DS Driving School West

Fantastic experience: Awesome instructor very Chetty hype and chill!! Very good at singing songs to help you remember what you learn!

Negative experience: I share the other comments about scheduling challenges. You must be on exactly when the schedule opens to have a fighting chance. Overall so so experience with school, but today turned so so to just ugh! I had a rather disappointing interaction this evening with DJ (owner and instructor from my understanding) in the parking lot when testing with my daughter for her test in 2 days at 8:00 PM. I didn’t know it was DJ until I got out of the car to ask for patience - what a disappointment. I recognized him as my daughter took her last behind the wheel with him. DJ shows up to test with his daughter and shortly after they arrived I see a hand fly out of passenger side in frustration. Confused if directed at us, we proceeded parallel parking, the car approaches and we move to do 90 backup parking. Shortly after moving to that station the car is back and honked at us, then followed from station to station very closely which made my daughter very nervous and unfocused. I get out of the car to ask for some patience and state we’d like to try each thing a time or two and can swap. He replies “it’s a circle, go in a circle” and I realize it’s the owner (DJ) at that time. I shared my disappointment in him rudely rushing us at ever station and proceeded to leave. There are no signs about a circle, we’ve been there before with others and had no issues and other families seemed to want to try something more than once as well. It doesn’t make sense to me to finally master something than go do something else without trying it immediately after mastering it. I understand if it’s busy, but it was just our two cars on a Monday evening. I might suggest you DS that you include this in some instructions for using the parking lot cones if it’s that serious. While your family won’t experience this exact situation, it is a character reference for me and would have caused me pause. Everyone learns different and rushing and showing aggression seemed uncalled for.

Negative experience: at this point I have to give a lower rating because it is almost impossible to schedule behind the wheel hours. You have to get your slots the first day of the month at 8am on line and they fill up incredibly fast! My son had his drivers ed in-class portion in July 2023 and he has only had 1 behind the wheel session since. It is March 5, 2024. It is incredibly frustrating!

Negative experience: so much issue with appointment for behind the wheels and bad communication. Won't recommend this company

Negative experience: TL;DR horrendous issues with scheduling, knowingly use unreliable cars that break down, poor customer service, when you can't schedule in time - because scheduling is near impossible - they charge you $150. Classroom instruction and sign up went well (taking my money they're good at). Everything else has been abysmal. Trying to get signed up for behind the wheel lessons has proven nearly impossible like so many other reviews have said. You only get a couple of hours once a month and then slots are filled until next month. When you can't get lessons because they're near impossible, they charge you $150 MORE dollars on top of the $400 I already paid. It hasn't been 13 months but the website was still trying to charge me when attempting to take over a cancelation. The slot was of course filled by the time I got everything figured out. Finally my daughter gets 1 BTW that they offered to us "on the backend". The car breaks down. They never made it out of the parking lot. Somehow this still counts as one hour done but she didn't really learn anything. I understand cars break down, but the instructor then says "it usually only does this in the winter". So they know this early 2000s Malibu is unreliable but they continue to use it for lessons anyway. When calling to get this figured out they can't reschedule us only the instructor can (despite the office making the original appointment so I don't feel that's accurate) I have no way to reach her

Negative experience: Impossible to book a time when the schedule is posted on irregular days and is filled within hours of posting.

Negative experience: As Matt mentioned, all behind the wheel sessions are booked within a day of posting.

Negative experience: Impossible to schedule behind the wheel sessions. Completely archaic system. Don't take on a large number of customers if you can't properly serve them all.

Positive experience: My daughter had her driving test today at Mankato and she failed as she did not performed the center lane left turn correctly; I wished this was instructed to her during the behind the wheel practice.

Fantastic experience: My twin sons enrolled with DS and we couldn’t have been more happy with the training. The instructors are knowledgeable and friendly and they have two convenient locations in Chaska and EP for behind the wheel. The online scheduling keeps the progress on task and they really work to prepare you to pass the behind the wheel test.

