East London • Driving schools • 2025/2026

Driving School Comparison in East London 2025/2026: Complete Guide to the Best Schools

Comparing London Driving Academy, RED Driving School, AA Driving School, BSM and Drive247 so you can pick the right driving school in East London for 2025/2026.

Learning to drive has become more expensive and test waiting times are longer, so choosing the right driving school first time matters. This guide gives you a clear, no-nonsense comparison of the most popular names in East London – with a focus on local coverage, lesson types, flexibility and overall value.

How this East London driving school comparison works

Instead of just listing every name in a directory, this guide focuses on five schools most learners in East London actually come across:

• London Driving Academy (LDA) – local East London specialist
• RED Driving School – large national chain
• AA Driving School – national brand with strong reputation
• BSM – long-established nationwide driving school
• Drive247 London – London-wide school covering East London areas

We look at:

• How local they really are to East London
• Lesson options (automatic, manual, intensive, refresher, student-focused)
• Price band (budget, mid-range, premium – not exact hourly rates)
• Booking experience, flexibility and support
• Who each school suits best in 2025/2026

Quick read: who is each school best for?

• London Driving Academy: Learners who want a local East London specialist with postcode-specific knowledge and flexible, instructor-led support.
• RED Driving School: Learners who like big-brand backing and national offers, and don’t mind app or call-centre booking.
• AA Driving School: Learners who value brand trust and structure over hunting for the very cheapest rate.
• BSM: Learners who want a well-established national school with solid systems and online booking.
• Drive247 London: Learners who want a London-focused school with strong emphasis on intensive courses and app-based support.

Driving schools in East London 2025/2026 – comparison table

This high-level table shows how the five schools stack up for East London specifically. Price band is relative: £ (budget), ££ (mid-range), £££ (premium).

Driving school	Type	Price band (East London)	Transmission	Coverage in East London	Best for	Watch out for
London Driving AcademyLocal pick	Local East London specialist	££ local, flexible	Automatic & manual	Focused on East & surrounding postcodes (E, IG, RM, EN, CM, SS)	Postcode-based teaching, calm instructors, tailored support	No nationwide brand; purely focused on London & surrounding areas
RED Driving School	Large national chain	££ with promos	Automatic & manual (area-dependent)	Good coverage in East & East Central London	New learners who like national offers and structured packages	Offer/fee structure can be confusing; instructor quality varies by area
AA Driving School	National brand	£££ in many areas	Automatic & manual (area-dependent)	Coverage through AA-affiliated instructors in East London	People who want a big, trusted brand and clear process	Often not the cheapest; can feel less personal than local specialists
BSM	Established national school	££ to £££	Automatic & manual	Operates across London with instructors in East London	Learners who like app booking and consistent national standards	Pricing and availability vary a lot by postcode
Drive247 London	London-wide school	££ (often strong block deals)	Automatic & manual	Covers multiple London regions, including East London	Learners keen on intensive/semi-intensive courses and app support	Experience can depend heavily on the individual instructor allocated

London Driving Academy vs national chains in East London

On paper, all five schools will get you from first lesson to test day. The difference is how they feel to deal with, how local the teaching really is, and how much control you have over the experience.

1. Local focus and postcode knowledge

London Driving Academy is built around East London areas and postcodes. Instructors regularly teach in places like Canning Town, Stratford, Bow, Hackney, Leyton, Ilford, Barking, Dagenham, Romford, Walthamstow and nearby suburbs. That means:

• You spend less time “touring London” and more time on roads you will actually drive on after you pass.
• Mock tests are based on realistic test-centre style routes in East London.
• Instructors know which junctions, roundabouts and one-way systems catch learners out.

National brands like RED, AA and BSM also operate in East London, but the focus is broader: London-wide or UK-wide. You’re booking into a system first, then matched to an instructor who may or may not live right by your postcode.

2. Lesson types and flexibility

Across all five schools, you can usually expect:

• One-to-one lessons with a DVSA-approved instructor
• Manual and automatic options (depending on area)
• Intensive or semi-intensive options, especially with Drive247 and some national chains

Where London Driving Academy stands out is the flexibility around your actual life – evening and weekend slots for East London workers and students, plus:

• Beginner lessons in quieter residential roads near you
• Refresher lessons for full licence holders who haven’t driven for a while
• Post-test motorway and dual carriageway coaching when needed

3. Price band and value for money

The overall cost of learning to drive keeps rising, and most East London learners will end up paying for dozens of hours of tuition plus test fees. The goal isn’t just “cheapest per hour” – it’s getting test-ready efficiently with an instructor who suits you.

In simple terms:

• London Driving Academy: mid-range local pricing with flexibility, block bookings and area-specific planning.
• RED / BSM: often advertise attractive “from” prices and package offers, but London supplements and extra fees can push the real average higher.
• AA Driving School: usually towards the upper end of the market, trading on brand trust and structured support.
• Drive247 London: positions itself as competitive within London, often pushing block booking and intensive-course value.

