Driving Lessons Shaftesbury
732 Driving Test Passes in 2025
More than 1500 Customer Reviews
You Can Ask Us Questions Via WhatsApp
Welcome to our driving school
Shaftesbury Dorset is a fantastic place to live and work with its rich local history and quaint sleepy streets and of course the famous Gold Hill, but at the same time for many it can be a bit remote and a challenge to access the nearby towns and villages and this is where learning to drive in Shaftesbury can really help you access the outside world with ease.
Not far from the A303 being able to drive will allow you to gain easy access to the nearby city of Salisbury or the towns of Wincanton or Yeovil and even further afield via the many adjoining routes such the A30 to Sherbourne or A350 to Dorchester, Weymouth or Poole for some decent shopping.
Our local team of driving instructors based here in Shaftesbury are able to help you become a safe, considerate and confident driver; we are here to help you gain your much desired freedom and independence.
It doesn't matter what your previous driving experience is or even if you are a complete beginner, you're driving instructor will treat you as an individual and tailor your driving lessons to help you progress.

If this will be your first driving lessons then please relax, you're driving instructor will pick you up from the arranged meeting point and take you to a quiet suitable area to start your driving lesson, this could be somewhere like Heathfields Way / Sweetmans Road or Lower Blandford Road by the high school. You're driving instructor might even take you to the Peacemarsh area in nearby Gillingham, but dont worry, if you're driving instructor has to drive you to Gillingham from Shaftesbury for your first driving lessons then they will use this time to talk to you about driving a car and to demonstrate the correct procedure. No time will be wasted.
If you have had driving lessons before then again please don't worry, all of our driving lessons start off with Q&A, we want to know your history or back ground of driving experience or knowledge, and don't worry as this isn't a test, we just want to know where you are at with your driving lessons so we know where to start off with your driving lessons. We don't want to waste time unnecessarily trying to teach you what you already know.
If your still having doubts about starting your driving lessons with us and feel a little nervous, please take a look at our great collection of over 600 customer reviews left for our team of driving instructors here at 2nd2None Driving School.

Become a local driving instructor in Shaftesbury with 2nd2None Driving School
Are you planning a career change? Start the journey to becoming an approved driving instructor in Shaftesbury today.
Ask our team for more details
Automatic Driving Lesson
Take the stress out of learning to driving with our Automatic lessons.
Intensive Driving Courses
Pass your driving test in just one week with our Pass Fast Courses.
Towing Lessons
Trailer Towing Lessons - Caravans - Horsebox, whatever your needs.
PRE-17 Driving Lessons
Learn to drive from just 10 years of age at our off road venue.
Driving Instructor Training
Train to be a driving instructor with our local team.
Manual Driving Lesson
Learn to drive in a manual cars with our local instructors

Manual Driving Lessons Shaftesbury
Taking your driving lessons in a manual car is still very much the most popular option, passing your driving test in a manual car will give you the most options with your driving licence and allow you to drive all Category B vehicles including automatic cars.
With our local manual driving lessons our driving instructors will be happy to give you regular weekly driving lessons at a time that suites your own availability, this can be the same time each week or you can mix it up a little and have your driving lessons at different times of the day. This can prove usful especially as your own driving progresses as it will allow you to experience many different traffic conditions that often change throughout the day.
Our recent passes in Shaftesbury

Keane Neill
lorraine was a very helpful and easy going instructor who easily adapts and will teach you the way you will learn best you will have a great chat with her and enjoy her lessons and if your planning on going yeovil she is in-fact a yeovil gally so she knows the ins and outs better than any.
second2none driving has been a massive help and very organised holly was able to rebook and find a new test faster than i ever could have granted was trying to kill me off with a 6.45 leave but i passed in the end so i am grateful
i would recommend this company if you are wanting to get through the test fast and not overly priced and won’t make you overpay for lessons you don’t need.
once again book with lorraine she is a legend

Maddie Vincent
My experience with Lorraine at 2nd2none has been amazing , from the first lesson I had with her she was supportive , kind and understanding , her warm personality made the experience so easy. Lorraine goes above and beyond for her students she tailors every lesson to that individual and makes them feel at ease whilst leaning . Her patience and and encouragement had a massive role in my success boosting my confidence and being a perfectionist. Lorraine's dedication to her students is exceptional , whilst squeezing me in whenever she could even giving up her own weekends to make sure I felt ready and confident . I couldn’t recommend her more thank you so much for everything and ( Holly and Zoe for finding me loads of test )