Fantastic experience: Today completed our time with DS Driving School as our last kiddo finished up his final Behind the Wheel! Can't say enough great things about this place! Even through COVID, it was as smooth as could be. A special shout-out to Ms O'Dell who truly was amazing with our youngest; he needed a little confidence boost and he left there today feeling great about his upcoming driver's test! Thank you guys for teaching and taking care of our kiddos!

Fantastic experience: I cannot say enough about DS Driving School and especially about Nate Cardozo. He went ABOVE and BEYOND for us and my daughter was incredibly comfortable driving with him (and he really helped build her confidence with made such a huge difference in her driving). HIGHLY RECOMMEND thanks specifically to Mr. Cardozo!

Negative experience: Why post it phone number if nobody listen to messages and call people back

Fantastic experience: They did a excellent job helping my son to understand the laws of the road.

Fantastic experience: This is an unforgettable experience that no one else can deliver but dj himself. Dj is a phenomenal teacher that no other driving teacher can compare. He’s ability to teach this class is like no other while he makes class as fun as ever. The best way to describe djs class is poetry in drivers ed. It’s a truly beautiful experience. Dj also has an extensive knowledge of the road. Dj will teach all about the road, no one can compare at all. Dj makes the class fun by singing, doing famous impressions, and jokes that will make u laugh for years to come. Thank u Dj, for making drivers ed an unforgettable experience.

Fantastic experience: Dj made a usually boring class very fun. I was kinda hyped about going to class with how fun it was. But even after all that fun I learned a ton of stuff. Just don’t watch the super gross car crash movie.

Fantastic experience: DJ is the best drivers ed teacher in the world! I learned a lot and he made it a good time.

Positive experience: Eh it was ok. I learned what to do but I thought it would be more fun than it was.

Fantastic experience: The teacher was really funny and taught us a lot.

Fantastic experience: DJ is the best driving instructor that may have ever lived! Highly recommended! Made drivers ed actually fun!

Fantastic experience: DJ and his team was very helpful and made the whole learning experience engaging and fun. I feel confident in taking my test now.

Fantastic experience: DJ IS AWSOME NATE HAS SOME BOOLIN STORIES DJ LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE BRAD PITT. HAS A SOOTHING VOICE

Fantastic experience: Dj was absolutely great he was a great teacher and made learning fun. This was a amazing experience and one I will never forget. Dj looks a lot like brad out and Nate was absolutely awesome.

Fantastic experience: Great class. Teachers/educators were very patient and helpful. They helped us pass, and gave us very useful information. Great experience.

Fantastic experience: Teachers are fantastic and really really helpful!

Fantastic experience: Had a really fun experience here I learned a lot here and had a great experience ! This was really the best choice

Fantastic experience: This was a very good experience and all the driving inturucters were nice. plus DJ looks like brad pitt and he’s a goat

Fantastic experience: Ds Driving school was alright as in the time but the teachers and the owner are all very nice. They help you pass the class and make sure you are more than ready for the permit test.

Fantastic experience: Great, DJ is funny and nice, the breaks are fun

Fantastic experience: I like that they found a way to teach us all of the information and keep us interested. While they taught they would tell us jokes to keep us interested and so we don’t doze off in the middle of class. But they also teach us all the information really well.

Fantastic experience: very fun, classes went by quick and the teachers are great

Fantastic experience: I thought it was gonna be boring but it turned out to be a great experience where I learned everything I need to be a successful driver in today’s world.

Fantastic experience: My Experience in this classroom was great, it's not boring the Instructior DJ is the funniest one while teaching you at the same time. My time here ended to soon

Fantastic experience: the instructors made the class bearable and taught me the things that i needed to learn in a fun way.

Fantastic experience: Great teachers, efficient teaching. 10/10 would recommend.

Positive experience: Nice guy. Teaches well and fast locks it in your brain.

Fantastic experience: djs a great teacher, really funny, and made the hours really enjoyable

Fantastic experience: As a student I thought the information was described perfectly. I now feel more ready for my permit test. And I owe it to do DS driving school. I would highly recommend them.

