Cowlitz Driving School

Negative experience: Very unprepared and and disorganized.

Negative experience: Really rude owner. Yells at me when I couldn't hear him and then throws his things in my Grandpas car. The intire ride he was snappy and rude and bery unprofessional. If you want a place to take both tests with support and help, I recommend Aloha Drivers School.

Negative experience: Spent 100$ to take my drivers test here today. The instructor failed me because of what SHE told me to do??? How is she allowed to fail me for doing the wrong thing, when all i did is what she told me?? Not my fault she got mixed up and as a result, made me fail. Absolute bogus, i know im a good driver and she failed me over the most minor issues. Im a single mom, i dont have 100$ to pay just cuz she gave me the wrong instructions and I listened.

Negative experience: Told my gf she needed to wear more clothes also made some provocative comments about her stomach. Also seems to fail her every single time w no real explanation

Fantastic experience: Shawn is very helpful and hilarious he's a cool character and I'm glad I chose his business to get my license

Negative experience: Very unprofessional and rude. I'd recommend ahola driving school in Kelso instead.

Fantastic experience: Здавали з дружиною тест та водіння. Все пройшло дуже добре, враховуючи що ми погано розуміємо англійську мову. Але Інструкто зробив все можливе та допоміг нам. Дякую.

Negative experience: I have been to this place 4 different times to take my written test and each time I take the test I fail it by 1 question. Seems a little weird to me EACH time I just miss it by one question. The guy there is weird. He doesn’t give much help. He just tells you to study and come back. I feel they should be giving more instructions when it comes to taking the test and definitely helping people more to be able To pass their test, especially if it’s by 1 question. Next time I take the text, I’m going somewhere else.

Negative experience: Im giving this place a bad review because the guy is unprofessional and has a bad temper. He was 10 minutes late to the drive test. His instructions are confusing as well because he is too angry to explain things properly.

Negative experience: Doing the written test was okay. Not super clear instructions. Shawn seems nice at first but when he was my instructor for my drive test he waited until we got back, parked, then he proceeded to scream at me about 1 mishap. When I had pulled up to the school earlier before my test I saw him and another student pull in and when the student had exit the vehicle their face was bright red and full of tears. He is disrespectful and will more than likely fail you just to get your money for more tests. Don't use this school for your kids or if you yourself are young.

Negative experience: Do not recommend this place to anyone. Very rude and no patients. Main instructor shows little to no respect to his students. Also smells awful, like cigarettes and mold.

Fantastic experience: Shawn was so amazing, he helped me get my license. He was so kind and thoughtful and patient with me. I truly appreciate everything he did to make sure that I got my license. He went above and beyond anything I could have ever imagined a driver instructor doing. I'm so blessed to finally have my license!!

Negative experience: Do not recommend scheduling any test here. Came off as very rude and demanding, scheduled a test ahead of time and signed paperwork only for him to say I couldn’t take it and needed to take a written test even though my permit is renewed for another year however he rudely stated it doesn’t matter what your permit says you’ll need to schedule a written test here and reschedule. Blatant scam trying to extort more money from people.

Negative experience: The owner is so gross.. Sat and picked his nose while riding along with me on the drive test and is a mouthy pig. I took traffic safety from his Dad back in the day. He was great! This guy is a far cry from his father I would steer clear and find another place..

Negative experience: I want everyone who reads this to please share it might save you $500 , last June I enrolled Danlin in cowlitz driving school at that time she could drive like she had been doing it for years until one day the owner-teacher was on a drive with Danlin and he was on the phone and wanted her to turn well she was confused on what he wanted her to do and because she didn't take the turn he started screaming at her so bad that she pulled over crying her eyes out and got out of the car and refused to drive after that, he not only made her have panic attacks after that but took all the confidence in driving she had she has refused to drive and if she does drive it's like she has never been behind a wheel before. So we make appointment for her drive test and it was out a month time comes and she is panicking because she has to do the drive with the owner of cowlitz driving school she is shaking and then he yells get over here what is this because she didn't put the year on her paperwork he lost it on her and that's when I stepped in and said I have a problem in the way he was treating her and I said you've ruined any kind of confidence she has because of the situation when he yelled at her he then said to me in a loud voice you were not there and I said I didn't need to be I seen how upset she was , he then said I don't think I'm the person to do the drive with her knowing how long it took to even have this appointment, as we were leaving I said danlin don't worry he is just a jerk he yelled so loud no I'm not the windows shook not really but he was that loud . So it's almost a year and danlin hates to drive and doesn't want her licence. I wouldn't pay a dime to put another child to be abused by this man again and if you've a child please reconsider and find another school. Thanks please share.