Hebe Baker
I can’t thank Lorraine enough, she truly is an incredible instructor. Throughout my journey I have faced struggles with anxiety and confidence but Lorraine was brilliant in helping me with building my confidence with her guidance, kindness and of course humour. She tailored each and every lesson to what I needed to practice on, not only that but to also build my confidence.
2nd2none was extremely incredible with finding me a test even though my theory was 2 weeks from expiring. They are very flexible with lessons and are great value for money, every lesson I had I felt I had improved, learnt more and had a great time.
I am forever grateful that Lorraine was my instructor and I will miss her very much

Abbie Farris
I couldn’t recommend 2nd 2 none enough they have been amazing! Learning with glenn has been great, throughout my journey glenn has never given up and had a good level of patience with me i’ve really enjoyed my lessons and Holly has been amazing at finding tests which i’m really thankful for. Thank you all!

Maddison Main
I can highly recommend anyone to 2ND2NONE they have been highly organised with booking lessons, taking payments and always putting in 100% to my driving. A special thanks to Glenn for his time, flexibility and patience with teaching me to drive. I have thoroughly enjoyed my experience with you

Emily Harris
I passed my test first time with Glenn and he was an amazing instructor!!! He teaches in a way that works for you and was very patient and supportive even when I was really anxious every time I drove. He's really boosted my confidence with driving so I totally recommend driving with him. Thank you so much!!!

Kat Walker
I haven’t driven for 5 years but having James as my instructor has really helped me considering I’ve been a nervous wreck most of my lessons! I can’t fault james at all he’s been amazing with everything and helping me calm down when I’m panicking or worrying. Thank you so much James you’ve been great.

Felicity Fairclough
Had a really positive experience with 2nd2None driving school, James helped me through nerves and got me on track really quickly, i passed first time with 2 minor faults due to the brilliant teaching they provide, highly recommend!

Bryony Sherlock
I passed today first time with two minors in Dorchester after an intensive driving course with James. I’ve suffered with extreme driving anxiety and found that James put me at complete ease. He focused on the things I was struggling with and anything I felt less sure of. He explained things so that I could easily understand. He was very reassuring and helped build my confidence up tremendously. We even took a trip on the motorway after I expressed my concerns about them. I couldn’t thank James enough for all he’s done, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without him.

Rhianna Cowdy
I had my very first lesson ever on June 20th, and I passed today on October 21st! Pete was a fantastic teacher, he was calm, friendly and relatable with his teaching. He adjusted his teaching style to fit the person, and always open to try new ways to make it work. He was extremely generous with his schedule, working early mornings and late nights, and I never felt I was being rushed towards my test, or being held in lessons for too long. Getting my license was a difficult thing for me to deal with but Pete did everything on his end to reduce those worries

Adriana Cereda
Peter was beyond extraordinary on each one of our lessons. His teaching methods worked perfectly with me and he always made sure of it. Thanks to him I was able to achieve something I postponed doing for a long period of time and not just that, he gave me all the confidence I needed in order to make sure I am completely capable of driving. I will forever be grateful for all his help and can't recommend him enough. Best driving instructor EVER

Tarrick Hastings
I can’t thank Pete enough for all the help and support he gave me throughout my driving journey. Even though I didn’t pass my first test (totally my own fault!), Pete never made me feel like a failure. Instead, he helped me get straight back behind the wheel, boosted my confidence, and got me booked in for another test as soon as possible.
As someone with ADHD, learning new things can be a challenge — especially something as complex as driving. But Pete always explained things in a way that made sense to me. He was patient, calm, and knew how to adapt his teaching style to fit how I learn best.
If you’re looking for an instructor who actually cares and takes the time to understand you, I highly recommend Pete. Genuinely one of the best out there

Ellen Mutton
My instructor Kevin Adams was amazing, he taught me everything I needed to know in a way that worked for me and always had the patience to go over anything I needed more practice on. He really helped me build my confidence and he always believed in me !!😆 I would 100% recommend. Thank you again Kevin and also everyone at 2nd2none for being so helpful.