For many East London learners, a mid-range local specialist like London Driving Academy offers the best balance between hourly rate, flexibility and progress speed.

4. Booking process and support

With big national brands, booking is typically done via online platforms, apps or call centres. That’s convenient, but it can feel a bit rigid if you want to discuss your exact area, anxiety level, or past experience in detail.

London Driving Academy keeps the process simple and personal:

• You share your postcode, availability and whether you want automatic or manual.
• They match you with a suitable local instructor who knows your area.
• You can adjust lesson times directly with your instructor once you’re matched.

Feature-by-feature comparison table

Here’s a more detailed comparison across lesson options, support and who each driving school suits in 2025/2026.

Feature	London Driving Academy	RED Driving School	AA Driving School	BSM	Drive247 London
Core focus	East London and nearby postcodes; local routes and test areas	Nationwide learners; London included	Nationwide driving school with strong UK brand	Nationwide driving school with long history	London and surrounding areas, including East London
Automatic & manual	Yes – both, depending on postcode	Yes – both, area-dependent	Yes – both, area-dependent	Yes – both, area-dependent	Yes – both, area-dependent
Lesson types	Beginner, nervous learners, refresher, motorway, mock test, semi-intensive	Standard weekly lessons, packages, some intensive options	Standard weekly lessons, structured programmes	Standard lessons, some tailored options	Weekly, semi-intensive and intensive courses
Local test-route knowledge	Very strong focus on East London test routes	Good, but varies by instructor	Good, but depends on which AA instructor you’re matched with	Good, with variation between instructors	Strong where instructors are long-established in the area
Scheduling flexibility	High – evenings/weekends, tailored around East London lifestyles	Good – based on instructor availability in your area	Good – structured but can be less flexible	Good – managed via online booking	High – especially for block and intensive courses
Booking experience	Direct contact, simple, human and local-first	Online booking and call centre systems	Online journey and structured booking process	Online/app-based booking and management	Online enquiry plus office support and app access
Who it suits best	East London learners who want patient, area-focused teaching and steady progress	Learners attracted by national promotions and deals	Those who prioritise big-brand backing and structure	Learners who like established systems and an app-based feel	People who want to pass fast via intensive or semi-intensive courses
Main trade-off	Not a “big national name” – but very strong locally	Experience varies by instructor; offers can be complex	Often higher overall cost versus local schools	Postcode availability and pricing can fluctuate	Quality depends a lot on your assigned instructor

So, what is the best driving school in East London for 2025/2026?

“Best” depends on the learner. If your main priority is a familiar brand name on the car, you’ll probably lean towards AA, RED or BSM. If you want a fast-track intensive course with lots of hours in a short time, Drive247 London can be a strong option.

If you want:

• A local team that actually specialises in East London
• Instructors who know your exact postcode and test routes
• Flexible lessons that fit around work, college or family schedules
• A calm, supportive approach for nervous or first-time learners

then London Driving Academy is a very strong “best overall” choice for East London learners in 2025/2026.

Ready to compare with your own eyes?

Tell London Driving Academy your postcode, transmission choice and availability, and get matched with a local East London instructor.

Book Your East London Lesson

FAQs – Best driving schools in East London 2025/2026

Which is the best driving school in East London for 2025/2026?

There’s no single “official” winner, but for most learners who want postcode-specific teaching, flexible lesson times and calm, local instructors, London Driving Academy is one of the strongest choices. National brands like RED, AA, BSM and Drive247 also operate in East London, but they tend to be broader in focus and less tailored to individual postcodes.

Is it better to learn with a local East London school or a national chain?

If you care about local test routes, quieter starting areas and a more personal relationship with your instructor, a local East London school like London Driving Academy is usually a better fit. If you prefer a big-brand name, app-based management and national promotions, a chain such as RED, AA, BSM or Drive247 can work well.

Do all of these driving schools offer automatic lessons in East London?

London Driving Academy, RED, AA, BSM and Drive247 all offer both automatic and manual lessons in many areas, including East London. However, availability depends on your exact postcode and instructor numbers, so it is always worth checking when you enquire.

Which driving school is best for intensive or semi-intensive courses?

Drive247 London has a strong focus on intensive and semi-intensive driving courses, designed to pack a lot of hours into a short period. London Driving Academy also offers structured, faster-paced lesson plans in East London, while national chains may provide intensives depending on area and instructor availability.

How do I pick the right East London driving instructor for me?

Start with your postcode, your schedule and your confidence level. Look for a school that teaches regularly in your area, offers automatic or manual as you prefer, and can give you a calm, patient instructor. Then ask about lesson structure, typical time to test, and how they handle nervous learners. London Driving Academy, for example, actively matches learners to suitable instructors based on area and needs.

Are driving lessons in East London more expensive than elsewhere?

In general, yes: big city areas like East London tend to sit at the higher end of the national price range. That’s why choosing the right school matters – a local provider who helps you progress efficiently can save you money overall, even if the hourly rate isn’t the absolute cheapest.