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Automatic Driving Lessons

If you’re looking for automatic driving lessons in Gateshead or Newcastle, Shift is the perfect choice! Our team of approved driving instructors is dedicated to helping you get your driving license.

Before You Book

Step 1

Before you can start your driving lessons, you’ll first need your provisional license. Click below to apply for one from the gov.uk website

Apply Now

Step 2

Now that you have your Provisional Licence, we can get you booked in. We’ll need to check that you have a valid licence first though, so look out for a text message from us after purchasing lessons.

Book Now
Shift Automatic Driving Tuition Car Newcastle Gateshead

Step 3

The theory test is a crucial part of getting your full license, and it’s important to prepare well in advance. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the Highway Code and practice your hazard perception skills. Ask your instructor about your free Theory Test Pro subscription or click here to request logins.

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Driving Theory Test

Pros

  • No Gears
    No pesky gears to change for turns, approaches and slowing down. The car will change both up and down for you automatically.
  • No Clutch
    No clutch to press when stopping, meaning you can focus on stopping more safely.
  • Smoother Drive
    Most modern cars will change gear as efficiently as possible, but overall it will mean a much smoother ride.

Cons

  • Less Control
    You’ll have alot less control over the performance and drive as the car will handle gear selections, engine braking and rev matching.
  • More Expensive
    You’ll use more fuel in an automatic and pay more for insurance and maintenance.
  • Automatic Licence
    If you’re the designated driver and wanna drive your mates manual car, then think again. Automatics only on this licence.
Even though 84% of cars in the UK still use manual transmission, automatic cars are gaining popularity, and for good reasons. Going for an auto means no more dealing with gears or a clutch pedal.

Driving in the city also becomes much smoother. You can leave behind the concerns of clutch control and wearing it out. Additionally, there’s no need to deal with the constant stop-and-go frustration of traffic jams.

However, it’s important to note that automatics aren’t perfect either. Before you make a booking, it’s a good idea to know about their downsides too.

Automatic cars not only cost more to buy but also tend to guzzle more fuel and can be pricier to service.

Keep in mind that if you get an automatic license, you won’t be able to drive a manual car later. However, manual drivers have the option to switch to an auto if they want to.

Also, learning to drive in an automatic doesn’t always make it easier or quicker. Pass rates for automatic cars are lower compared to manual cars.

Automatic Prices

Select Area

  • DVSA Theory Test
    Add to cart

    DVSA Theory Test

    £30.00
  • Automatic Beginners Course
    Add to cart

    Automatic Beginners Course

    Newcastle

    £140.00
  • Automatic Driving Lesson - 2 Hours
    Add to cart

    Automatic Driving Lesson – 2 Hours

    Newcastle

    £75.00
  • Automatic Driving Lessons - 10 Hours
    Add to cart

    Automatic Driving Lessons – 10 Hours

    Newcastle

    £370.00
  • Automatic Driving Lessons - 20 Hours
    Add to cart

    Automatic Driving Lessons – 20 Hours

    Newcastle

    £720.00
  • DVSA Theory Test
    Add to cart

    DVSA Theory Test

    £30.00
  • Automatic Beginners Course
    Add to cart

    Automatic Beginners Course

    Newcastle

    £140.00
  • Automatic Driving Lesson - 2 Hours
    Add to cart

    Automatic Driving Lesson – 2 Hours

    Newcastle

    £75.00
  • Automatic Driving Lessons - 10 Hours
    Add to cart

    Automatic Driving Lessons – 10 Hours

    Newcastle

    £370.00
  • Automatic Driving Lessons - 20 Hours
    Add to cart

    Automatic Driving Lessons – 20 Hours

    Newcastle

    £720.00

Student Reviews

Jennifer B
Passed with Simon a few days ago! It has been a really good experience doing my lesson with Shift Driving School. I want to thank Simon most especially for his patience and for helping me pass my driving! It has been a journey, but we got there!
Sadie Saunders
Passed my test today on my first attempt and wanted to say a huge thank you to my instructor Ciaran! He was absolutely fantastic, really patient, and taught me to drive and manage my anxiety at the same time which was not an easy task! I would definitely recommend shift driving school, I started out with no experience driving and massively nervous and now I’m a confident full fledged driver!
Joanne Downey
I honestly cannot thank the team enough.

Simon was my instructor and I felt comfortable with him right from the start. He was incredibly flexible around my work schedule, always fitting lessons in when I needed them, and he adapted his teaching style to whatever helped me learn each new skill. He is extremely knowledgeable and always had great tips and explanations that made everything so much easier to understand. I genuinely never thought I would become a driver, especially learning in my 40s, but Simon gave me the confidence and belief that I could do it. We also had such a good laugh on our lessons and I will really miss them now I have passed. I would highly recommend him to anyone who is nervous, unsure or doubting themselves.

I also had Lewis for one of my mock tests and he instantly put me at ease. He is really easy to get along with and gave clear, helpful feedback that I really appreciated.

Alex was brilliant from the very beginning. I first dealt with him when I enquired about lessons and even though there was a waitlist he was really helpful with timings and getting everything organised. The app, payments and communication were all smooth and straightforward. He also took me out on a mock test and again I felt completely comfortable and I took all of his feedback on board.

