TOP GEAR DRIVING ACADEMY
DRIVING LESSONS IN TORBAY (TORQUAY, PAIGNTON, BRIXHAM) & EXETER AREAS
COVERING TORBAY, NEWTON ABBOT, EXETER & SURROUNDING AREAS
CALL : 01803 341004
07760 310015
From 1.5hrs driving lessons to a whole days training
High first time pass rate
Progress cards
Instructor training
Driving Lessons in Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Newton Abbot & Exeter
At Top Gear Driving Academy, we provide professional, reliable and results-driven driving lessons across Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Newton Abbot and Exeter. With over 25 years of trusted teaching experience, we are proud to be one of the South West’s leading independent driving schools, helping learners of all ages gain the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to pass their test and drive safely for life.
Whether you are a complete beginner, a nervous driver returning to the road, or looking to upgrade your licence, our fully qualified instructors offer tailored tuition designed around your individual goals and learning style.
Expert Driving Tuition with Fully Qualified Instructors
All of our instructors are DVSA Grade A approved and RoSPA Gold qualified, ensuring the highest standards of road safety and teaching ability. At Top Gear Driving Academy, we believe learning to drive should be structured, supportive and enjoyable. Our instructors are patient, punctual and professional, creating a calm learning environment that helps you progress quickly and confidently.
We understand that every learner is different. That’s why we personalise every lesson, focusing on building safe driving habits, hazard awareness and test readiness from day one.
Manual and Automatic Driving Lessons
We offer both manual driving lessons and automatic driving lessons throughout Torbay and the surrounding areas.
- Manual driving lessons – Ideal for learners who want the flexibility to drive both manual and automatic vehicles after passing their test.
- Automatic driving lessons – Perfect for those who prefer a simpler driving experience without gear changes and clutch control.
Our modern, dual-controlled vehicles are maintained to the highest standard, giving you complete peace of mind while learning.
Competitive Driving Lesson Prices from £42 per Hour
We provide high-quality driving lessons at competitive local rates, with prices starting from £42 per hour. We also offer block booking discounts and flexible lesson packages to suit your schedule and budget.
Whether you prefer weekly lessons or more intensive tuition, we will help you choose the right course to reach test standard efficiently.
Specialist Driver Training
In addition to standard car driving lessons, Top Gear Driving Academy also offers specialist training, including:
- Minibus driver training
- Truck and trailer towing instruction
- Post-test refresher lessons
- Confidence building sessions
- Motorway tuition
This makes us a comprehensive driver training provider across South Devon.
Why Choose Top Gear Driving Academy?
- Over 25 years of local teaching experience
- DVSA Grade A & RoSPA Gold instructors
- Manual and automatic tuition available
- Modern, dual-controlled vehicles
- Competitive prices from £42 per hour
- Friendly, patient and professional instructors
- Excellent first-time pass support
Our strong local reputation is built on trust, results and word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied learners across Torquay and the surrounding areas.
Start Your Driving Journey Today
Considering learning to drive in Torquay or the wider South Devon area? We’re here to help.
Call 01803 341004 today or use the contact form to find out:
- How long it typically takes to learn to drive
- Current driving lesson availability and waiting times
- Driving lesson prices and block booking offers
- Whether manual or automatic lessons are right for you
At Top Gear Driving Academy, we are committed to delivering high-quality driving instruction that gives you the confidence to pass your test and drive safely for life.
Book your driving lessons in Torquay today and take the first step towards independence on the road.
Call 01803 341004
successful passes
High pass rate of students
Locations
PAIGNTON
Driving lessons in Paignton
Lessons from £42ph
TORQUAY
Driving lessons in Torquay
Lessons from £42ph
Newton Abbott
Driving lessons in Newton Abbot
Lessons from £42ph
Exeter Area
Driving lessons in Exeter and surrounding areas.
Lessons from £52ph
Immediate start for Automatic
Immediate start for students wanting to learn in Automatic vehicles.
High pass rate
Expert instruction to ensure you are ready for your test.
A Team Who Cares
Patient and reliable instructors with years of experience.
ENQUIRE Today
Frequently Asked Questions
Price List
See price list here
Free Theory Test Pro for current students
All current students get free access to Theory Test Pro
Intensive Courses
All intensive courses are subject to an initial driving assessment.
All driving assessments will last approximately 1.5 hours.
During your assessment the driving instructor will ask you to demonstrate your ability to drive the car under control and ask you certain road knowledge questions.
At the end of the assessment, you and your instructor will then discuss how many hours are required for you to pass your test and the come up with a game plan.
Trailer Training
For those people that are requiring to tow a trailer or a caravan, we offer reversing courses.
These courses can be tailor made to suit the individual, whether it be horse boxes, caravans or small trailers.
Each course normally consists of the reversing exercise and a coupling.
Driving Test 'Show Me/Tell Me'
You’ll be asked 2 vehicle safety questions during your car driving test.
The examiner will ask you one:
- ‘tell me’ question (where you explain how you’d carry out a safety task) at the start of your test, before you start driving
- ‘show me’ question (where you show how you’d carry out a safety task) while you’re driving
Learn more here:
Am I ready to take the test/course?
Cancellation Policy
A minimum of 48 hours notice before the start of any booked course or lesson must be given. Courses or lessons cancelled within this period for any reason will be fully chargeable.
Failure to arrive for any lesson within 15 minutes of the start time will result in the lesson being abandoned and will be fully chargeable at your current lesson rate.
Should an instructor arrive late for a lesson the full lesson time booked will be delivered.
Should a pupil arrive late for a lesson (within 15mins of start time-please see above T&C’s) the remaining time of the booked lesson will be delivered.
If an instructor cancels for any reason there will be no charge for the cancelled lesson and an alternative date and time will be offered.
What are your terms and conditions?
See Here
Top gear driving academy driving you to success!
Cancellations:
A minimum of 48 hours notice before the start of any booked course or lesson must be given. Courses or lessons cancelled within this period for any reason will be fully chargeable.
Failure to arrive for any lesson within 15 minutes of the start time will result in the lesson being abandoned and will be fully chargeable at your current lesson rate.
Should an instructor arrive late for a lesson the full lesson time booked will be delivered.
Should a pupil arrive late for a lesson (within 15mins of start time-please see above T&C’s) the remaining time of the booked lesson will be delivered.
If an instructor cancels for any reason there will be no charge for the cancelled lesson and an alternative date and time will be offered.
Why do you have a cancellation policy ?
Being a driving instructor is not a highly paid job unlike you maybe lead to believe.
So if someone cancels a course at short notice or doesn’t turn up for the lesson this will affect their income. Which in turn will affect their ability to pay their own bills. So this is why we have a 2 week cancellation policy for intensive courses and 48 hours for weekly lessons.
If you really do need to cancel your instructor will try his or her upmost to fill the space so you don’t get charged but this is not always possible.
Are you ready for the test/ course?
Is your instructor still having to take control with the dual controls or take control by use of the steering wheel?
If this is the case then you may not be ready for test.
You’re instructor will not take you to test if you are not ready for the test as per DVSA guidelines.