HOW TO HIRE · VEHICLES & TRANSPORT · CHECKED OCTOBER 2026
How to hire a driving instructor in Ireland
The checks, the questions and the paperwork.
A driving instructor in Ireland costs €35–€55 per lesson, typically around €40. Here is how to check that in a minute, what to ask before you book, and what you must be handed when the job is done.
- Search and compare — no account needed
- Nearest to you first
- One score from Google, Trustpilot and Locufy reviews
THE 60-SECOND VERSION
Hiring a driving instructor in five steps
- Are you on the RSA register of Approved Driving Instructors, and what is your number?A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — post-Test Refresher Courses — some instructors provide refresher courses for newly qualified drivers or those returning after a long break.
- How does instructor's experience change the price?The cheapest quote is rarely the most experienced one. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does location change the price?Travel time to your area is part of what you are quoted. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- How does type of vehicle used change the price?Servicing and replacing equipment is built into every quote. — ask before the quote rather than after.
- What is not included?Driving lessons typically do not include additional fees for the driving test itself, insurance for the vehicle, or any costs associated with theory test materials — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a driving instructor job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Check before you book
RSA Register of Approved Driving Instructors
To teach driving for payment in Ireland you must be on the RSA's ADI register and hold a valid permit. The register is searchable by first name, surname, company name or ADI number, and by licence category and location — so the number on the card either resolves to the person in front of you or it does not. Restricted to Approved Driving Instructor (ADI): giving driving instruction for payment.
Search the RSA register of Approved Driving Instructors for the name or the registration number before you agree a price. rsa.ie →
Insurance
Expect dual-control vehicle insurance covering a learner driver — ask to see that the policy names driving instruction, not just the car. From a company, ask for the insurer, the limit and the VAT number, and ask who actually attends: the team that turns up may be employed, subcontracted or both, and only one of those is supervised by the firm you are paying.
Ask to see the current certificate of insurance — the insurer's name, the limit and the date it runs to.
Trader or private seller
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2022 a trader must tell you they are a trader, and your consumer rights — work carried out with reasonable skill and care, and a cooling-off period on a contract agreed in your home or online — apply to traders and not to private sellers. On Locufy the trader status is shown on the profile.
Look for the trader badge on the Locufy profile, and ask anyone else for it in writing before you agree a price.
Identity
Providers on Locufy prove who they are with photo ID before they can be booked; the ID-checked badge shows who has done it, and the document itself is deleted once the check is made. For a driving instructor coming into your home it is the cheapest check there is.
Look for the ID-checked badge on the card, before you message anyone.
VAT
No VAT: this service is exempt, so there is none to add and none to reclaim. A quote that adds it is wrong. A trader under the €42,500 registration threshold does not charge it; one over it must, and must show it separately.
Ask whether the figure you were given includes it, and for the VAT number if they are registered — Revenue publishes the rate for this service. revenue.ie →
A good answer: A number you can look up yourself before you agree a price — post-Test Refresher Courses — some instructors provide refresher courses for newly qualified drivers or those returning after a long break.
A good answer: The cheapest quote is rarely the most experienced one. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Travel time to your area is part of what you are quoted. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Servicing and replacing equipment is built into every quote. — ask before the quote rather than after.
A good answer: Driving lessons typically do not include additional fees for the driving test itself, insurance for the vehicle, or any costs associated with theory test materials — get the exclusions named in the quote, because a driving instructor job is priced on what was agreed and not on what was assumed.
A good answer: Expect dual-control vehicle insurance covering a learner driver — ask to see that the policy names driving instruction, not just the car — defensive Driving Techniques — many instructors teach defensive driving techniques, which help learners anticipate potential hazards and respond safely.
A good answer: A written scope and a price before the driving instructor starts, and an itemised invoice after — theory Test Preparation — driving instructors often provide guidance on the theory test, helping students understand road signs, rules, and hazard perception.
Getting the quote right
- Instructor's experience — the cheapest quote is rarely the most experienced one.
- Location — travel time to your area is part of what you are quoted.
- Type of vehicle used — servicing and replacing equipment is built into every quote.
- Lesson length — the hours add up faster than people expect.
