Driving Test Tips

  • Learn to Drive
  • Driving Theory Test
  • Driving Test Tutorials
  • Tips for Passing the Driving Test
  • Driving Schools
  • Car Tips
  • Driving Tips
Home Why Driving Instructors Charge For the Driving Test

Why Driving Instructors Charge For the Driving Test

Why Driving Instructors Charge For the Driving Test

If you’re using your driving instructors car during the driving test, the instructor may wait back at the test centre, go have a cup of coffee, or perhaps sit in the back of the car during your test. What ever the instructor does, they can’t offer you an awful lot of help, so why do driving instructors charge for the driving test?



Driving instructors charge for the driving test for the following reasons:

  1. Almost all driving instructors are self-employed, so if they don’t charge for the use of their car during the test, they aren’t earning. Essentially, a driving instructor could be teaching on a driving lesson (and earning) rather than giving you free use of their car on the test.
  2. Running costs of the car all add up. While out on your test, there will be vehicle wear and tear, fuel running costs and other expenses that the instructor has to pay such as tax and insurance.

How Much Should a Driving Instructor Charge Me for the Test?

All expenses and fees should be arranged with the driving instructor prior to the test. That way, there’ll be no unexpected fees to pay. If you’re not entirely sure why you’re being charged, ask the driving instructor for a breakdown of costs. How much a driving instructor charges you for the test could vary, but a typical example is:


  • Two hours; one hour for a warm up drive and to get to the test centre in time. The remaining hour is for the test itself and for the time it takes for the instructor to drive you home. The two hours are usually equal to the amount you would pay for two driving lessons with that instructor. If it’s more and you’re not sure why, ask the instructor.
  • There may be additional charges if you live quite a distance from the test centre and require more time on the day.
  • If the instructor booked and paid for your driving test, you can expect the test fee to be an additional charge.
  • A driving instructor may charge more if your test is over a weekend. But this should only apply if they generally charge more for weekend lessons.

Unfair Charges

As said, it’s important that all fees are arranged before the test and that you’re charged fairly. Certain driving instructors use the test as a way of making easy money by charging excessive hourly rates and for charging additional fees such as insurance for the driving test (driving tests are already covered by their insurance).

Can I Reduce the Costs?

If viable, you could consider borrowing a car from a friend or family member to take the test in. You’ll also need to arrange a supervising passenger to accompany you to the test. Bear in mind however that there will need to be learner driver insurance purchased.

Though this may save you money compared to using the driving instructors car, if you are not familiar with driving the borrowed car, it may have a negative impact on your driving test performance. It’s strongly recommended that you take the driving test in the same car you have for lessons as you’ll be familiar with it.





Driving Test Tips
Theory Test Changes 2020How to Check if My Driving Licence is Valid

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Driving Test Tips

Experienced and fully qualified driving instructors helping learner drivers pass the DVSA practical driving test.

Practical Driving Test
Driving Test Tips Blog
  • Blog Front Page


Categories
  • Driving Test Routes (2)
  • Learning to Drive (13)
  • Passed Driving Test (19)
  • Practical Driving Test (17)
  • Theory Test (1)
Recent Posts
  • Parents Parking Outside of Schools
  • No Driving Test Dates Available
  • How to Check if My Driving Licence is Valid
  • Why Driving Instructors Charge For the Driving Test
  • Theory Test Changes 2020
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • International Drivers Tips
  • Driving Instructor Training Advice
  • About Driving Test Tips
  • Contact Driving Test Tips
2020 © Driving Test Tips
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.Accept Reject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.