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Shift Driving School has a team of experienced local driving instructors in the Newcastle area. If you’re looking to learn to drive and need a driving school in Newcastle, you’re in the right place!

Call now or book online 24/7

Experienced Instructors

Our approved driving instructors have years of driving experience.

High
Pass Rate

When we send a student for test, they are equipped to succeed.

Flexible
Scheduling

Flexible scheduling options including evenings and weekends.

Excellent Safety Record

Shifts’ safety record is reflected in our learners’ ability to become confident drivers.

Personalise Your Learning

Tell us about your personality and what you like and dislike.

  • Jesmond
  • Kenton
  • Kingston Park
  • Lemington
  • Newburn
  • Sandyford
  • Spital Tongues
  • West Denton
  • Westerhope
  • Wingrove
  • Jesmond
  • Kenton
  • Kingston Park
  • Lemington
  • Newburn
  • Sandyford
  • West Denton
  • Westerhope
  • Wingrove
  • Manual Beginners Course

    Newcastle

    £140.00
  • Manual Driving Lesson – 2 Hours

    Newcastle

    £75.00
  • Manual Driving Lessons – 10 Hours

    Newcastle

    £370.00
  • Manual Driving Lessons – 20 Hours

    Newcastle

    £720.00
  • Automatic Beginners Course

    Newcastle

    £140.00
  • Automatic Driving Lesson – 2 Hours

    Newcastle

    £75.00
  • Automatic Driving Lessons – 10 Hours

    Newcastle

    £370.00
  • Automatic Driving Lessons – 20 Hours

    Newcastle

    £720.00
  • DVSA Theory Test

    £30.00
  • Mock Driving Test
    Select options This product has multiple variants. The options may be chosen on the product page

    Mock Driving Test

    £40.00

Local Test Centre

Gateshead Test Centre

Shift provides comprehensive driver training that covers both fundamental and advanced techniques. Our exceptional first-time pass rate surpasses the national average, reflecting our commitment to excellence. Whether you’re a novice or seeking to enhance your existing skills, our highly experienced instructors will guide you towards becoming a safe and confident driver. The closest test centre to Newcastle is Gateshead, and our instructors have extensive local knowledge of the area. With their understanding of Gateshead and the surrounding areas, you’ll receive the best guidance available. Book your driving lessons in Newcastle today with Shift and embark on the path to obtaining your full driver’s license!

Current Pass Rate*

48.8%

Waterside Drive, Dunston, Gateshead, NE11 9HU

Wheelchair Accessible

Excellent
Shift Driving School
Based on 58 reviews
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 many lessons will I need?

The number of lessons you’ll need will depend on your individual circumstances and how quickly you learn. On average, it takes around 40-50 hours to pass the test, but some people may need more or less depending on their previous experience, confidence level, and ability to learn. Bear in mind also that your instructor will only take you for test if they deem you to be ready for it, otherwise they will not allow you to use their vehicle for it.

Do you have female instructors?

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

Do you teach test routes?

Your instructor will show you some popular test areas, but they won’t necessarily be the exact routes. Our theory is, when you have finished your training with Shift, you should be able to drive on any road in the United Kingdom. This isn’t to say that your instructor won’t show you any complex roundabouts or hazards in the test area though. Its good to know locations of popular landmarks too so you have a good idea of where you are, so you know what to expect.

Is there a long wait for driving lessons in Newcastle?

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. Availability at the moment fluctuates quite a lot, so you are probably best off giving us a call on 0333 996 8989 or you can see our current waiting times if any by clicking here.

What other areas do you cover?

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

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!