I-5 Driving School

Fantastic experience: The best part of I-5 Driving School at Maple Valley is the people! Everyone is so nice, helpful & ok answering the same question over & over. They truly helped us navigate the complex rules, scheduling & nerves with our student driver. Great, helpful website. Communication was always abundantly clear & quick.

Negative experience: Great scheduling and examinator for the written knowledge test. Speedy results and good feedback. Do not recommend the road test here. Very unprofessional lady ; too much mumbling and unclear instructions and lack of constructive criticism; did not seem to know her stuff. Not very friendly either. Went for another road test at another driving school made a huge difference and way better. The lady did not mention that I drove on the wrong side of the road nor gave detailed explanations regarding the points system. Again, very unprofessional and not constructive and very unhelpful. Would recommend American driving school, not because of the roads but because of the lack of professionalism and feedback ;)

Positive experience: Staff members here are INCREDIBLY sweet and friendly and go above and beyond to ensure a enjoyable experience for everyone☺️ I took my knowledge exam and driver test here and my only complaint would be that the route that’s used for the road test is a little nerve racking with the wide intersections and big roundabouts that might hinder your possibility of passing if you’re not skilled enough, even more so for teenagers who are beginners. But if you’re up for a challenge then this is the place for you, but if you’re looking for a more easier path to earn your license then this might not be your best bet

Fantastic experience: I am glad I went to this driving school, the lessons are amazing and made me feel confident when driving. It was not as stressful as I thought it would be, I took my lessons in a Lightning McQueen car, which helps take away some of the stress of being a new driver. It is more affordable than other driving schools from what I hear of.

Negative experience: Bad staff, only cares about earning money and also makes students deliberately fail. Also their racist. They deserve zero stars. **** Hire more professional instructors. Advise them to not be rude. Students paid for you, so let them drive longer, then say you didn't pass the driving test. What your instructor did was kick the student out in less than 5 minutes. Instead of letting students drive more and then saying why a student didn't pass the test professionally without hurting their feelings and lowering their confidence. Your system is perfect I see, you make students fail, so they can pay you extra for the practice driving test, and pay again for the driving test, after that they will pass the driving test.

Negative experience: I did not enjoy my instructor. I will admit I am a bit “squirrely”, but she straight up bullied me, calling me names and threatening to kick me out of the class. The time she threatened to kick me from the class, people behind me were talking. She didn’t even look, but immediately blamed me. When I tried to let her know that it was not me, and rather the people behind me she didn’t even try to listen and said if I kept talking I would be kicked from the course. I never got to let her know, and she kept ignoring me. This behaviour from staff is unacceptable, especially to teens trying to find their way in life. Would not recommend to anyone who reads reviews.

Fantastic experience: I don’t know how this place doesn’t have 5 star ratings across the board — this driving school and their staff are phenomenal. I was really hesitant because of the negative reviews and my goodness I am so glad I decided to give this place the benefit of the doubt and go with them. The whole process from signing up to the classes, to them answering all 500 of my questions, to the very end, the staff has been amazing. The instructor (I didn’t catch her name but she was so great!!) She was so fun and made the classes enjoyable for both my son and I (the parent portion), the driving instructors were all so awesome and didn’t make my son feel uncomfortable while out driving, every time we’ve gone to the building they’ve been so inviting — and then there’s Lynn at the front desk. They did a great job putting her as the face of the company up front, Lynn is SO wonderful and was such a joy to work with throughout my son’s time there at I-5 driving school. It’s just been such a pleasant experience, not to mention super accommodating and understanding of any issues we’ve had on our end…:’) They really just want your student to succeed and it shows! I seriously cannot recommend them enough to trust in guiding your child, or whom ever really to learn the rules of the road and to feel happy and confident about doing it. Thank you again everyone at I-5 Driving School! See you soon for the state written and drive exam lol

Fantastic experience: Great for teens. Great teachers. Extremely patient

Fantastic experience: Passed my driving skill test there. Examiner was nice. No stress during exam. Recommend this school :)

Fantastic experience: I highly recommend this driving schools location. From day 1 Lynn in the office was very kind and understanding to my daughter and myself, answering any questions we had and we had a lot with this being my first child to go through drivers ed and I personally never went to drivers ed school when I was a youth so this was all new to me. She was very patient and helpful and wonderful in person and over the phone. I don't remember the name of the gal that did the zoom lessons but she was awesome! I would listen in to my daughter's lesson and you can hear how she cares to communicate with the youth in a way for them to learn and understand what they are learning and make it interesting and grab their attention. My son will for sure be coming to this drivers ed when he turns 15. My daughter was fortunate enough to have Michelle as her driver ed driver not once but all 5 drives. Michelle made her feel comfortable and she was patient and kind and gave great feedback. Michelle wants the youth to be respectful safe drivers and is a great help! I feel so lucky for such a wonderful experience! Thank you staff at Maple Valley I-5!