Poppy Rowell
I had a great experience with this driving school and couldn’t be happier with my lessons. From the start, they made me feel comfortable, confident, and genuinely happy behind the wheel.
My instructor, Kevin, was excellent. He was patient, calm, and very encouraging, which made a huge difference in my confidence. He explained everything clearly and always made sure I felt ready before moving on to the next step. Even when I was nervous, Kevin stayed supportive and helped me believe in myself.
Thanks to this driving school and especially Kevin, I now feel confident and capable as a driver. I would highly recommend them and Kevin to anyone looking for a driving instructor

Phaedra Dart
Kevin proved a fantastic instructor for my daughter who passed first time. She felt very comfortable with him and enjoyed her lessons. He built her confidence right from the start and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to others.

Ethan Hunt
Wayne was the perfect driving instructor, professional and always a good laugh. I can’t think of another person I would’ve wanted teaching me, a genuine person with a good sense of humour. His teaching is of the highest of standards, pointing out and going through any little issues that I had throughout my lessons and refining them prior to my test. I can confidently recommend Wayne to anyone looking for a driving instructor and can without a doubt state that you will not find a better one…. Many thanks Wayne!!!!!

Valentine Foote
I first came to Wayne a day after my 17th birthday, with basic driving ability and a small amount of road knowledge. We chatted for a while about my prior experiences and then decided - under a watchful eye - that I would be fine with taking the wheel and embarking on our first session. For the majority of our first lesson I was left to drive the way I saw fit, with Wayne frequently offering crucial advice and guidance, as well as reassurance that I was doing the right thing.
His 10+ years as a driving instructor meant that I could be confident that I was in safe hands; and as a new driver, having an instructor who is as knowledgeable as himself put me massively at ease when confronted with new and difficult situations. Each week I was met with a smile and compliments about my previous drive, helping to put me at easy before I’d even switched on the ignition.
I found that having someone who is not only passionate about their job, but is also a kind and friendly person helped me massively during my whole learning experience. I ended up passing my test 1st go, with 10 hours of lessons with Wayne

Jude Greyner
Having started with their under-17 lessons, and then moving onto full lessons with Wayne Laurence, 2nd2NONE have been excellent throughout the whole process. Wayne is an excellent instructor, being very supportive and encouraging, but also very clear on where I needed to improve, getting me to pass within 5 months of lessons. I would highly recommend Wayne as an instructor for anyone in or around Yeovil, and 2nd2NONE as a whole.

Seth Collis
My instructor was Sarah Brown and she was incredibly supportive throughout my learning, we worked at a good pace for me and explored loads of Dorset and Somerset and when we decided to go to test getting a test was really easy through the company. It was a great experience so thank you!

Ryan Coombes
Thank you so much to Sarah and everyone at 2nd2none for all there help and patience. I had a great experience with them, I highly recommend 2nd2none!

Joshua Parkman
Passed today thanks to my lovely Instructor Sarah. It’s been a joy to learn with her over these past few months and she is a top tier instructor. Every lesson felt like I was learning something new and was structured well whilst at the same time always cementing the basics and core skills needed to drive. I feel very lucky to have had an instructor like her and would recommend her and 2nd to none to anyone learning to drive.

Automatic Driving Lessons Shaftesbury
So why take your driving lessons in an automatic car?
Learn to drive in and automatic car is becoming more and more popular and not just from people that have struggled learning to drive in a manual car.
Learning in an automatic is so much simpler, it takes away a lot of the stress and greatly speeds up most peoples progress when learning to drive. There is no clutch of fidgety gear stick to worry about, you dont have to worry about over revving that noisy engine as the car changes to the appropriate gear for you as you speed up or slow down.

Ebony Farrant
I can’t recommend John Park enough. Thanks to his patience, support, and excellent teaching, I passed my driving test first time.
As someone with dyslexia, I was quite nervous about learning to drive, but John was incredibly understanding and adapted his teaching style to suit me. He explained everything clearly, never made me feel pressured, and always made sure I fully understood before moving on.
His calm, professional, and encouraging approach really helped build my confidence, and I always felt comfortable during lessons. I’m very grateful for his support and would highly recommend John Park to anyone looking for a fantastic driving instructor

Neil Bridgeman
John is such a talented instructor. He is incredibly easy to communicate with and provides very clear and safe instruction during classes. I passed my test first time after only a few months of lessons, which goes to show how good John is as an instructor. Anyone considering learning to drive should ask for John. Very thrilled with the outcome and impressed by the overall professionalism of 2nd 2 None also.

