Pioneer Valley Driving School

Negative experience: In our experience Pioneer Valley Driving School has been a big disappointment and unprofessional. My oldest didn't feel comfortable with some of the driving instructors at PVDS and my current teen, who is learning to drive now, ended up switching schools. She is now at Next Street Driving School and we could not be happier with our decision. Next Street is much more organized, professional, and their teaching strategies are well thought-out and very effective! Next Street has a pick-up location in Amherst near the Hospice Shop in Newmarket Plaza, which is easy and close to downtown. My daughter's Next Street instructor gives her a paper after each driving lesson which tells her what she needs to work on and which allows us to be able to work with her on target areas in between her lessons. Most importantly, she feels comfortable and at ease with the instructors because they are professional and kind. Another perk for Next Street is that driving students can do the content learning portion via an online course rather than spending hours and hours in-person in the basement of PVDS. Unfortunately, we missed this perk with my daughter, but we will definitely be working with Next Street from the beginning for our son in the years to come.

Fantastic experience: Len is an exceptional instructor—patient, composed, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire process. I have become a much better driver and have gained a lot more confidence behind the wheel.

Fantastic experience: I had an excellent experience with this school. As a private student, I had my first lesson with John, who was very patient and later certified me as ready for the road test. However, there were setbacks in my ability to take the road test with the school on the weekend due to changes in directives from the RMV. Unfortunately, I was affected by these changes, but the school's swift resolution left me impressed. With the help of Mary Ellen, a wonderful instructor who is very sweet and considerate, they quickly scheduled my test in Greenfield. Unfortunately, I received a call from an RMV representative just an hour before the test, informing me that it could not proceed in Greenfield and that I needed to either reschedule or take the test in Springfield the same day. I was really worried and anxious by this last-minute cancellation, but Mary Ellen calmed me down and took me to Springfield to take the test. On the way, she patiently guided me through the maneuvers required for the road test. Thanks to her support and last-minute tutorials, I passed my license test on the first attempt and that too in Springfield! She was so sweet and happy for me. She takes the satisfaction of her students seriously and even drooped me home! I highly recommend this driving school. I must say every dollar I spent was absolutely worth it!

Negative experience: Worst experience possible ever. They just want to extort all the money that they can. They tell you to schedule a lesson, make you feel like you are fully prepared and on the test day, the examiners will fail you for all sorts of random reasons and these people just say that there is nothing that they can do. If I did everything by the book and still they failed me, it should be the school's responsibility to help me out. Instead, they tell you to book more sessions, and a new test. In total, my 250 dollars went down the drain and I still don't have a license. Never going there again

Fantastic experience: I took an hour private lesson with John. He taught me useful skills to drive safely and did not waste time at all by constantly practicing over and over. I passed the road test and was glad to take a lesson with him!