Drivers' Educational School, Inc. - Anchorage, Alaska

Zach Roland

I'm very disappointed with this place. My distinct impression is that they're only out to make as much money as possible. Took test twice, first time the issue was parallel parking. No comment about anything else. Second time there were issues with signal usage and mirror issues and other items that were not mentioned on first test. Would not recommend to anyone, had better testers at 16 years old

Wish Villanueva

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW!! PART 2/2

I went into the driver's seat and Tanya went into the passenger seat, she explained all of the car's functions and how to use them like the headlights, the park reverse etc, and how to adjust the mirrors. she then let me know that I'd be driving all the way to Girdwood and through the highway. At this point, I was terrified and extremely nervous, I was shivering. Tanya saw this, and she looked at me, kindly told me it was going to be okay, that I can do this, and that she will be here to help. She assured me that she can take control of the steering wheel, she can brake or accelerate since she has pedals on the passenger side as well, and if I ever need I can find somewhere safe, and breathe.

If it wasn't for this, I would of never got through it. She was so reassuring, I trusted her and she helped calm my nerves a bunch. I went on the road, she gave me constant advice and help, she told me where to go and what to do. By the time I knew it, I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY. She helped me get onto the highway, and merge, and I was really driving!!! She made sure that I was comfortable, and kept reassuring me on how good I'm doing, and that I'm really driving! I was so happy. I ended up driving ALL the way to Girdwood, and then back. I entered and exited the highway all the way from and to Girdwood on my FIRST EVER DAY ON THE ROAD. I drove back to my house. I hugged Tanya and thanked her, and I was READY for the next three days. During the next three, I went over techniques like Parallel Parking, Roundabouts, and driving in general. During the next days I drove to Flat top, point woranzof, and cincaid. It was scary at first but felt so much easier and I confidently drove there! On the fourth and last day, Tanya let me know I'd be practicing parallel parking one last time, and that I'd take the road test (driver's test, 2 attempts included in the program). She let me know she believed in me. I was scared, I was nervous, but I passed. After three days of driving, my first three days of driving, I passed my road test. I got my drivers license on the very same day from the DMV. I passed with 96/100 and the entire road test was a comfortable and nice experience. My instructor was Jacob for the road test. I thanked Tanya, and I will never forget her. I was about to genuinely cry when leaving the student car and walking to the DMV to get my license. This school was able to take ME, someone with on driving experience on the road, to getting my license on the FOURTH day of driving. I thank my Instructor Tanya for being so kind and genuine, I loved being your student driver. And thank you to Jacob for the comfortable and fun class. Thank you to the employees at the school who were KIND AND HELPFUL TO ME. Im so happy and proud to say now that I CAN DRIVE!!

If you want to learn to drive, and a comfortable experience that will leave you confident, happy, with kind people. PLEASE COME TO THIS SCHOOL. IM GENUINELY SO GRATEFUL FOR THEM!

Allison O'Leary

I took a J-1 visa holder here to take a road test. The visa holder had been in the United States less than 90 days, had a valid international license, and had proof of recently passing Alaska’s written knowledge test. The J-1 visa holder was therefore already a lawful driver in Alaska allowed to take a road test. They nonetheless claimed she needed a permit to take a road test, but then said she could test anyway, but it “could be flagged by the DMV” who could “void the test.” This is entirely inaccurate. Permits are not required for those over 18 who are currently lawful drivers. And if it were correct, then they shouldn’t have administered a test.

They were evidently aware of their wrongdoing, as rather than risk trouble with the DMV, they failed the poor J-1 visa holder for supposedly not getting the entire car within cones set up for parallel parking. This “failure” involved cones surrounding a half-plowed mess, and the J-1 visa holder, a non-native English speaker, didn’t understand what she was supposed to do, as the tester explained only in rushed English.

Everything about my interaction with this business wreaked of their ignorance and money-grubbing, served with a subtle side of bullying. I recommend looking elsewhere.

Jarule.Alaska L.

Proven to be 1 of the best! No need of simulation to learn how to drive. Attend the classroom instruction, and get behind the wheels! The instructor I had was awesome! She was thorough in making sure all the safety skills, road test routes, and traffic rules are covered!