Fantastic experience: great environment and teachers! I highly recommend to kids looking for a good driver’s ed school.

Fantastic experience: Very good class! Teacher was AMAZING!

Fantastic experience: It was a comfortable learning environment. I really enjoyed the class and DJ made sure it was still fun even if we were learning basic stuff. Defiantly would recommend this class and teacher to other people.

Fantastic experience: Highly recommend doing this class!! It was easy and really fast. I also had a lot of fun

Fantastic experience: I booled and I got too see someone’s brain get sawed into

Positive experience: It was good and very informative, but they did show a lot of videos about accidents. One or two of these would be good, but after a while they get time wasting. But otherwise it was good.

Fantastic experience: IT WAS A BLAST!!! The teacher is now one of the funniest people I know. And I am now confident in taking my drivers test. The teachers really care.If you want a fun and educational way to learn driving go here!

Fantastic experience: DJ made learning about driving fun and easy. The videos were entertaining and educational. I would definitely recommend DS West to others.

Fantastic experience: A really good teacher, very informational class.

Fantastic experience: The teacher is nice and funny.

Fantastic experience: Prepared me really well for driving, teachers were great and kept it entertaining.

Fantastic experience: Loved the class, DJ was great and taught us everything we need to know to pass! It’s was fun And not boring!

Fantastic experience: It really helped me prepare for the road I loved it alot

Fantastic experience: My teacher was DJ Wilker and unlike many drivers ed classes, even the most boring subjects became a blast with his halarious sense of humor. He never failed to keep the class alive.

Positive experience: Learned a lot about driving. The problem is the teacher can be loud and easily irritated.

Fantastic experience: DS Driving School did a great job of telling us all of the important information for our permit tests. They taught using a variety of reading, videos, and worksheets to help us learn the material. Their flexiblility with times and locations were really helpful when I was trying to fit drivers ed into my schedule.

Positive experience: The teachers were pretty good and I feel prepared to take the permet test because we took a lot of practice tests and worksheets.

Fantastic experience: The class was very informational and I feel like I learned everything I needed to. They prepped us for the test very well. I was in the Waconia location and they were very accommodating by letting us go to Chaska when we couldn't make it to the class.

Negative experience: laurie the instructor was great, she taught well and was super nice. the instructor in chaska was not very good and made too many jokes and did not cover any of the information just told us to highlight stuff and moved on. the class was very long and i wish it was spread out across more days and the class was shorter.

Fantastic experience: I had a very good experience with this driving class. I learnt everything I needed to know for the permit test. I am glad that the class only took two weeks so I can get it in with my busy schedule.

Fantastic experience: Staff are nice and help us in anyway they can and it helps me so much thank you guys

Fantastic experience: It was VERY informative, fun, an eye opening! I love it!

Fantastic experience: Great experience at DS driving school, the teachers were very helpful in engaging us with information. Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: The teachers are great and better than anywhere else

Fantastic experience: great driving school, wide range of topics, teachers really care!

Positive experience: The teachers did an excellent job providing us with information that we need to know in order to get our permits! They were energetic and friendly and they made learning how to drive a pleasant experience. My only wish would be that DJ arrives on time to classes instead of being late (he was late 3 or 4 times for our classes) and if he is asking the students to be quiet while people are taking tests then I would ask that he would step out to take phone calls instead of loudly taking them during the time when students were taking tests.

Positive experience: I really enjoyed D.J and his class I believe I learned the best way I possibly could, and have learned several skills throughout his program. I would highly recommend D.S driving school to anyone.

Fantastic experience: Highly recommend! Teachers keep it interesting and are all very nice. Loved it!

Fantastic experience: DS west was a great learning experience. DJ is very very funny and makes the class less boring.

Positive experience: The class was very informational and the teachers do a great job at teaching every subject!

