A-1 Defensive Driving School

Fantastic experience: Great details and eye opening information.

Fantastic experience: This class went by very fast and Graham made it enjoyable as well! I learned things I didn’t expect to and will definitely be driving safer after today. I also appreciate the cost of this class compared to others going for $100+. 5/5 for me :)

Fantastic experience: Helpful class, I think it helped me to get refocused on being a better and safer driver. time went by quickly because our instructor kept things moving along.

Fantastic experience: Just wrapped up a driving improvement class, and honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I expected. The instructor kept it chill, and I actually learned some useful stuff.

Fantastic experience: Very great teaching environment. Is definitely beneficial you and does not even feel like the class is 8 hours.

Fantastic experience: The teacher made the 8 hour session feel like a breeze! He was charismatic and told lots of stories. I was here on court order but I feel like everyone would benefit from this class. I quite liked it, 10/10 would absolutely recommend.

Fantastic experience: Actually enjoyable

Fantastic experience: Instructor very knowledgeable and fun to actually pay attention to.. I learned much more than I thought I would. Great job!!

Fantastic experience: Excellent class.I really enjoyed it and have fun.one of best class in charlotesville

Fantastic experience: Instructor makes class fun.

Fantastic experience: The teacher is amazing and friendly with people we enjoy the class he makes us comfortable and easy to learn, the class was good

Fantastic experience: The instructor was great and made an unfavorable experience the best it could possibly be. Just bring a cushion because the hotel chairs are hard as boards.

Fantastic experience: Great class Steve was awesome learned so much and the day went by quickly!

Fantastic experience: The teacher for this class is spectacular. Anybody who wants to take (or is obligated to take) a defensive driving course would be an idiot if they chose to take it elsewhere. Trust me, I know what I’m talking about and I would not be taking the time to write this extremely positive positive. Google review unless the experience was so above and beyond what I had expected that I felt Almost obligated to write this review. Go to this class! You will not regret your decision. the teacher is absolutely spectacular

Fantastic experience: Great class and instructor, if I ever had to do this over I would gladly take this course again

Fantastic experience: Informative class. Graham does a excellent job with keeping the class engaged while being thorough.

Fantastic experience: Great instructor fantastic class with

Fantastic experience: Class was good an learned a lot

Fantastic experience: The instructor was precise, patient & very knowledgeable. I learned a lot. I will be a safer driver with his class. Mary Larbre

Fantastic experience: This course has saved my clean driving record, and by extension, my life, as I live for the road. 10 out of 10 - would get a ticket in 5 years to have an excuse to come here again.

Fantastic experience: The instructor was very detailed and made the class interesting and not boring.Also learned new things.

Fantastic experience: The instructor was able to hold my attention on a subject I have zero interest in whatsoever. If you are ever in a situation where you have to take a class for your license, I could not recommend a better service.

Fantastic experience: Very good class, learn a lot of information that I didn’t know, instructor was super nice and understand. Hands down easily recommend this class

Fantastic experience: Informative and taught very well ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Fantastic experience: Graham was a great instructor!!!! If you need a driving improvement class book with them!!!

Fantastic experience: DIP courses are never fun but instructor is charismatic, full of great stories, and made the class the best it could be. Recommended!

Fantastic experience: I had a great experience doing this class! It definitely didn’t feel like 8 hours. I recommend to anyone who needs it!

Fantastic experience: Great class, very informative and the information was explained very well

Fantastic experience: Great teacher, money well spent.

Fantastic experience: Class was great !

Fantastic experience: Very informative, loved getting 2 instructors and just overall a good team & went by very fast but informative

Fantastic experience: Excellent class! Learnt a lot of useful information:)

Fantastic experience: Friendly, detailed, informative. Would definitely recommend.

Fantastic experience: Excellent experience. Class was well ran and the eight hours went by quickly!

Fantastic experience: Class didn't drag by. Quick and to the point. Friendly instructors. Make it very personable.

Fantastic experience: No matter how much you think you know, This class is an eye opener and I would recommend anyone who drives to take it. Regardless of whether it was an order from DMV or Court. You will learn a lot. Atleast I did. . . Thank you

Fantastic experience: very informative class!

Fantastic experience: One of the best classes I have been in, the time flew by. You won't feel like it's eight hours even though it is. The social environment is great too

Fantastic experience: Great course and love the two guys!! Very good highly recommend

Fantastic experience: They were great instructors and made class easy and fun!

