Driving Lessons for Teens

Need inexpensive licensed instructor for daughter

May 2012

We have already taught our daughter to drive but need to fulfill the state requirement of 6 hours driving time with a licensed instructor in order for her to receive the license. We are looking for the CHEAPEST option. Any suggestions?

My son had a wonderful experience learning to drive with Carlos, as did an older friend who needed refresher courses before a driving test for a US license. Both learners were on the anxious, overly cautious side. Carlos picked up my son at our house with a fully equipped instruction car, was patient and confidence inspiring, and my son passed the driving test on his first attempt. He charges $70 per two hour session and can provide the official certification of instructional hours needed by the DMV. His phone number is 510 816 8034. satisfied customer

We had a good experience with Berkeley Driving School.

Driving school for teen daughter

July 2011

I want my teenage daughter to get a good drivers education and driving lessons. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good driving school and/or instructor? Thank you! Anxious Mom

My daughter did a wonderful course through Bill's Wild Parrot Defensive Driving School. I think they have changed their name, as I Googled them. I think they are now Bill's Defensive Driving School. It was started by a former CHP officer. The instructor really put my daughter at ease, and I'll use them again when the time comes for my son to learn. You can follow this link: http://www.billsdefensivedrivingschool.com/services-about-us.html Sarah

Neli Gancheva, of Driving Without Borders, taught both of my kids to drive. Neli is a good teacher and reasonably priced. Both of my kids passed the driving test on the first try, and both are careful drivers. Neli's phone is 925-370-7852. anon

My neighbor is a retired CHP officer and now runs Bay Area Driving School: http://www.bayareadriving.com For Oakland or Berkeley their number is (510) 430-8770. Request Henry or Barbara Ramirez. My son took the driver's training course from Henry, but I think they offer driver's education as well.

Another option for an online driver's education course: http://oaklandtech.com/staff/blog/2009/02/03/online-driver-education-for-ot-students I don't think you need to be a student at Oakland Tech to take it. teen driver mom

I just finished teaching our daughter to drive. We used Bay Area Driving School in Hayward for the required 3 hour behind the wheel professional driving school DMV requirement. They were fine for about $300 for 3 one hour lessons with free pickup and drop off at home/school. Much more important were the 50 hours plus of time I devoted to teaching her what I have learned during 45 years of driving. I spent a few hours in Golden Gate Fields parking lot teaching her the basics before her first pro lesson and getting her permit. The 50 hours (10 at night) I gave her were critical to her learning to be a safe driver. No class could ever teach her all I did. No matter how you go about teaching your child focus on doing those 50 hours of training yourself and make sure lots of time is at high speed on freeways. Keep a written log each time they drive and insist they do at least the 50 hours minimum. I saw a huge improvement each hour we logged! She and I dealt with several drunk drivers, all kinds of weather, an engine failure at 65 mph on the freeway twice, getting towed by AAA, when to know to pull off when falling asleep, dealing with aggressive drivers, how to change a flat tire, check air and oil, a collision-her fault when a soda spilled in a turn and she took her eyes off the road for a second, where to park safely, how to be aware of surroundings walking to and from car, and much more. With the license they no longer have you with them to protect them from the world so there is a lot more at stake than just operating a car and driving-like personal safety in parking lots. Your time with your child NOW is the most precious gift you can give to assure they will stay alive on the road. No class or teacher can compare at any price IMO. Each time I give her the keys I am relieved to know she takes with her all I have learned in 45 years of life and I don't have to wait up until she returns safely. I gave it my very best. rest assured

Teen driving safety programs

May 2011

We have two new drivers in our family and I'm looking for quality programs to supplement their behind-the-wheel driver's training time, which - combined with additional time with us - is the minimum necessary to qualify for a license. We heard that AAA had something of this sort on-line but I haven't been able to find it. We know that Bob Bondurante teaches a safety course in Sonoma, but don't know any of the particulars. I am really open to suggestion and - of course - just want my kids to be the best drivers they can be. New hands on the wheel

Hi, Here is a website that teaches teens how to drive under different weather conditions. I am going to sign up my 17 yr old for a class in the summer. His friends took it and loved it - they may do it again. http://alamedacountysheriff.org/_rtc2009/classes/evoc/evocDetail.php?CIVILIAN-EVOC-SAFETY-UPDATE-18 Linda

Stick shift driving training for 17 y.o. with license

Jan 2011

My son is a reliable driver, and has had the better part of a year's experience driving. He's 17 and got his license fairly recently but has had a lot of practice. He's inheriting my husband's manual transmission car, so I'm trying to teach him to drive a stick shift, but I think he'd benefit from a couple of professional lessons. I don't think Safestway does stick shift training any more - does anyone have an alternate recommendation? We live in Oakland. Happy he's driving now

Cities Driving School (based in downtown Oakland) is the only place we found that taught stick shift/ manual transmission driving. Both my teens did their driving training with them: reasonable rates, will come to your house, patient instructor (though heavily accented) who provides written notes for the teen to review after each lesson. citiesdrivingschool.net 510-472-7834 kids need to know stick

Nov 2006

Re: teen driver's trainer?
My daughter and her friend have both learned from Carlos at Marina Driving School, 5515 Foothill Blvd, Oakland, CA 94605. The cost was much less than other schools, I believe it was $30/hr. Carlos is supportive and calm, and even encourages the kids to practice their Spanish with him. I can recommend him highly. His car is a Toyota. 510-816-8034 (phone # updated Aug 2009)
Clara

Aug 2005

We hired SteveMoran of a CHP Driving School to teach our daughter to drive and I believe it was worth every extra penny.

The first lesson was along Grizzly Peak. The second lesson coursed through SF Chinatown and North Beach during a rainy rush hour at dusk and after dark. ''If you don't know where it's broke, you can't fix it,'' Steve said about his choice of route. The third lesson involved a trip across the Bay and over Mt. Tam, to Muir Woods; along very windy roads, as my daughter, according to Steve's analysis, was not looking out ahead far enough.

Steve had several well articulated routines and techniques to teach good driving habits, including a beeper to signal how often the student should be checking mirrors. He himself had plenty of extra mirrors with which to monitor what was going on, and he exhibited superb concentration on the matter at hand. He kept the lessons interesting and exciting to an adventuresome teen, and offered tips about safety, the appropriate uses of defensiveness and assertiveness behind the wheel, and what might disqualify the applicant on the licensing exam.

By the end of the course my daughter had a healthy respect for the power and potential dangers of the car. My husband or I went along for every lesson at our daughter's request. This made us better coaches though sometimes I found the experience nervewracking along the way. She passed her driving test and, except for the matter of a few parking tickets, is a good driver.

Mimi