Rated 4.8 from 23 Google reviews
Driving lessons in Prestatyn, Rhyl and across Denbighshire
Manual and automatic tuition with four local instructors, door to door pickup, and a driving school that has been teaching this coastline since 2005.
- 4.8★
- from 23 Google reviews
- 2005
- teaching in Denbighshire since
- 11
- towns and villages covered
- 4
- instructors, manual and automatic
Our manual and automatic fleet, all dual control fitted.
In short
SMS Driving School provides manual and automatic driving lessons across Rhyl, Prestatyn, Abergele, Rhuddlan, Dyserth, Towyn, Gronant, Meliden, St Asaph, Kinmel Bay and Talacre. Manual tuition is £35 per hour, currently reduced from £40, with a ten hour block at £340. Automatic tuition is £45 per hour. All lessons are one to one, in dual control cars, with door to door pickup included. The school is based in Dyserth, has been running since 2005, and is rated 4.8 from 23 Google reviews. Pupils take their practical test at Rhyl. To book, call or text 07966 934232.
Our main focus
Manual driving lessons from £35 per hour
A manual licence lets you drive anything. Pass in an automatic and you are limited to automatics for life, which narrows your choice of car and can cost you more when you come to buy.
- One to one tuition with Simon Vicary or Gwyn Davies
- Ten hour block currently £340, working out at £34 per hour
- Dual control cars with clutch, gears and hill start practice built in
- Door to door pickup across all 11 towns and villages we cover
What we teach
Everything from your first lesson to Pass Plus
Whether you are starting from nothing, coming back to driving after years away, or want motorway confidence after passing, there is a route here for you.
Manual driving lessons
One to one manual tuition from £35 per hour with Simon or Gwyn. A full manual licence lets you drive both manual and automatic cars.
Find out moreAutomatic driving lessons
Automatic tuition at £45 per hour with Jenny or Andrea. Simpler to learn in, and a popular route for nervous or returning drivers.
Find out moreIntensive courses
A fast and focused route to test for learners who want to pass in weeks rather than months. Manual or automatic.
Find out moreRefresher lessons
For full licence holders who have been off the road, moved to a new area, or want their confidence back before a longer drive.
Find out moreMotorway lessons
Practical experience on the A55 and the wider motorway network, whether you are newly qualified or have never driven at speed.
Find out morePass Plus
The six module post test course covering town, all weather, night, rural, dual carriageway and motorway driving. May reduce your insurance.
Find out moreWho you will learn with
Four local instructors, manual and automatic
You will have the same instructor throughout, not whoever happens to be free. Our reviews name these people individually, which tells you most of what you need to know.
Simon Vicary
Manual tuition
Simon founded SMS Driving School in 2005 and still teaches manual tuition across Prestatyn, Rhyl and the surrounding villages. He is an ex-emergency service trained driver with over 20 years of driving experience behind him.
Gwyn Davies
Manual tuition
Gwyn teaches manual tuition across the full SMS coverage area, from Talacre and Gronant in the east through to Abergele in the west. He has availability for new pupils now.
Jenny Williams
Automatic tuition
Jenny teaches automatic tuition and is regularly named in first time pass results at Rhyl test centre.
Andrea Jones
Automatic tuition
Andrea teaches automatic tuition and is the instructor most frequently named by pupils in recent Google reviews, particularly for building confidence with nervous learners.
Prices
How much are driving lessons in Prestatyn and Rhyl?
No hidden charges and no booking fees. Pickup and drop off are included in every price below.
Manual
Manual lesson
£35 per hour
£40 per hour currently reduced
One to one manual tuition with Simon or Gwyn, picked up and dropped off at your door. Currently reduced from £40 per hour.
Enquire about thisManual
Manual 10 hour block
£340 for 10 hours
Works out at £34 per hour
Ten hours of manual tuition booked as a block, saving £10 against the hourly rate. A short term offer while we fill the diary.
Enquire about thisAutomatic
Automatic lesson
£45 per hour
One to one automatic tuition with Jenny or Andrea. There is no block booking discount on automatic tuition at the moment.
Enquire about thisThese are our current rates. Manual tuition is temporarily reduced from £40 to £35 per hour while we fill our diaries, and we expect to return to £40 during 2026. Call or message to confirm the rate before you book.
4.8 stars from 23 Google reviews
What our pupils say
I've just passed my test first time from being taught by Simon. I travelled by train to be taught by him and it has clearly shown to be worth it. He is very patient, calm and uses constructive criticism which made me comfortable to make mistakes to learn. An amazing instructor and would 100% recommend him to anyone.
Highly recommended. I passed my driving test first time with 3 minors because of her kindness, attentiveness, skills, positive can do attitude, truly a breath of fresh air learning with you, you gave me so much confidence!
I did my lessons with Paul in a manual car. Absolutely couldn't recommend enough brilliant tutor and helped me pass 1st time with only 4 minor faults. Brilliant driving school and brilliant tutor.
Recent highlights from Google
- "Excellent all round service and I would highly recommend him."
- "Very friendly and helpful instructors, especially Simon."
- "I had a fantastic experience learning with Andrea at SMS driving school."
Where we teach
11 towns and villages across Denbighshire
We are based in Dyserth and work within roughly 7 to 8 miles of the village. Every area below has its own page with local detail.
Common questions
Driving lessons in Denbighshire: your questions answered
How much are driving lessons in Prestatyn and Rhyl?
SMS Driving School charges £35 per hour for manual driving lessons, currently reduced from £40, and £45 per hour for automatic lessons. A block of ten manual hours is £340. Prices include door to door pickup across all 11 areas we cover.
Which areas do you cover?
SMS Driving School covers Rhyl, Prestatyn, Abergele, Rhuddlan, Dyserth, Towyn, Gronant, Meliden, St Asaph, Kinmel Bay and Talacre. We are based in Dyserth and work within roughly 7 to 8 miles of the village.
Do you teach manual or automatic?
Both. Simon Vicary and Gwyn Davies teach manual tuition, and Jenny Williams and Andrea Jones teach automatic tuition. All four instructors work across our full coverage area.
Should I learn in a manual or an automatic car?
A manual licence lets you drive both manual and automatic cars, while an automatic licence only lets you drive automatics. Automatics are usually quicker to learn in because there is no clutch or gear changing to think about. Manual gives you more choice of car later and is currently cheaper per hour with us.
How many driving lessons will I need?
DVSA figures suggest most learners need around 45 hours of professional tuition plus around 22 hours of private practice. That is an average rather than a target and it varies a lot between individuals. We will give you an honest view of where you are as your lessons progress.
Where will I take my driving test?
Our pupils take their practical test at Rhyl test centre. Lessons in the run up to a test normally include regular time on the roads around the centre so that nothing on the day is unfamiliar.
Ready to get started?
Call or message SMS Driving School and we will find you a slot that fits around work, school or college.
Mon to Fri 8am to 5pm, Sat 9am to 12pm. Based in Dyserth, Rhyl, Denbighshire.