Matilda Stone
I honestly couldn’t have asked for a better driving instructor. From day one, John was incredibly patient, friendly and supportive, which made learning to drive feel calm and stress-free. Every lesson helped me build real confidence behind the wheel.
Mistakes were treated as learning opportunities, not failures, which made a huge difference to my confidence.
Thanks to John’s guidance, I felt fully prepared and confident for my driving test. If you’re looking for an instructor who genuinely cares about your success and makes learning to drive an enjoyable experience, I couldn’t recommend John more highly

Brian Holloway
2nd2NONE Driving School is, in my opinion, just the best outfit in the land. My instructor, Dan, was patient, friendly and most helpful, all the while being humourous and understanding of my age (76). I would highly recommend them.

Ben Ashfield
Dan was my instructor, had a fantastic time learning with him. Would thoroughly recommend using this company to anyone thinking about it!

Vijai Pathmanathan
Thank you so much, Dan, and everyone at 2nd2None Driving School.
I truly appreciate Dan’s humbleness, kindness, and endless patience throughout my learning journey. Your support and guidance made a huge difference, and I couldn’t have achieved this without you.
Thank you once again! 🚗🎉

Intensive Driving Courses Shaftesbury
Pass your driving test fast with one of our intensive driving courses here in Shaftesbury.
- Courses to suit your needs, from 18 hours to 48 hours
- The option of manual and automatic cars
- Your driving test booked and guaranteed for the final day of your course
- Free re-test just in case you don't pass first time
- Pay a deposit when you book and pay the remaining balance later on
- Courses run Mon-Fri between 9-4
- A great local reputation with great results from our courses
- Over 1000 customer reviews from local passes
Intensive Course Reviews

Leland Hoskins
I can't recommend Stuart enough! He was vital in helping me pass my driving test. Not only is he incredibly professional you can have a great laugh which makes you very calmer and less stressful, but he also makes the lessons enjoyable. If you're looking for a driving instructor who will prepare you for the test Stuart is the one to go for.
One thing I will miss is all the stories, and most definitely all the lunchtime food we had 😂Thanks again for all your help

Scott Taylor
Stu is a brilliant instructor. Whilst teaching you everything properly, he is amazing at adapting to you and making sure that you understand and improve to get you ready for the test. I felt very nervous about being in a car but by the end of the intensive I felt very comfortable and sure that I have the right skills and competency to be on the road.
Highly recommend!! Thank you Stu for everything

Matthew Hall
Thought the bald headed legend Stuart was awesome. Was so understanding and informative in and around what I needed to do. Took me on tour around the southwest, covered well over 400+ miles and loved every minute of it. Stuart loves a chin wag and it’s bloody awesome, so entertaining and the car was a treat to learn in. Would highly recommend to anyone that’s nervous about the first time or more advanced

Oscar Harper
Fantastic, couldn't have asked for better instructor in Daniel. Put my son at ease and helped him overcome his nerves. It's a long time to be stuck together but he made it easy. Lovely car a pleasure to drive, and passed first time! Highly recommend!

Holly Burchett
Thank you to the 2nd2none team! My test was arranged so quickly by the Shaftesbury office! I did an intensive course with Dan and he was great, he doesn’t just teach you to pass a test but to be able to drive for years Thank you very much to all the team!

Thomas Stevens
Both my children passed their tests first time. My daughter with Lorraine following a block booking over several months and my son with Dan following an intensive course in Poole. There are lots of different options to suit you. The office team worked hard to secure a test asap for both children and the statistics speak for themselves, they get great results every week. They have been the perfect company for both my children to learn to drive with.

Winnie Dawes
I would recommend Lorraine to anyone who wants to become a safe and confident driver. I passed first time due to Lorraine’s thorough and clear teaching. I had a great intensive driving course with a Lorraine who was patient, chill and fun!

Alfie Miles
Great company! Did an intensive course with my instructor James and passed first time. Extremely patient, helpful, and knowledgeable and helped me so much. Would recommend

Eevie Mottram
I had a 4 day intensive driving course with this company, and I genuinely cannot fault them at all. Booking it was unbelievably easy, they were super helpful with how everything happened. The instructor as well, his name was Glenn, was amazing too! He was super helpful and I don’t think I would’ve passed my test without him. Amazing driving school!

PRE-17's Driving Lessons Shaftesbury (10+)
Learn to drive from just 10 years of age with our Pre-17 driving lessons at the Motcombe Show Ground near Shaftesbury and The Bath and West Showground near Shepton Mallet.
Driving days run once a month and will give you the perfect head start on your driving lessons.
By starting to drive at a younger age the children that attend have a more positive attitude to driving and the potential dangers they face while driving on the road. The earlier in age this education starts the better and safer driver they will often be when they come to driving at 17.
Minimum height requirement of 4ft feet 8 inches.
All driving sessions must be booked in advance.





