Northstar Driving Academy

Fantastic experience: My experience with this company has been great! Fast responses to emails and helpful info!

Negative experience: J’ai gagné le test et on a pris trois jours pour me mettre dans le système

Negative experience: Instructor in the yellow mustang, older guy in his 50s, weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, and going 90-100 is reeeaaal smart. Doesn't care about the lives of others around him or apparently his own as long as he gets to joy ride in his mustang like a teenager. The voice on the company's phone matches the look on this guy which is disgraceful if they are the same people. Added the photo of the Mustang to the company photos so you can watch out for the idiot.

Negative experience: Please do yourself a favor if you value your own life!! and the life of others in the road!!This clown bold guy in his 50's or so, in the yellow mustang with the advertisement in the back of the car, assuming it's the instructor, was driving reckless and dangerous tailgating people and passing people on the right lane at 90-100 mph while on his cell, today 03/30/24 on hwy 167 towards Auburn,weaving in and out of traffic, it's very obvious that this clown doesn't care about the safety of anybody on the road,Then proceeded to shout profanities at the cars who he had just passed, Hope the DOL and police sees this reviews and take he's licence away, he's a danger to the public safety, and he's asking you to pay for this, what a JOKE!!

Fantastic experience: Good experience... Done my theory test. Its less expensive when compared to others. all the best. Thanks.

Negative experience: Horrible driving school to deal with. First, you have to do the whole knowledge stuff before they will drive with you. Its like they want the parent to teach that, but thats why you put them in there in the first place! Also, its taken me more than 3 weeks to get my partial refund. yes, partial. I didnt like how the program was set up, so (after the 1st class) we asked for our refund back. That was 3 weeks ago!!!

Fantastic experience: I would give this place a 5 star because of many reasons. First the price is on the lower end compared to other places which is nice. I found the call center very helpful in getting my permit, scheduling drives, and scheduling my tests. They also sent out confirmation emails about scheduled classes, tests, and drives which was very helpful to me. I would also say I’m a great driver so the instructor was very chill and the drives were easy. I did the online course instead of in person so that was awesome that I was able to do drivers Ed from home. I don’t get why there are so many bad reviews because of bad experiences. I don’t know if they are fake, didn’t take a full course or if it was a bad day. For me, I had no bad experiences. Some of my family and friends did northstar and they had good experiences, I would definitely recommend this place.

Negative experience: We saw One of your yellow instruction Car, Driving unprofessionally this afternoon. Zigzagging unsafely in the parking lot road. He’s lucky no approaching vehicles & pedestrians. Bad practice!

Negative experience: I would give zero stars if option. This place is an absolute joke. The instructor in the yellow mustang nearly caused a wreck while on his cell, weaving in and out of traffic wrecklessly. Then proceeded to shout profanities at the cars who he had just cut off. This place should not be allowed to instruct people on riding a bicycle let alone drive a motor vehicle. HANG UP AND DRIVE!!!

Negative experience: White male, bald, with facial hair driving the instructors yellow mustang vehicle with the company logo plastered all over it was very obvious on his phone as we passed, dude was holding up a whole line of traffic going under 60 on the freeway to auburn. I don’t know about you but I’m pretty sure instructors shouldn’t be using their phone while driving.

Fantastic experience: Driving School dot Com gives them 5 stars! I don't believe the Google reviews are all legit. They even post their EDU videos online! One can literally study for the written test for free! The Walk-in Knowledge Exams are just that... walk in and take the test. I am not sure what other reviewers are talking about with missed appointments. \ However, they will weed out aggressive drivers... So don't be one :) A another car may cut you off during your test... this is also a test ::) Another vehicle may have passengers that even swear at you... the goal is to see what your response is! Word of advice... "let it go"!

Fantastic experience: Very Friendly.

Fantastic experience: Muy buena atención para Latinos también.

Negative experience: Scam me for my money. Asked for a refund and they told me they’re going to process it as long as I don’t attend any classes. I complied but everytime I check for an update they are always saying that they need to resend an email to the owner about it. It’s been 3 months. Now today I called again they said they’re going to make sure it’s refunded and told me to call back at 5 pm. What happens after that ? I call 20 times and no one answers the phone now. $575 gone and I didn’t even attend the classes

Positive experience: I failed today.... No worry, I'll re-take on Thursday. I was too nervous and I violated a traffic rule. Wish me the best on Thursday

Negative experience: I swear they'll make you fail on purpose so they'll make money of you, the guy is always on the phone and then he'll just tell you you did that and that wrong and you're disqualified. It won't worth your money and time just take at i5 school I passed by 100. I just don't know what kind person own this business. SMH

Negative experience: literally the worst driving school. unprofessional and their staff is always late to everything. I scheduled for a test may 23 at 8:30 am at auburn and they scheduled me at burien??? don’t Ever go. it’s not worth the time and money

Negative experience: Seems like a hustling outfit. Instructor took me on a route where I could not see to turn. I stopped at line, waited, then pulled forward a bit to see past a large vehicle, stopped again and then proceeded, and he called it a rolling stop. I guess I should have just whipped out into traffic. Stay away from this place.