Fantastic experience: Great learning environment, helpful information

Fantastic experience: Best class ever for a driving school

Fantastic experience: Amazing class. Thanks Steve

Fantastic experience: Great class learned a lot

Fantastic experience: Very friendly instructors, easy class.

Fantastic experience: cool dude easy class

Fantastic experience: Very nice people and good instructors. This my second time using them. I highly recommend them.

Fantastic experience: Steve and Graham made this a very informative and interactive class. The 8 hours flew by.

Positive experience: My son got a lot out of this class BUT after going to traffic court today (for a speeding ticket) this course was NOT accepted by Albemarle/Charlottesville courts. They require that you complete the class offered by the court...three 3-hour evening classes and must be attended by a parent. Save your $75 and wait to appear in court first. We thought getting it done ahead of time would work in my son's favor.

Fantastic experience: Great teacher and made the class very educational experience.

Fantastic experience: AWSOME instructor, stories for days, understanding and relatable. Mr. Smally and son will do whatever is needed to ensure u understand and pass the class.

Fantastic experience: Nice guys, made it tolerable.

Fantastic experience: Steve and his son Graham did a great job leading this class. They know no one wants to be there but they do their very best to make the day go by smoothly and make the information relatable and digestible. Steve comes across as a very good man who cares about others being safe and smart on the road. Thank you

Fantastic experience: Great experience. Interesting story and straight to the point!!

Fantastic experience: Great class the teacher is awesome has a lot of funny stories to tell and also ones that will impact you greatly so that you can be the best driver.

Fantastic experience: Would highly recommend this program for whoever needs or wants to take it. The inclusion of personal stories and the straightforwardness into the curriculum made the class an enjoyable experience. It's also highly affordable (speaking as a college student), so if you can make one the dates, do it!

Fantastic experience: Very cool teacher...class went by alot faster than i thought it would...alot of good life taught stories...would highly recommend this class if you have to take a defensive class

Fantastic experience: The owner works really hard to make it funny and engaging.

Fantastic experience: Steve is great! He made the class more enjoyable then what I was expecting! If you need to take a driving class I would recommend this one before any!

Fantastic experience: I was 100% dreading taking this eight hour class. . Then I got to meet the instructor Mr. Smalley, he is awesome. Has great stories to help pass the time and keeps the time going. I learn a lot more than expected in the class. I’m really glad I took the class not only to help reduce a ticket but to gain some info I didn’t know. Class was decently priced, clean, good set up, and very educational. If your faced with needed a course via court or DMV, is highly suggest taking A-1 Defensive Driving.

Fantastic experience: This instructor as absolutely amazing. Thorough, precise and the things you learn and relearn after years of taking a test. I will say one thing, he believes in his purpose. The videos watched, the stories heard from others, really put life and driving into an entire different light by the time you leave. Thank you for a amazing Saturday, that I thought was gonna be boring and irritating. You made it amazing and very, very informative. A million thanks!!

Fantastic experience: Long but able to take adequate breaks. Teacher is cool. Held inside of the Sleep Inn and Suites

Fantastic experience: This class was honestly entertaining for the most part. 8 hours is definitely a long time to be in one place, so thankfully there were 10-15 minutes breaks every hour. I don't know if it was the group of people in the class that made it entertaining/almost boring-free or the instructor, but overall if I had to take the class again, I would take it through this driving improvement program with the same instructor.

Fantastic experience: Great class thought was going to be boring he made the class actually fun and learned alot of important things about driving I did not know of...He made sure to explain and answer any questions I had and the class...Def will be taking more classes in the future....

Fantastic experience: I'd never recommend spending an entire Saturday in a driver's improvement class but if you have to take one, this is the one to take. I went into this thinking it was going to be the longest 8 hours of my life and I'm not gonna learn anything new but that wasn't the case at all. Thoroughly enjoyed my time there thanks to the instructor, Steve Smalley. He's funny, engaging, and a great speaker. Not only did I enjoy it but I even learned a few things and I've been driving for 28 years. Would highly recommend Steve's class to anyone, young or old.

Fantastic experience: A-1 Defensive Driving School makes it easy to complete any requirement needed. I recommend Steve Smalley!