Fantastic experience: My son and daughter both have learned excellent driving skills from here

Fantastic experience: I-5 driving school is very good. I have taken writing test at Federal Way and driving test at Maple valley. The all staffs are nice and service is very good.

Negative experience: I drove behind a student driver car with this companies phone number and logo painted on it and they were taking a student driver down Arcadia, a very narrow windy road, in the dark, in the rain. They went 5 to 10 miles an hour down a 25 mile an hour road that a student driver has no business being on in the dark and rain. I would not trust this school to teach anyone to drive safely. edit to add there are no lights, stop or otherwise, on this road. If students need to learn on such roads they should do so in the day time not in the dark when it's raining. I understand student drivers need to know how to drive in these conditions but I might add that rush hour is not the time to teach them this when people are trying to get home and there's a ton of wet fallen leaves on the ground.

Fantastic experience: I am the guy who passed behind the wheel test on Fifth try. I am a good driver but since i was new to USA it toke me time to get used to all the signs and traffic regulations in USA and i did not have a friend here with whom i could practice so i just kept taking the test. So as i said i toke 5 tests three were with other schools and 2 with I5. now in my other tests the examiners were rude and extremely bossy which doubled my nervousness and i failed and at the end they asked me to join there learning classes which i think was the main reason of pressuring me during the test so i fail and join there learning class but the examiners in I5 were extremely nice and friendly. I had my first test with this black dude clayton who was an awesome guy though i failed the test . I had my second test with this sweet chubby lady briana or brandy i am not sure but she was really nice and friendly and i passed. I would strongly suggest I5 maple valley. The examiners are friendly and nice if you fail its only because they want you to be safe for yourself and others on the street and not because they want you to attend their learning classes.

Fantastic experience: I just took my driving test at this place and I was very nervous going in but everyone there was very welcoming and eased my nervousness. I had Michelle test me for the driving test and she was very helpful and not too picky about little things but rather focused on me being able to drive around following the rules. Overall, great, and recommend anyone who needs to do the driver's test to do it here!

Fantastic experience: I took my driving test here, the instructor was so kind and gave directions at a good time for me to be able to understand them even while i was nervous haha thanks guys!

Negative experience: I will start by saying that I have never posted a negative review, especially for a local business. However, I feel compelled to share my experience, so that no one else is treated the same way I was by Ryan, the owner of I-5 Driving School. I apologize for the length of my post, but I feel it’s important to share details that are important to the experience. In looking over other reviews (which I wish I’d done sooner), Ryan is notorious for turning things around and not sharing details accurately (which was noted several times by others). I signed my daughter up back in January to secure a summer spot in the program. We received an email 5/30 informing us that the June driver’s ed class would be held online (this implied June, although it will really be for the entire summer). I sent an email to Ryan asking for clarification as I was extremely surprised that there would still be a need for Zoom since we’ve been back in person in schools, with no social distancing, for many months. He replied and said they were still authorized under the emergency rules to limit class size. My daughter ended up having a very frustrating class session in which our internet crashed and she was not recorded as having attended enough minutes and would have to wait and make them up at the end of the course. I spoke to Ryan and voiced my frustration over having to deal with Zoom in the first place as I think most kids learn better in person. He told me that I should go somewhere that offered in-person classes. I was confused as he had previously indicated that driving schools were lumped into a special category that still required social distancing and this impacted all driving schools. When I asked about that he then said that there were ‘less desirable’ schools that offered in-person classes. That was very different from what he and the office staff had previously told me. He was very flippant and arrogant which, admittedly, did not help my frustration level with the situation. When I tried to get more clarity, he was very dismissive and he simply informed me he was unenrolling my daughter from the class and told me I could go someplace else. I attempted to gain understanding and share that this was not what I was asking for, but he refused to even hear me out and then proceeded to literally hang up on me. I was even more in shock and appalled when I then discovered he was the actual owner. I couldn’t fathom that a local business owner would be so rude, disrespectful, and unprofessional. For the sake of my daughter, I sucked it up and wrote him an email with an apology for how our conversation had gone. I said that my daughter was very upset about being unenrolled from the class as she’d been very excited about taking driver’s ed this summer and it wasn’t her fault that my questions and frustration had led to this. I couldn’t believe that my message didn’t even warrant a response on his part. The following day my daughter logged into the class and privately messaged him also asking him to reconsider and re enroll her in the class. He didn’t even respond to her. Being an educator in this community for over twenty years, I can’t even wrap my head around someone treating not only a parent, but also a fifteen year old in this manner. This takes unprofessionalism to a whole new level. It is beyond apparent that he is not in this for the purpose of educating kids with a new and very important skill such as driving. It is all about him and his ego and packing kids into a Webinar (not even a Zoom where there is any kind of interactive learning). This is a sad commentary on education and I hope that you, nor your child, will ever have to cross paths with him. Note…all of the other reputable driving schools around this area offer both remote and in-person classes, unfortunately he knows he has a monopoly on the MV market for convenience and it shows with regard to how he treats others.

