1st SGT Driving Academy

Fantastic experience: As an international driver living in NY, I was looking to obtain a NY driver’s license. After checking other reviews, I was convinced that this was the right place for me and was not disappointed. George is punctual, patient, straight to the point and overall a great teacher. He identifies your weak spots, gives you tips to correct them, and gets you to repeat the procedure(s) multiple times to undo bad habits. He tells you everything you need to know to ace your road test and is able to adapt his teaching to the student. All of that is done in a friendly/safe environment with jokes every now and then to lighten the mood. You truly feel at ease with George and he genuinely cares about your success. You can also tell that George is a well-respected figure in the neighborhood as he gets frequently greeted by the locals. If you are a seasoned driver, I still recommend taking a couple of classes to get used to the vehicle and get the practice you need for the different skills and maneuvers. You will be taking the road test in Red Hook, which offers a similar setup to the area you’ll be taking your lessons at in Manhattan. Overall, I had a great experience with this driving school and highly recommend it to anyone looking to get their driver’s license.

Fantastic experience: I had a European driving licence and couldn’t figure things out with the DMV. Luckily I found this driving school which is great! The instructor was super friendly and helped me learn everything I needed to pass my road test— and I did! Highly recommend!

Fantastic experience: I was an international driver preparing for my NY road test. The 1st SGT was incredibly knowledgeable and straightforward—no sugarcoating, just clear insights and techniques that actually improved my driving. He explained exactly what to expect on the test and gave me valuable pointers to refine my skills. If you want honest, effective instruction from someone who knows the road test inside and out, this is the place to go.

Fantastic experience: George is an excellent instructor. He is always punctual, patient and very knowledgable. Some things that he teaches in his classes are not just essential for passing the test, its for learning safe and responsible driving. Its easy to schedule classes with 1st SGT Driving Academy and they are responsive. I took 10 classes and passed my driving test in first attempt.

Fantastic experience: Over the summer, I enrolled in the 5 hour pre-licensing course, 15 lessons and road test exam package and was finally able to pass it after several previously failed attempts. George (or "Sarge" as I like to refer him as) initially assessed my driving skills then tailored lessons, leading up to the road test, to address the observed weaknesses for improvement. They were considerate as well as mindful about my availability and created an accommodating schedule around it. What I personally found most helpful were the driving assessments that mimicked the seriousness of the actual road test but in a less-intense manner. Family owned and embedded into the community that they serve!