Fantastic experience: I felt they did a good job for my wife.

Negative experience: Yelled at my kid during his drive, failed him without properly explaining why. Felt like a money grab just to make him pay for a retest. SOOO glad he didn't do drive school there. (he got 93% on his next drive test).

Negative experience: Omg..They need better options for the young kids being teached by a person that don't have enough time. Over it..This the best they got!!!

Fantastic experience: His Dad taught me and he taught my son. I'm almost 50 and have a perfect driving record ! My son was taught well also! Best place in town!

Negative experience: I had two children attend here, and all was fine. My other child has been in twice with no luck. Accommodations that were agreed on prior to test taking were not given. It is very unfortunate as this should not be an issue. I have tried to reach out again, but with no luck. I would change the review if my son was able to access the accommodations he needs in order to test for the written.

Negative experience: unhelpful and unknowledgeable, could not answer basic questions before he rudely hung up.

Negative experience: Not what I thought it would.There need to be more info on how they do thing. Like if the knowledge test is on the computer or a written test and it cost you 25$ each time you fail the test there no love there. And the tested really don't follow the book and that the problem it like they make more on if you fail the test it seem like a money game thin being there for the costumer that how I felt about the place

Fantastic experience: Friendly and professional! Nice and quiet testing environment.

Fantastic experience: Very fun but instructive. All of my question that i had about driving were answered in full. My instructor was very helpful in making me feel comfortable and able. 10/10 Would recomend

Negative experience: My wife and I took my daughter to have her written test at the Cowlitz Driving School today. I was very disappointed with Jim’s facility. First, Jim basically insulted my daughter and called my wife a type A mother just because she was doing the paper work for my daughter. There was a long line and we were just trying to hurry along for the people behind us sake. I heard shouting and loud noises all around the building making this a horrible place for a young mind to try to concentrate. I will not be bringing my other children here when the time comes to learn to drive.

Fantastic experience: Grate hospitality and comfortable settings

Negative experience: The man is very rude. He was 12 min late to our appointment. I did not realize my tags expired 6days ago and he got an attitude with me saying “I could’ve had someone else in here”. SIR, my time is also being wasted from this and from your tardiness. Thankfully he gave me my money back and I will not be retiring here.

Positive experience: Friendly. Willing to answer questions. Online and in-person classes.

Fantastic experience: Business owner is an amazing man! attentive, professional, patient, comical, kind& a pleasure to work with! Young students respect Cowlitz folks! Spacious classroom & great driving instructors. Thank you for your valuable time w/all the parents& students young/ old...hugs

Fantastic experience: Very kind and always letting us know what to do. Good place to take your kids for driving school and easy get a hold of him

Fantastic experience: I would rate this driving school 5/5 stars because the instructor is extremely professional and helpful. Best driving school in town for sure. They offer private lessons for some extra experience and knowledge of exactly how the drive test will be. Price is very affordable and reasonable. Would recommend to anyone looking to get their license.

Negative experience: I went to take my written test last week and the guy there had Christmas music blasting. I couldn’t focus on the test and I missed it by two questions. He said to come back and retake it for another $25. There were two other youth in attendance, they both failed as well. Maybe turn the music off dude, so we can take the test? And pass? Smh. Also he was coughing like crazy and wasn’t wearing a mask.

Negative experience: I didn't have a good experience when I took my driving exam with him. Basically, same complaints like the others, yelling, demeaning and asked me if I understand English, how long I've been in this country. I came home crying. I went to DMV in Kelso and told them what happened, they suggested to file a formal complaint, so I did. If you experience the same thing, I would go to DMV and file a complaint.

Negative experience: The owner and driver instructor we had was always late, never on time. Doesnt keep track of who has done what and will double charge first chance he gets. Do not recommend

Fantastic experience: Shawn was very polite and I enjoyed driving with him!

Fantastic experience: Great

Negative experience: This guy makes my nerves sky rocket im I'm scared to be in a car with a guy like this I literally drove worse then I ever have and iv been driving for a long time now I was so nervous after I couldn't stop shaking. He did give me a refund so I really appreciate that but wow my dad is a better teacher then he is. Although I am pretty spoiled with my dad bc he took a class A driver instructor course so he knows what to do i wouldn't recommend this school

Fantastic experience: This business is housed in the Sevier and Weed Building which was built in the 1920's and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Fantastic experience: Very helpful and knowledgeable staff.

Negative experience: My sister went in to take her test. The owner was totally rude to her and kept asking her about her ethnic background and making discriminative remarks. When she went in to take her test, he failed her based on something that did not happen just to take our money. Would not recommend to ANYONE, and actually, this guy needs to be reported for discrimination. Please read ALL reviews and see the discriminative ones towards non white students. He is just out to take your money. Guys is a bigot and a scam artist.

