Driving lesson requirements in the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia and Germany
Each region publishes its own lesson figure for learner drivers. Some are mandatory, some are averages. This guide lists the figures the lesson cost estimator on this site uses.
Updated
Each region on this site publishes its own lesson figure for learner drivers. Some figures are mandatory minimums. Others are published averages or optional credits. This guide lists the figures the lesson cost estimator uses. It does not list every rule.
United Kingdom
There is no required minimum of professional lessons. GOV.UK, citing the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, gives an average of 45 hours of lessons plus 22 hours of private practice.
Ireland
Learner drivers must complete 12 mandatory one-hour Essential Driver Training sessions with an approved driving instructor. The Road Safety Authority publishes the requirement. Ask the school whether it offers these sessions.
Germany
A class B licence needs at least 12 special drives, called Sonderfahrten, plus the required theory classes. Each special drive is 45 minutes, so 12 drives come to 9 hours. The Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung sets the rule.
United States
This guide covers California only. In California, a driver under 18 needs 6 hours of professional driver training and 50 hours of supervised practice, 10 of them at night. The California DMV publishes the figures. For any other state, check your state's licensing authority.
Canada
This guide covers Ontario only. A ministry-approved Beginner Driver Education course has 40 hours in total. That is 20 hours of theory, 10 hours in the car and 10 hours of flexible instruction. For any other province, ask the school or the province.
Australia
This guide covers New South Wales only. No lessons are required. A driver under 25 must log 120 hours of supervised driving, with 20 of them at night. Up to 10 hours with a professional instructor count triple in the log book. Transport for NSW publishes the rule. For any other state, check its licensing authority.
How to use these figures
Start with the listing for the school you are considering. The country and city are on every page. Then use the lesson cost estimator on this site. It shows the lesson-hours figure for six regions and the rule behind each one. The estimator multiplies that figure by the price you type. It is a planning tool, not a legal reference. It does not include test fees or practice time.
Rules change. This guide describes the figures as of October 2026. Confirm the current requirements with a qualified driving instructor or your licensing authority before you plan your lessons.