me to be my best. Delighted to have passed at first attempt! Couldn’t have done it without the team at Swift and Hassan. Thank you!
My experience using Shift Driving School in Gateshead has been outstanding from start to finish.

My instructor, Simon Houghton, was incredibly patient, personable, and knowledgeable. He explained everything clearly, tailored lessons to my pace, and kept me calm with encouraging, constructive feedback.

His local knowledge and practical tips made a huge difference, and my confidence grew every week.

Thanks to Simon’s guidance, I’ve just passed my driving test and feel ready to drive independently.

I’d highly recommend Shift driving School—especially Simon—to anyone in Gateshead looking for a supportive, professional instructor and great results.
I 10000000% recommend this driving school my instructor has been appsalutly amazing he had so much patience and really helped me through all my lessons then he recommend me a nervous course which really helped me as I really struggled with my nerve on my test but I finally done it and passed my test and I wouldn't have been able to do it if it wasn't for lewis so thank u sooooo much :)
Super organised with their own app which helps you fit your lessons in whenever you like. Lewis is so patient and supportive and very calming when you’re just beginning. He has really developed my confidence and I couldn’t recommend Shift and Lewis enough!
What a great company to not only learn to drive with, but to actually work with too. We would highly recommend Shift without a doubt.
Lewis is a great instructor, very calming and patient. This was my first lesson with him and I was put at ease straight away. Looking forward to continuing our lessons!
Could not recommend Shift enough. I did Automatic Driving Lessons with them and I passed first time in Gateshead. The app is really good too. Would highly recommend!