- In writing before anyone starts — a message on Locufy counts
- What is NOT included, named
- Who actually attends, and whether they are employed or subcontracted
- The VAT number, and whether it checks out on the Revenue register
Walk away if
- They are not on the RSA register of Approved Driving Instructors, or the number does not resolve to the name on the quote
- They will not talk about it: instructor's experience — the cheapest quote is rarely the most experienced one
- They will not talk about it: location — travel time to your area is part of what you are quoted
- They will not talk about it: type of vehicle used — servicing and replacing equipment is built into every quote
- A price for the driving instructor before anyone has asked the size, the access or the condition of what they are working on
- Cash only, or a large deposit before anything at all has started
What a driving instructor costs: €35–€55 per lesson
The figures are for the job, per lesson, and a quote for your own is the only number that binds anyone. Beginner driving lessons and Refresher courses each carry their own band. Driving Instructor price guide →
Guide prices compiled by the Locufy team from published Irish and UK provider price lists and 2026/27 cost guides. Updated 2026.
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR? NOW FIND ONE
Driving instructors near you, with the badges that matter shown
ID checked, trader status and one score from every review — on the card, before you message anyone. Nearest first. No account needed to look.
Or post the job free and let them come to you.
- Look firstInstructor's experience — the cheapest quote is rarely the most experienced one — that is what the driving instructor is judging on the first visit, and a price given without it is a guess.
- Agree what is being doneLocation — travel time to your area is part of what you are quoted — put in writing before anyone starts, because it is the document you both read back at the end.
- The work itselfType of vehicle used — servicing and replacing equipment is built into every quote — and anything found on the day that was not in that is priced before it is started.
- Check it togetherLesson length — the hours add up faster than people expect — walked against the written scope rather than against the feeling of it, while the driving instructor is still there.
- What you are handedThe itemised invoice and any guarantee on the workmanship and the parts, instructors should be fully qualified and hold a valid driving instructor's licence.
- Theory Test Preparation
- Driving instructors often provide guidance on the theory test, helping students understand road signs, rules, and hazard perception.
- Defensive Driving Techniques
- Many instructors teach defensive driving techniques, which help learners anticipate potential hazards and respond safely.
- Post-Test Refresher Courses
- Some instructors provide refresher courses for newly qualified drivers or those returning after a long break.
- Beginner Driving Lessons
- These lessons are designed for those who have little to no driving experience, focusing on the basics of vehicle operation and road safety.
- Refresher Courses
- Ideal for individuals who have not driven in a while or want to boost their confidence before returning to the road.
- Intensive Driving Courses
- These courses condense driving lessons into a shorter timeframe, ideal for those needing to pass their test quickly.
AFTER
When the job is done
Hiring a driving instructor: questions people ask
The cost of driving lessons can vary based on the instructor's experience, the location, and the type of vehicle used. Additional services, such as theory test preparation or specialised instruction, may also affect pricing.
A typical driving lesson lasts between 1 to 2 hours, depending on the learner's preference and the instructor's schedule. Longer lessons can provide more comprehensive training but may also be more tiring for beginners.
For most learners, a general driving instructor is sufficient. However, if you have specific needs, such as a disability or require advanced techniques, seeking a qualified specialist can enhance the learning experience.
Same-day bookings may be available, but they depend on the instructor's schedule and demand. It's advisable to book in advance to secure your preferred time.
Yes, many instructors offer the option to book multiple lessons in advance, which can often lead to discounts. This approach helps in maintaining a consistent learning schedule.
Driving lessons typically do not include additional fees for the driving test itself, insurance for the vehicle, or any costs associated with theory test materials. It's important to clarify what is covered before starting lessons.
MORE GUIDES
More hiring guides in vehicles & transport
Driving instructors near you
Sources — checked October 2026
- RSA — find an Approved Driving Instructor
- RSA — Approved Driving Instructor (ADI)
- RSA — ADI compliance and renewals
- Consumer Rights Act 2022
- Revenue — PRIVATE TUITION (CHILDREN and EDUCATION) — Exempt
- Revenue — current VAT rates (effective 1 January 2026)
- Revenue — VAT thresholds: €42,500 for a person supplying services only