Fantastic experience: Mi amables las personas y muy comprensibles recomendable para que hagan el tes de licencia.

Fantastic experience: The instructor was very professional, and kind.

Negative experience: I don’t care who you are a grown man should not yell at a 16-year-old foreign or not just because she doesn’t know where she got her ID from. I as a 20-year-old told a grown man not to yell at a child and it created a horrible testing environment and I do not suggest anyone go here to get their permit or license.

Fantastic experience: Excellent service

Negative experience: Better off going somewhere else. They fail you to earn more money

Fantastic experience: Very nice instructor works with you till the end and doesn't give up on you thank you Shawn for being very perfessional and very kind....

Negative experience: Ok so in 2018 I took the driving portion of the test. The instructor made me do a maneuver that was not normal for people to do (backing up out of an alley into traffic) and when I didn't do it the way he wanted, he stopped the test. He said it was an unsafe action and didn't fail me, he gave me a free private lesson, still took all the money and told me to practice before coming back again. I was just looking up schools in town to try the test again and this one was the only one I could find, I started reading the reviews and seen how many other people had the same exact experience as I did. So I decided to leave my review as well. Same guy, same experience...please get rid of this guy.

Negative experience: When I took my drivers test (16), we paid the owner, Shawn to go over everything that would be on the drive right before I took it. While I was practicing, every time i was about to make a mistake he would make me say “I’m a bad girl”. No, I’m not kidding. So after saying this twice, he goes, “Oh you don’t want to make a third mistake because then you’ll be a naughty girl, and you know what naughty girls do in the back seat.” It was the most uncomfortable I have ever been.

Fantastic experience: Went here to get my permit and he of course Gave me the whole talk about how it all works and such. He was super professional, but he makes you feel welcome. Then when I went to get my license today he took me on a FULL review about everything and ACTUALLY helped me. He TAUGHT me, he didn’t yell or get mean he was thoughtful and worked with me to make sure I was doing things correctly and he EXPLAINED why and HOW to do things the correct way. Then we did a drivers test and I passed. When we were done with the test he explained what I did wrong and HOW to correct that mistake. I 100% recommend this driving school!

Fantastic experience: Very patient instructor, and when you are taking the skills test he gives you clear instructions, you may be nervous taking the test, but its not as bad as you expect it will be when you are driving with this instructor.

Negative experience: The owner was highly impatient and discriminatory towards his customer's would not recommend

Fantastic experience: My two oldest granddaughters took there drivers ed here and had no problems, and the third will be starting soon. I recommend this place to all that ask.

Negative experience: I would give this a place a zero star if I could!! EVERY terrible/horrible review you read is my experience with this place. I am so offended with his behavior and treatment to others. He acts like he is doing people a favor and seems to forget it is his job a service we PAYED for! I am appalled this place is still around after all the horrible reviews and experiences we have all had. I will definitely be going to the DMV in Kelso to make a formal complaint. Mr. Kraber is a Very creepy, disrespectful, degrading type of human. I would never recommend this school to anyone! Please take these reviews seriously for your own safety and worth!!!

Fantastic experience: These people where awesome. And genuinely care about the safety of you and others around you while driving . i would highly recommend them and hope they are around when my children start driving.

Fantastic experience: I don’t know what people are talking about the guy that is supposed to be horrible. I had him and he was the nicest and most helpful instructor I had.

Fantastic experience: Mr. Kaber is a great relaxed person who was very fun and taught the class very well. As a person who had driven very little before he helped me to shine and be a more confident driver. It is true that he raises his voice sometimes while you are driving with him, but it's never mean. I personally prefer when a teacher speaks with urgency to learning students.

Fantastic experience: Awesome people..bend over backwards to help people!!! Highly recommended A+

Negative experience: Very unprofessional people specially the guy who looks like a total jerk . He had me wait for more than an hour which supposed to be a private driving lesson . So unprofessional . Please dont waste your time and money with this people . Never again ...

Fantastic experience: Very kind and professional. Turning out to be a pleasant experience. Thanks Cowlitz Driving School.

Negative experience: Was rude and even cursed at my wife during the test.

Fantastic experience: Daughter loved it!!

Negative experience: If I could give this place a 0 star i more than happy would. This is the WORST place ever, please do not send you family members here. They need to loose they business by the way they treat their customers. I have lived in Longview for over 20 years and had never been treated the way we were at this place. The man is a big jerk. He is abusive and takes advantage of people that cannot defend themselves. I hope they close their door as many other people feel the same after reading review. Please stop giving them business and let them learn a lesson. I will make sure all the people that I know, do NOT go thee.