C1 Driver Training Shaftesbury
James did an amazing job teaching me for my C1 over a couple of days. I managed to pass first time! After James support, I would 100% recommend 2nd2none for anyone!


I’ve just passed my C1 driving license with 2nd2none. James was a great instructor, the course is well organised. Would recommend 2nd2none to anyone looking to do their C1 license.
Become A Driving Instructor in Shaftesbury
Have you got what it takes to be a driving instructor?
- Local driving instructor training
- Train around your current commitments
- All training will be done on a one to one basis
- Flexible payment option
- Option to earn while you learn
- Guaranteed position here with our driving school once qualified
Give our team a call today to discus becoming a driving instructor here in Shaftesbury.




Our head office is based in Shaftesbury, please feel free to call in to our office anytime between
Monday to Friday 9:30am - 17:30pm to speak to us about your driving lessons.
Our office can be found at
Unit 40a Wincombe Business Park
Shaftesbury
SP7 8FS
01747 440500
How many lessons will I need?
The number of driving lessons you will need will vary depending on many things, including distance to the driving test centre, how often you have a driving lesson, and of course, your own ability to learn and master your driving skills. The DVSA recommends an average of 45 hours with a driving instructor and around 20 hours of private practice. This, of course, can vary, as no two pupils are ever the same, but your driving instructor will do their best to make sure you become a safe and confident driver.
Is one hour of driving lessons enough?
In our experience, a 1-hour driving lesson isn't enough for a learner driver to master the skills being taught, especially at the beginning of their driving lesson journey. Your location can also be a big factor, as the more rural you are, the more time it can take to reach suitable training areas and driving test centers.
A 1-hour driving lesson each week could mean you are learning to drive for over 18 months, and we would normally recommend a 2-hour driving lesson each week, which will reduce your overall learning time down to around 6–8 months.
Can I pass my driving test in Two weeks?
With our intensive driving courses, it is possible for you to pass your driving test in around 6-7 days. Because you are learning intensively, you will normally require fewer hours than you would with weekly driving lessons.
My friend passed in 10 hours
Learning the skills required to not only be a safe and considerate driver but also to reach the driving test standard is extremely unlikely to be achieved with just 10 hours of driving experience.
Sometimes our friends like to impress us by boasting of their own achievements. If a friend did indeed pass their driving test after just 10 hours of driving lessons, what other driving experience had they had previously before taking the driving lessons?
How many hours of driving lessons should I take each week?
The more hours you have, the quicker you will reach the driving test standard and the quicker you will be driving safely and independently. We would recommend a minimum of 2 hours of driving a week, ideally done in one driving lesson. If you did 2 hours of driving lessons twice a week, so 4 hours a week, you would of course progress quicker and save money on the cost of learning to drive.
How will an intensive driving course save me money?
The best thing about intensive driving courses is the time they save you when learning to drive. Because you are taking driving lessons each day for 1-2 weeks, you will remember the skills being taught, and you will actually get more time to practice them than you would with weekly driving lessons. The average amount of time needed for someone learning to drive with weekly driving lessons is 45 hours with an instructor and another 20 hours of private practice. With an intensive driving course, we often find a 36- or 42-hour course is more than enough for a complete beginner to become a safe driver because the training is compacted into 1-2 weeks with a driving test on the final day of your course.
Which is better, Manual or Automatic driving lessons?
It's a personal choice. Manual driving lessons will give you a greater choice of cars that you can drive once you have passed your driving test, but at the same time, manual driving lessons can be a challenge for some as you have to master the clutch and gear selection while also doing everything else. This, of course, can mean learning to drive takes longer and can cost you more.
Automatic lessons can take away a lot of the stress of learning to drive because the car changes gear for you and you only have two pedals, basically a go and stop pedal. Driving can be so much easier and more relaxing. The downside to learning to drive an automatic is that you are somewhat restricted in what you can drive once you pass your driving test; there are not currently as many secondhand automatic cars on the market, and therefore, for anything decent, the price for an automatic car can be higher, although this is likely to change in time as more and more new cars are only being sold as an automatic option, and that is only likely to increase with the arrival of more electric cars on the market.