Negative experience: the behind the wheel instructor decided not to do freeway driving the day my daughter was supposed to so she was never given that portion of behind the wheel. DS driving school recommend that their students take road test at Chaska, do not take your child to Chaska for their road test. They will fail twice so chaska makes the $20.00 fee for the 3rd test. They failed my daughter twice for being too cautious. Read the Google reviews for Chaska DVD and exam center. Go elsewhere for the road test. Save your sanity and money.

Positive experience: You wanna learn to drive, come here. If at the same time you want to be bored for 3hours a day, 5 days a week than this is fantastic. Aside from boredom, DJ is great and you will learn to drive.

Fantastic experience: I learned a lot at ds driving school west.

Positive experience: It was a driving school and the people were good at teaching the class. But DJ did not keep his word after making bets with the class

Fantastic experience: Class isnt very strict and has a high pass rate. Teachers are fun and help make it interesting.

Positive experience: Very smart and provides great information. I passed my test first T because he's a good teacher.

Positive experience: The class was boring but I learned a lot from the teacher.

Fantastic experience: The information was easy to understand and was explained clearly. Really recommend this class for people that have no idea of the rules of the road.

Fantastic experience: Highly recommend, the teachers keep it interesting. I recommend going to the later classes because they have way less people. Overall it is really good

Fantastic experience: Highly Recommend. Very well taught, got good information out of it.

Fantastic experience: It got really boring but I passed

Fantastic experience: I really enjoyed taking drivers ed here because not only was I learning but It was also fun. I loved all of the instructors and I would highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: Great teachers and make it fun and not stressful

Fantastic experience: great experience, easy to work with DJ. definitely will recommend to up and coming drivers!

Fantastic experience: DJ is a great teacher and he made it funny and exciting.

Fantastic experience: It was great until dj on the last day decided to be a crab apple

Fantastic experience: I thought that the teachers here were very nice, funny, and laid back! It was a great environment and I learned everything I needed to get my permit. :)

Fantastic experience: Fun. Went by fast. Learned a lot. The teachers were nice and easy to work with

Fantastic experience: Really good experience, if there was a 6 star I would have given it too . Educated ivy league teacher too , great impression especially all state !

Fantastic experience: It was rely good. The teachers were very good. I mostly enjoyed coming here every night. I think it is also a good location

Fantastic experience: This was a great experience for me. I’ve learned so much in so little time, I think I am better educated on driving and rules of the road. The staff are friendly and take their jobs seriously.

Positive experience: I liked only a couple instructers, jake was my favorite.

Fantastic experience: The class is super fun and DJ is super funny. You learn a lot in the class and the videos also teach you a lot.

Fantastic experience: DS driving school west is the most AMAZING driving school in the mid-west. I’ve had a GREAT experience here. DJ looks like Zac Efron and should be a male model. DJ Wilkers impressions are top notch. If you want to laugh a lot you should go to DS west.

Fantastic experience: It was fun and helpful to have DJ as our instructor. I had fun in the most of the days. Keep it up.

Fantastic experience: I had a great time learning and the staff was very kind and helpful.

Fantastic experience: I have learned a lot from DJ at DS Driving School West the past two weeks. He is the best teacher out there.

Fantastic experience: DJ made learning about driving easy and fun

Fantastic experience: It was an amazing experience everything was explained well. It was all well taught, support, I missed one class and I still got my blue slip on time, I really recommend it to all teans trying to get there permit, 3 hours is not that bad, he gives breaks it’s all, time flies fast thx DJ now I can make my parents proud for once in my life, I’ve now got my permit I got it 1 day after I finished classes with DJ and Jack

Fantastic experience: I had fun and learned a lot from DJ’s teaching and all of my class mates. ( All State Are You In Good Hands? )

Fantastic experience: The experience I gained from DS driving school was great and very helpful with the teacher clearly explaining the drivers manual. The staff are very funny and nice.

Fantastic experience: DS West prepared me very well for the permit test. The teachers taught well and I feel sufficiently prepared to begin my driving experience.