Fantastic experience: Coach Smalley is the freaking man. No one wants to spend their Saturday doing a defensive driving course but Steve does a phenomenal job of keeping the content interesting and fun. I have done this course twice and yes, it does help mitigate the consequences of traffic/speeding related charges in court. I would recommend this class to anyone with +3 points on their driving record.

Fantastic experience: This class was awesome under the circumstances lol but he made it very enjoyable! 10/10 recommend best one can take

Fantastic experience: Great! Interactive and instructive.

Fantastic experience: Instructor is awesome.

Fantastic experience: Stories made it all relatable.... less painful.

Fantastic experience: Steve is a legend. I came into the class with a very pessimistic attitude; expecting some stuffy DMV guy to tell me things I already knew. To my surprise Steve was quite funny, very down to earth, and a delight to spend the class with. He taught the material in a way which was very comprehensible and I'm pleased to say that I did learn a new trick or two. I can't say I wouldn't have rather spent the day doing something I wanted to do, but if you want to/have to go to a driving class, I recommend A-1 Defensive Driving School, hands down. 10/10

Fantastic experience: Excellent teacher!! Best drivers class

Fantastic experience: Absolutely enjoyed this class. Definitely recommend for anyone that is local near this to take. So informative and made me rethink some choices about my driving. Take this class

Fantastic experience: Great teacher and made the class very educational experience.

Fantastic experience: Very useful course, particularly in reminding drivers to be safe and defensive drivers.

Fantastic experience: I was really dreading taking this course, but this guy made it a breeze! 10/10 recommend! very professional!

Fantastic experience: Steve made the best of a bad situation. 8 hour driving class is never gonna be fun but it could have been a lot worse.

Fantastic experience: He was very sweet and made instruction easy and interesting to follow.

Fantastic experience: This dude is really cool man, tells good stories and gets all the knowledge to you well

Fantastic experience: I was 100% dreading taking this eight hour class. I 100% percent honestly thought that I was going to end up sleeping through most of it. Then I got to meet the instructor Mr. Smalley, he is awesome. Has great stories to help pass the time and keeps the time going. I learn a lot more than expected in the class. I’m really glad I took the class not only to help reduce a ticket but to gain some info I didn’t know. Class was decently priced, clean, good set up, and very educational. I actually wish I had brought along my teenager to learn a few things! If your faced with needed a course via court or DMV, is highly suggest taking A-1 Defensive Driving. I took mine in Charlottesville, VA.

Fantastic experience: I was expecting to be miserable for 8 hours but this guy made the mandatory more than bearable. I would recommend this to anyone in a heartbeat.

Fantastic experience: Helpful instructor, free coffee offered, you walk out with your objective obtained. 8 hour courses from DMV are never fun but the instructor makes this as tolerable as he can. Make sure you email before going for a $5 discount!

Fantastic experience: He was really fun and nice to everyone! He made the day go by fast even though it’s an 8hr course. I would highly recommend him!

Fantastic experience: Lotta personal stories. Teacher made it enjoyable.

Fantastic experience: Great guy and a great class!

Fantastic experience: Steve is extremely helpful and I appreciate all that he does! I highly recommend him !

Fantastic experience: Hello all, I just took Steve's Defensive Driving Course and to be honest, I had my doubts in the beginning. Being that I was court appointed(forced) to take this class, I wasn't particularly happy about it. I came into this class with a preconceived notion that it would be boring and the day would be a drag, but I was WRONG! The class was actually a lot of fun and very informative. If you pay attention and participate, you will benefit from this class and what you learn here could very well save your life or someone else's in the future. If you have to take it due to a traffic violation or if you're just doing it to earn positive points on your record, Steve's great! I am very thankful. Thanks, Steve.

Fantastic experience: Open door or pre register. Easiest to schedule. I was tricked by an online clinic and told by dmv info desk in culpeper that an online course would be valid, but it wasnt and i had no time to wait for the other classes so I called A1 and got in quick. The next Saturday to be exact.. Ive been to a few clinics in the past for insurance rates and Steve's clinic has been the only one I have stayed awake in.

Fantastic experience: Steve at A-1 Defensive Driving School teaches the best class in Charlottesville, hands down. Super easy, helpful, great attitude, and very friendly. If you ever have to take the course, do it at A-1.

Fantastic experience: Great place

Fantastic experience: Awesome class! The instructor really kept things moving and interesting.