Learning to Drive in The Hebrides

The national average driving lessons required to pass the practical driving test is 47 hours with a driving instructor and an additional 22 hours of private practice with a family or friend are recommended.

The Hebrides’ Driving Test pass rate compared to other cities across the UK is much higher than the national average sitting at 71.3%.

The test centres in the Hebrides are Stornoway which has a pass rate of 57.5%, Gairloch with 75.0%, Ullapool with 88.2% and Isle of Skye, Portree with 64.5%.

The nearest additional driving test centres for the Hebrides are in Benbecula Island with 75.9%, and Kyle of Lochalsh which has a much lower pass rate with just 46.4%

The Hebrides’ Practical Driving Test Centres

• Benbecula Island, (The Hebrides), Balivanich Airport, Benbecula Island HS7 5LA
• Gairloch, (The Hebrides), Mihol Road, Gairloch IV21 2BX
• Isle of Skye, Broadford, (The Hebrides), Broadford Fire Station, Old School House, Broadford IV49 9AQ
• Isle of Skye, Portree, (The Hebrides), Portress GVTS, Industrial Estate, Home Farm Road, Usigarry Place, Portree IV51 9BD
• Kyle of Lochalsh, (The Hebrides), Kyle of Lochalsh Fire Station, Stoney Road, Kyle of Lochalsh IV40 8BP
• Lairg, (The Hebrides), Lairg Fire Station, Main Street, Lairg IV27 4DB
• Stornoway, (The Hebrides), Fishermans Mission, 1 Quay Street, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis HS1 2XX
• Ullapool, (The Hebrides), Ullapool Fire Station, Lady Smith Street, Ullapool IV26 2UW

The Hebrides’ Theory Test Centres

• Gairloch, (The Hebrides), Annex Room, Ground Floor, Gairloch Community Hall, Auchtercairn, Gairloch IV21 2BP
• Stornoway, (The Hebrides), Croft Suite, First Floor, 11 James Street, Stornoway HS1 2QN
• Tarbert, Isle of Harris, (The Hebrides), Ground Floor, Tarbery Community Centre, Pier Road, Tarbert, Isle of Harris HS3 3DG

Quick Links

• Book your driving test
• Book your Theory Test
• Change your driving test appointment
• Driving test: cars

The Hebrides – did you know?

1. The Hebridean islands are home to some of Britain’s first populations and may have been peopled as early as 8500-8250 BC. The 5000 year old stone circles of Callanish, on the Isle of Lewis, pre-date Stonehenge and prove the Outer Hebrides were settled at this time.
2. The Outer Hebrides Celtic roots run deep and can be clearly seen and heard today in the language as well as the arts and music created on these islands.
3. The Hebrides’ strategic location, attracted the attention of the Vikings who extended their influence from these islands down the western seaboard into Argyll and ultimately as far as Dublin.
4. Since the introduction of Christianity around 600AD, religion has been a cornerstone of life in the Western Isles. A number of historical religious sites in this area illustrate the history and heritage of Christianity in the Hebrides.
5. Faced with famine and widespread unemployment in the Hebrides, many have taken chances on departing ships for a new life overseas. Throughout the twentieth century periods of economic uncertainty have led to further waves of emigration from the Hebrides, after both World Wars and during the Great Depression of the 1930s.
6. Many of the Hebridean Island have Norse or Gaelic names, but the roots of several other islands names have pre-Celtic origins.
7. Stornoway is the capital of the Hebrides and found on the east coast of Lewis. It’s also the main transport hub with an airport, ferry terminal and bus services to other parts of the island.
8. The Hebrides are an area of great interest to archaeologists and have provided lots of evidence about what Scotland was like throughout history. Neolithic stone structures, medieval churches and even mummies have been found on the string of islands and many of the archaeological sites are open for exploring by the public.
9. The Butt of Lewis in the Hebrides has been recorded as being the UK’s windiest spot.