Negative experience: Stay away at all cost! Kaber was unprofessional, rude, and made it clear how much he didn't like me. This was almost 3 years ago and he still mentions how much he doesn't enjoy me to his classes now at my school. If he wants to continue to do this I'll make it known that he struggled to stay awake many times during drives and would chew to prevent it. He even advised us to not tell our parents but stuff happens. While his teachings occasionally were a help it was more of a stress. He is nothing but a parasite that takes aim at your wallet. I think it is also a problem when the many of the female drivers were not comfortable being alone with him in a car and would seek out male partners to be present in the car. It is sketchy as hell and should be the last pick.

Fantastic experience: Great guy!! And super funny Would recommend

Fantastic experience: Don’t look too much into the negative reviews. I took two tests today, and passed the second time. The earlier drives were canceled so I was allowed to have a huge time slot. I got disqualified on my backing around a curb portion. But he told me how to do it and inspired me to try again after I practice with my Dad. And with his help I was able to get a 50% on backing around a curb and parking against a curb. I finished with a 94%. This guy was absolutely amazing and I can’t say it enough how much I appreciate him.

Negative experience: All of the negative reviews are true, they happened to me as well. The overweight man there who usually goes on drives with you and decides whether or not to pass you will fail you for the smallest things, yell at you, grab the wheel while you are doing nothing wrong, and yell at you for other drivers mistakes. He nearly got me into a wreck not just once, but a few times. He is the most unsafe driving instructor I've ever met and he is repulsive and very unlikeable. I would never recommend this business to anyone. I would like to recommend this business because the classes and coursework for their drivers education was good, only because that fat meanspirited man wasn't doing it, but different people that actually care about your safety. If he got fired or retired, which he should be definitely fired, I would say that it would be okay to go. But as long as he works there, his presence alone ruins the business. Just because i didnt do his little tricks and hints that werent in the book that were also not safe he didnt even fail me. He gave me a little "lesson" on how to drive, but he still took all of my money and made me feel belittled. Ive never been in trouble driving, and I know how to drive safely, but he put me into danger.

Fantastic experience: This place was great daughter loved it.

Fantastic experience: I honestly had an awesome experience despite not passing until my 3rd attempt. I was mostly home/self taught and i'm a nervous tester. Everyone at the school were absolutely awesome. My instructor gave me helpful tips and pointers, and even had me drive around a little extra to give me a mini-lesson when i flunked due to my nerves. Awesome experience!! He didn't ever yell, he's got a big voice and a bigger personality. Really a great guy and by the time I had my licence in hand I felt way more confident about being on the road than I ever had before!

Fantastic experience: Great instructors, very knowledgeable, when they are done with the classes here you know they are safe and ready to be on the road. Classes were fun and entertaining.

Fantastic experience: The owner is the best hes a very nice easy going guy i did my drive test with him and he was very easy going and my husband just did his thru them too please do not listen to people posting bad reviews he isnt mean he dont yell at you and he dont care what race you are he even spoke spanish for my husband on his drive test so no he is not raciest its people who have not past that are posting such bad thing about this place but how is that his fault

Fantastic experience: All of these negitive reviews are Fales and not true you see cars can kill people that’s why he yells some times and they are not money grabbing every Buissnes out Their makes you pay for their services iv had 2 other family members go throw the school no problum the people complaining just need to get off their cell phones and talk to people in life once you get to know some one it might change how you think about them give people a chance stop judging.

Negative experience: This place is no good and the reason it is no good is because of the guy who works there. He is rude, foul and unprofessional. I will not be recommending this place to anyone.

Negative experience: My experience: Before my driving test, during a conversation with the desk lady, the instructor made a racially charged comment about POC, specifically blacks. I would reccommend you avoid this place if you are a PoC, as this demonstrates a bias that may or may not affect your testing. During my driving test, another driver nearly hit me after blowing a red light and the instructor proceeded to scream at me that I had failed the test, due to the unsafe actions of another driver. If I could give this place zero stars, I would. Spend your money somewhere not owned by a racist.

Fantastic experience: I now have my 2nd child going through Cowlitz. I really recommend going through them. I love that since my son is in school and sports that they work his practice drives around his schedule.

Negative experience: The instructor is an obnoxious money grubbing jerk he will fail you for the smallest thing on the driving test unless you cash out to let him drive you around and show you what you need to do basically he wants you to go broke to support how he lives so instead of wasting 40 dollars on the driving test he will make sure you waste at least 80