One thing that really stands out about this company is the genuine positivity and support from everyone. Each instructor was rooting for me along the way and when you see them all out on lessons you can tell they have a real sense of camaraderie and team spirit.

I would recommend this driving school to anyone. They have been amazing from start to finish.
Matthew Calladine
Can highly recommend Shift Driving School.
I passed today after having lessons with instructor Hassan. He was always patient, clear and friendly during lessons, and he’s someone who is clearly very diligent and cares about his work, which is extremely motivating for learners.
Thank you!
Eleanor Sparkes
I was lucky enough to be taught by Alex who was brilliant! Alex was very supportive and honestly just seemed to know exactly what to say when it came to my anxiety around driving. I would definitely recommend Shift to anyone wanting to learn how to drive.
Julie
Can not thank the team enough for all the support and encouragement for getting me through my driver training.... 24/7 support and 1 to 1 training through out, if anyone is thinking of becoming an instructor this is the school to do it with 100%
Yusuf Ahmed
Hassan is extraordinary, got me sorted for my test within a few months! Calm, collected and goes above and beyond. Highly recommended
Alfred Tan
Great instructors, Hassan got me passed really fast and even managed to move my test to a sooner date! Super patient and great at explaining. Would highly recommend.
Saman Kumara
I passed my driving test last weekend, I want to say huge thanks to my instructor Lisa baour, she's been amazing mentor throughout the process. I'm from different country and I didn't have any driving experience before, so I had to learn everything from the scratch, she's been calm and polite from the very beginning, that help me lot to boost my confidence and take out my driving nervousness. Thank you so much Lisa and shift for making me a better driver, i higly recommend Lisa and shift, you won't be disappointed..cheers 🍻🍻
Lucy Ann Stinton
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 🙂

FAQ

How many driving lessons will I need?

The number of driving lessons you’ll need will depend on your individual circumstances and how quickly you learn. On average, it takes around 40-50 hours of driving lessons to pass the driving test, but some people may need more or less depending on their previous experience, confidence level, and ability to learn.

Do you have female driving instructors?

Yes, we do have female driving instructors available. When you book your driving lessons, you can request a female instructor if you prefer.

Do you do manual lessons?

Yes, we offer manual driving lessons in addition to automatic lessons. If you prefer to learn in a manual car, we can accommodate your needs. Click here to be taken to our Manual Driving Lessons page.

Is there a long wait for driving lessons?

We do our best to accommodate all our students’ needs and offer flexible scheduling. However, availability may vary depending on the location and the time of year.

What other areas do you cover?

At the moment we provide driving lessons in Newcastle, Gateshead and surrounding areas. Additionally, we are actively seeking driving instructors in other areas. Do you know someone who has what it takes? Click here to visit our become a driving instructor page.

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Jennifer B.
Passed with Simon a few days ago! It has been a really good experience doing my lesson with Shift Driving School. I want to thank Simon most especially for his patience and for helping me pass my driving! It has been a journey, but we got there!
Garry D.
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!
Joanne D.
I honestly cannot thank the team enough.

Simon was my instructor and I felt comfortable with him right from the start. He was incredibly flexible around my work schedule, always fitting lessons in when I needed them, and he adapted his teaching style to whatever helped me learn each new skill. He is extremely knowledgeable and always had great tips and explanations that made everything so much easier to understand. I genuinely never thought I would become a driver, especially learning in my 40s, but Simon gave me the confidence and belief that I could do it. We also had such a good laugh on our lessons and I will really miss them now I have passed. I would highly recommend him to anyone who is nervous, unsure or doubting themselves.

I also had Lewis for one of my mock tests and he instantly put me at ease. He is really easy to get along with and gave clear, helpful feedback that I really appreciated.

Alex was brilliant from the very beginning. I first dealt with him when I enquired about lessons and even though there was a waitlist he was really helpful with timings and getting everything organised. The app, payments and communication were all smooth and straightforward. He also took me out on a mock test and again I felt completely comfortable and I took all of his feedback on board.

One thing that really stands out about this company is the genuine positivity and support from everyone. Each instructor was rooting for me along the way and when you see them all out on lessons you can tell they have a real sense of camaraderie and team spirit.

I would recommend this driving school to anyone. They have been amazing from start to finish.
Denise W.
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 :)
Eleanor S.
I was lucky enough to be taught by Alex who was brilliant! Alex was very supportive and honestly just seemed to know exactly what to say when it came to my anxiety around driving. I would definitely recommend Shift to anyone wanting to learn how to drive.
Webdeco.
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.
Yusuf A.
Hassan is extraordinary, got me sorted for my test within a few months! Calm, collected and goes above and beyond. Highly recommended
Alfred T.
Great instructors, Hassan got me passed really fast and even managed to move my test to a sooner date! Super patient and great at explaining. Would highly recommend.
Saman K.
I passed my driving test last weekend, I want to say huge thanks to my instructor Lisa baour, she's been amazing mentor throughout the process. I'm from different country and I didn't have any driving experience before, so I had to learn everything from the scratch, she's been calm and polite from the very beginning, that help me lot to boost my confidence and take out my driving nervousness. Thank you so much Lisa and shift for making me a better driver, i higly recommend Lisa and shift, you won't be disappointed..cheers 🍻🍻
Lucy Ann S.
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 :)