Negative experience: I took my drivers skills test here and it was not worth it!! I feel like they fail you on purpose so they can make money off of you. On top of that, you have to use their car, which was exteremely dirty. The guys who observed my test was extremely rude and was on his phone texting the whole time. He failed me by 2 point when he wasnt even paying attention to the drive. Just take your test at I5 driving school, I passed with a 96 :)

Fantastic experience: Amazing Instuctors 100% worth it

Negative experience: Unprofessional and always canceling poor experience

Fantastic experience: I liked it very professional no wasting time good customer care.

Negative experience: I would give them 0 stars. Horrible customer service. They schedule driving lessons for high school kids in a middle of the day without notifying parents and then charge you for not showing up.

Negative experience: very poor service. Scheduled date for driver's test and got cancelled the day of the test, then got a call from the company saying that they need to reschedule 3 weeks later on another day. When they called they never gave out a time for that set date and showed up at the previous time that was scheduled and was closed. Had to call again to figure out what time to take the test, which was at a later time and at night instead of daytime and DMV would already be closed for the day. Would not recommend going to this place for a driving test. Very unsatisfied.

Negative experience: they theoretically have an answering service ... They tell you that you are next in line every time, and then the "service" tells you that they're sorry, but they can't talk to you right now, so "leave a message" They don't call you back. Spend the extra $100 and get some better customer service, is my recommendation ! : ((

Fantastic experience: Amazing team of driving instructors and office/phone staff! Highly recommend!

Negative experience: Do yourself a favor and go with a different company; ANY company other than this one. The staff is not only very rude, but they're communication is terrible. My son took all of the written tests, which he passed, but they NEVER scheduled him to do the mandatory drives. He 100% thought he was done with the course and no one said otherwise. Six months later (Aug. 2020) I reached out to them, but could not get a hold of anyone and finally had to contact the DOL, who finally got Northstar to respond to me. They were totally content to just take our money and not fulfill their obligation. Horrible company. Can't say enough bad things about this place.

Fantastic experience: Love the teachers! Very easy going but do teach you a lot! If I had a chance I’d definitely go again.

Fantastic experience: I had a good experience here. Was able to schedule appointments for both knowledge and skills tests.

Positive experience: After taking the time to meet with the instructor, I noticed that this place isn’t a bad place to learn. They are fair, calm, and open to let you ask anything you need to know before you start your exam. I didn’t know what to expect due to communication in the past but when the time comes just let them reach out to you and help you get to where you need to be. I learned to give them time and they will make things beneficial for you.

Negative experience: Very unprofessional business, absolutely atrocious. Very disrespectful.

Negative experience: Not only are they not following current safety protocol with the lines of teenagers out the door, inches apart with no masks, I have yet to see them disinfect a testing car. Staff is consistently rude and dismissive when approached with conflict.

Negative experience: They have horrible customer service. I have called, left messages, and emailed multiple times, and have not received any response. I just need to finish a couple of drives to get my license, but they won’t get back to me. Do not go here!!

Negative experience: Instructor took points off my drive because he was absolutely not clear on anything and when I’d ask a simple question about what he wants me to do he’d repeat himself in a language I. CANNOT. UNDERSTAND. but only he can understand! When I get my license I might file a lawsuit agents northstar in general, the service and practices are extremely republican! Smh

Negative experience: Bad Bad customer service cancel my son driving 1 hour before his road test. No emphatiy whatsoever the girls in the office rude. I've heard the CEO is good but the girls in Auburn that schedule you is bad attitude and don't pick up the phone when you call. Please don't waste your time. Anyway 1st time driving school by Safeway save me and my son she schedule right away sooner and my son have license now.

Fantastic experience: It was honestly amazing going here. Smaller classes and the teachers are amazing! They prepare you alot for the written test. Cheaper then any other school I know in auburn. Great learning environment.

Negative experience: Registered daughter for skills test and prepaid for scheduled Saturday. Later they called to confirm Tuesday of the following week. We canceled and requested refund. 2 email excuses and 12 days later I have to open a PayPal dispute which my case was in my favor. Do not waste your time with this unprofessional institution.

Negative experience: They mark answers wrong on your test even when they are correct according to the DOL practice booklet.

Negative experience: Pretty bad scheduling driving classes even went you had already pay for that..

Negative experience: I paid over $500 for the package they suggested and quite frankly, I don't even know what they teach. I believe the teaching comes from home like with parents. They are just there to take money. When I first read the reviews, I didn't believe that driving schools only fail students in anticipation of retaking the test so they can collect the fee.... till it happened to my daughter. She will be taking the drive test for the 3rd time.They failed her with 1 point, really....Is that how greedy this company is...Shame.....It's their leverage in my mind...Companies like this should just be shut down because the reputation and word of mouth goes a long way.