Instructor made sure any surfaces you touch in the car are sanitized. So, no worries about cleanliness and sanitation as they are on top of that!

Danica and Jacob are the best I had during this “learn how to drive “ journey.

Thank you Driving Educational School. You’ve been part of my family’s driving journey; my sisters, relatives and friends have positive experience with you all! And we’ll continue to refer.

Wish Villanueva

PLEASE READ THIS REVIEW!! PART 1/2

Before I get heavy on the details of my experience taking the Student Drivers Learn To Drive Program, I want to first briefly summarize some information about myself. I am a twenty year old male and I have always been afraid of driving, especially because I know that one mistake can be devastating under bad circumstances. I had never touched a steering wheel until 19, and I had only drove 3 times in total beforehand. All three times were in parking lots, and I had never been on the road. This horrible driving anxiety that I had affected me in so many ways. It was always embarrassing to have to let other people know that at my age, I had no license, and no permit. (I had gotten my permit in June), but beforehand everyone would laugh or be confused as to why I didn't even have a permit. At the same time, working was limited for me, I could only work at places I could walk to, and that is exactly what I have been doing.

MY DETAILED EXPERIENCE OF THE "LEARN TO DRIVE PROGRAM".

8 HOUR CLASS:

The first thing that will be taken is the 8 hour defensive driving class. Within this class you will be learning information about driving, the car/vehicle itself, and how certain circumstances must be dealt with. Before going into the building I was scared that I would be one of the only people there. I don't know why, but I was also sure there wouldn't be a lot of people around my age. I was wrong. The room was absolutely filled and most of the people were around my age or younger. There were two older women, one of them having her daughter as a translator to be there. Our teacher for the day was JACOB. When I tell you that this man is AN AMAZING, ENGAGING, AND FUN person, I am not lying. He immediately had all of the classroom pay attention, and get ready for the LONG class. He had our groups of tables come up with names, or assign one ourselves. Most groups did not pick their own names, he assigned them haha. The class had a ONE HOUR lunch break. Jacob put on some music, and people were free to eat inside the classroom, many people doordashed as well. The class went by extremely fast and by the end of it you are given a certification paper of your Defense Driving Course today. This can get you a discount on car insurance. The class itself was long, however went by really fast, the people were funny, nice. and during lunch I had a blast while talking to other people who are like me, learning to drive. The class is so rememberable, I can recall the group names, The back group, blueys, pooh bear(that was my group lol), the nerds, american hand sanitizers, and da cherries.

4 DAYS OF DRIVING :

Once you are done with the class, you have four days of dedicated driving lessons with a one on one instructor in one of the provided cars from the school. One or two days before your lesson, you are supposed to get a call or text from your instructor to talk about your lesson. I had a minor problem here, my instructor never called or texted me, and when I called the school to ask why, they said they had my number with 307 instead of 907? I was confused since I remember putting 907 and I had a picture of it as well on my information paper you had to fill out in the beginning of the defensive driving class. None the less, they fixed my number, and were extremely kind about it.

The day finally came where my lessons were taking place. My lessons were scheduled at 10:30 am to 12:30 pm, I was terrified, I was excited, but most of all, I was NOT EXPECTING what would happen next. My instructor Tanya came out of the car, affirmed who I was, and kindly asked how I am. After that, I assumed I was going to be taken somewhere to learn the basics of driving. I tried going into the passenger seat, but Tanya laughed a little and let me know that I'm actually going to be driving! I genuinely thought she was joking until it was obvious she wasn't. Get this, I had no experience at all in driving beyond a parking lot. I had only drove 3 times, and I had extreme road anxiety.

(PLEASE FIND PART 2 HERE, MY REVIEW IS TOO LONG! )

Jayt N

ROBBERY they didn't explain nothing to my friends wife. She's no even from the states and didn't explain the rule or anything. $100 gone less than 30 sec. I would never recommend this place to no body unless you wanna get robbed. Stupid business needs to get shut down.

Sharon Savage

Rick answered questions, gave straight forward instructions, gave suggestions, and gave excellent feedback helping with road confidence. My daughter felt so much better about driving after this and has more confidence on the road.

Barnaby Jones

Super quick fingerprinting for work. In and out within minutes. Staff was helpful and patient.