The Wild Cost of Driving Lessons in 2025: Where It's Cheapest and Most Expensive to Learn in Australia

With the cost of living continuing to climb in 2025—milk, eggs, holidays and even breakfast cereal all rising double digits—it’s no surprise that learning to drive has become a lot more expensive too. New research from EzLicence has revealed that driving lesson costs are surging across every state, with the national average now sitting at $81.02 per hour.

But as with most things, your postcode can make a big difference. So where are the most affordable and most expensive places to book a driving lesson in Australia? Let’s break it down.

🚗 National Driving Lesson Cost Snapshot

• National average: $81.02/hr
• Most expensive state: South Australia – $113.30/hr (↑11%)
• Most affordable state: Tasmania – $76.17/hr
• Most expensive city: Adelaide – $112.93/hr
• Most affordable city: Bendigo – $74.79/hr

🗺️ City-by-City Breakdown

New South Wales

In Sydney, the average price is $77.81/hr, but there’s a huge gap between suburbs:

• Most affordable: Ellis Lane: $59.41 Eastern Creek: $62.36 (↓13.9%) Orchard Hills: $63.37 (↓18.9%)
• Ellis Lane: $59.41
• Eastern Creek: $62.36 (↓13.9%)
• Orchard Hills: $63.37 (↓18.9%)
• Most expensive: Point Piper: $97.75 (↑22.2%)
• Point Piper: $97.75 (↑22.2%)

Victoria

Melbourne averages vary by suburb:

• Cheapest suburbs: New Gisborne: $70 Woodstock: $71 Burnside: $71.63
• New Gisborne: $70
• Woodstock: $71
• Burnside: $71.63
• Most expensive suburbs: Flemington: $88.11 (↑10.6%) Croydon South: $87.54 (↑13.5%)
• Flemington: $88.11 (↑10.6%)
• Croydon South: $87.54 (↑13.5%)

Queensland

While the Gold Coast ranks among the highest at $80.97/hr, Brisbane has more variance:

• Most affordable: Flagstone: $66.94 (↓9.0%) Moggill: $70.87 (↓9.1%)
• Flagstone: $66.94 (↓9.0%)
• Moggill: $70.87 (↓9.1%)
• Most expensive: Sandstone Point: $91.05 Toorbul: $91 Bongaree: $90.64
• Sandstone Point: $91.05
• Toorbul: $91
• Bongaree: $90.64

Western Australia

In Perth, the average sits around $78.27/hr:

• Most affordable: O’Connor: $71 (↓8.4%) Welshpool: $71.72 (↓5.4%)
• O’Connor: $71 (↓8.4%)
• Welshpool: $71.72 (↓5.4%)
• Most expensive: Ashby: $85.47 (↑7.6%) Craigie: $84.79 West Leederville: $84.35
• Ashby: $85.47 (↑7.6%)
• Craigie: $84.79
• West Leederville: $84.35

South Australia

Adelaide takes the crown for highest lesson prices in the country:

• Cheaper options: Taperoo: $96.15 Somerton Park: $97.19
• Taperoo: $96.15
• Somerton Park: $97.19
• Most expensive suburbs: Stonyfell: $185.93 (↑40%) Urrbrae: $166.36 (↑18.8%) Rosslyn Park: $152.65 (↑52.7%)
• Stonyfell: $185.93 (↑40%)
• Urrbrae: $166.36 (↑18.8%)
• Rosslyn Park: $152.65 (↑52.7%)

Australian Capital Territory

Canberra is quickly catching up in cost:

• Most affordable: Rivett: $72.55 (↓11.7%) Reid: $72.88 Harrison: $73.55 (↓12.4%)
• Rivett: $72.55 (↓11.7%)
• Reid: $72.88
• Harrison: $73.55 (↓12.4%)
• Most expensive: Strathnairn: $94.69 Hawker: $93.08 Richardson: $92.37
• Strathnairn: $94.69
• Hawker: $93.08
• Richardson: $92.37

Tasmania

Still the most affordable state, Hobart offers excellent value:

• Least expensive suburbs: Lindisfarne: $70 Glenorchy: $75
• Lindisfarne: $70
• Glenorchy: $75
• Most expensive suburbs: Mornington: $81 Geilston Bay: $80.17
• Mornington: $81
• Geilston Bay: $80.17

🧠 What’s Driving the Price Hike?

Experts say it’s a combination of:

• Higher insurance and vehicle maintenance costs for instructors
• Increased demand for lessons, particularly in suburban areas
• Rising fuel prices and overheads
• Shortage of qualified instructors in some regions

💡 How to Save on Driving Lessons in 2025

1. Compare suburbs – Prices can vary by $30+ per hour just a few postcodes away.
2. Book packages – Many schools offer bundle discounts.
3. Avoid peak hours – Lessons outside peak times may be cheaper.
4. Start in cheaper suburbs – If you're mobile, take lessons in more affordable areas.
5. Practice with family – Reduce the number of professional hours needed.

🚦Final Thoughts

Whether you're in Adelaide or Ellis Lane, the cost of learning to drive in 2025 has never been higher. But with a little planning, it's still possible to find affordable driving lessons in your city—and save hundreds in the process.

Learning to drive is an investment in your independence. Just like car insurance, registration and servicing, it pays to shop around.

Ensure you search the Tynan stock through our link here.

Credit: CarSales.com.au