Fantastic experience: Personable and knowledgable. Reasonably priced and offers diverse learning applications.

Negative experience: BEWARE OF THIS COMPANY!!!! They NEVER return phone calls when you have a question. Leads us to believe they are dishonest, or hiding. Manager is NEVER available and NEVER returns phone calls! As long as they have your hard earned $$ they don't care. Appears from the reviews we are not the only one whose $$ they took without completing the service!!

Fantastic experience: I had Josiah for my DOL drive and he was great. I was reading reviews before I came in and people were really harsh so I was abit scared. I was alittle late and he still let me take my drive! Defiantly recommend this place

Negative experience: Terrible instructors and not worth tbe money. They are unorganized and never prepared

Negative experience: Wow! What a joke this place is. I can write a whole page about what this place is all about and how.horrible they are and only for your money but I don't want to stress myself writing every details that happened. Make things short, save your money. Not worth coming here. Better of going somewhere else. Young lady at the front was nice and generous. Thats about the only positive thing about this place. Heck, id rate this a below 0 star.

Negative experience: Paid $30 for the test. Came there and the instructor was definitely not made for this. He told my wife to park behind some car, and after she tried to get him to clarify which car (because there were multiple cars), he would not do that. Than just wrote 'Language Barrier' on the slip, and failed her, after she did the rest of things fine (parallel parking, turns, etc.). Called to reschedule with someone who doesn't just mumble, and they said we have to pay again, and they would not give us money back!! rip off. Please do yourself a favor and go to different location, or something other than NorthStar Academy. Unless you want to donate your money to them, just for them to write 'Fail' on your slip, than have you come again and pay $30, than again...Not a bad business strategy right? 4 students per hour, thats $120/hr. I could afford a living!!! We actually met other customers, that came second time, and were not happy because the guy got failed for driving by school, while the sign 20mph not blinking - so regular speed limit applies, and there were kid somewhere on the side with backpack, so he should assumed there was school, and should of went 20mpg, not 25.

Fantastic experience: I am a current student at the covington North Star driving and all these bad reviews are not true. I have passed the class with a few drives left and I honestly wish I had more time with my new friends and an awesome instructor who makes driving way less stressful while still teaching us student about the responsibility of driving. Go to North Star driving it is worth your money and time don't listen to nay sayers.

Fantastic experience: This is honestly one of the best classes I have ever taken in my life. Chris the drivers Ed teacher makes the class interesting and a great learning environment for all of his students. Every one in my class i know for sure has passed the test with no problem, because the experience within the class was great, from the classmates getting along, to the instructor, down to the customer service. the class is affordable and has great seasonal deals to try to accommodate many people. Another thing that makes this class great is that Chris goes above and beyond in his class to make sure his students all pass. I took this class almost about 1 year and a half ago and i'm still able to send Chris text messages full of driving questions and somehow he finds a way to answer the right way. i honestly would recommend this class to you and anyone really because i came here not knowing anything about how to drive or even change a cars oil and tires but now i can without being nervous because i took NorthStar Driving Academy with Chris!

Fantastic experience: Ok, so I'm a student who actually went through this school. First, pretty much all the charges that they list in the contract, they honestly don't do. The driving instructer has you ask politely for a pen, and that's it. Mr. Chris is really the best instructer that i could imagine. He makes the class fun, but makes sure we learn what we need to. I got my drives, classes, and observation done in 5 weeks. I had a surgery right after my classes ended, and the people there worked hard to make sure i finished before that happened. I don't know what happened to the other people, but honestly they aren't right. This is a good school, and I'm taking my drive test there.

Negative experience: When you look this company up, you'll be enticed by the $30 price. And man oh man, you really do get what you pay for. I made the HUGE mistake of scheduling on a Friday with this company. Turns I wasn't informed there would only be one instructor working all day. I showed up early, only to find that the building was locked. This should have been the first red flag, but I was determined to do this today so I called the lady over the phone again where she assured me the instructor was with another student. Since I already paid, I just had to wait for him. The instructor finally arrived way later than what was scheduled. He was already in a huge hurry to rush the whole process. I had a bad vibe about him the moment I first saw him. The dude was dirty and smelled weird. I mean come on! These guys couldn't have bothered to at least APPEAR professional. I had already prepared to show him all the necessary paperwork. They accept your proof of insurance in just about any way and I somehow thought it would be a good idea to use the phone app. Seriously, the one time I really had to use the app, it didn't work. The instructor gave me five minutes before he was going to deny any service to me, but there was no way I could get that terrible app to work in five minutes. As much as I feel absolutely cheated for something that was completely out of my control, you need to read the fine print. This company will be glad to take your money for a service you may or may not use and they won't bother refunding you at all. And witnessing how unprofessional the trainer was, I doubt anybody was going to bother to do their job adequately that day. Unless you're completely desperate, just do yourself a favor and avoid this company at all costs.

Negative experience: This place is a ripoff and they dont give a s*$$ about people there all they care is about money and every thing is paid in advance and be careful read everything before signing.