Negative experience: With our first child 3yrs ago our experience was exceptional, with our 2nd child our experience was 100% worse. Even with the restraints of a remote classroom because our illiterate Governor the remote “classroom” setting was ENEPT at best. This was a COMPLETE waste of our money and time. No we would never recommend I-5 Driving School - Maple Valley WHAT SO EVER. My wife & I will certainly restrict our son from driving without a parent in the car for at least 2-3 weeks longer due to the inept drivers training at I-5 Driving School in Maple Valley. Then once my wife & I are comfortable with our son’s extended training he will then let him drive.

Fantastic experience: I was having trouble scheduling with my academy, so I went here to take my skills test. Now, I wish I would have gone there to begin with. I was able to schedule my test for the next day without a problem. I was extremely nervous, but Michelle and Lynn made sure everything went smoothly. I would recommend that anyone taking their test go here! Thanks!

Fantastic experience: Great school, might reckon to say it's even, "poggers". Driver's Ed. Course was pretty good, and the instructors there were all very helpful.

Fantastic experience: I enjoyed taking my driving test 100percent

Positive experience: Friendly people, they do their best to get you be a best and safe driver.

Fantastic experience: This school goes above and beyond. They are there to help you really be prepared for the testing and to become a safe driver. They care about your child being on the road and we never felt like just another number to them. We often felt like the only student because of how much individual attention we felt we were given. The testing at the facility makes it so nice to not have to deal with the dmv. I have been truly impressed by the staff and the program itself. Would highly recommend you choose them when you are trusting them to teach your child to do something that’s very important. Thank you!!

Fantastic experience: Great excelente

Fantastic experience: Все супер! Сдавала здесь и теорию и вождение. Здесь нет русскоговорящих сотрудников, но все сделано для того, чтоб было понятно. Спасибо огромное Мишель, за её терпение и понимание.

Fantastic experience: The staff were professional and friendly.I felt really comfortable during the entire driving test.I highly recommend this place.

Fantastic experience: I had heard many good things about I-5 Driving school. That is why I chose to take my grandson there for his lessons. Although 18 he was put on hold for these lessons due to Covid-19. He is doing awesome not quite halfway through and feels he is learning alot from the instructors. Hats off they are doing a great job and giving him the skills and confidence to be a safe driver. Thank you

Fantastic experience: I’m currently enrolled in the i5 Spring session. I love all the advisors and teachers! This location has the most clean and well taken care of cars. I always drive with the instructor, Kate. She is very patient and understanding. I would 10/10 recommend.

Fantastic experience: Excelente atención

Fantastic experience: Looking at the one star reviews, I can see a common thread: blaming the school for a lack of driving skills and comprehension, combined with a disturbing lack of ability to follow really simple directions. No, I wasn’t able to get an appointment immediately in Fed Way and drove to Maple Valley to get the best / most convenient time slot for my kid to take her test. Is that somehow a negative reflection on the business? Their team were prompt in responding to my initial texts, the office manager in the Maple Valley office was friendly and knowledgeable, with great phone presence that matched her in-person attitude. We got here 10 minutes early and got the two required pieces of paper signed and out of the way... and it was off to the road test with a really friendly and personable instructor / examiner who did everything possible to reduce tension for my daughter before they headed out. This is pretty simple: read the website, ask questions, FOLLOW DIRECTIONS, demonstrate adequate driving skills, don’t break any traffic laws, and pass. They put your results into the DOL system asap, and you’re done one way or the other. Don’t do all of the above and YOU fail. What’s not to understand? Excellent customer service and testing environment in their Prius-c fleet at a *very* reasonable price.

Negative experience: Response she never tried to leave the area actually she gave the worker her information when he husband came because she didn’t have the information on her and we told the lady that and she told the cop straight up that she did hit the car so obviously she is lying or you are completely lying and we were the ones who called the cops first and not once did we threaten her nor once cussed only threat was she was going to call her lawyer and if anyone left the area it was the lady she left multiple times to go in the building and we didn’t complain the cop did asking where she went and I mention ethnicity is because that is what it feels like and one worker of yours said can I help you to my mom and her husband ask what do you mean and he said well she keeps staring at me and if you ask me that’s pretty disrespectful and we were only trying to give her the information because her husband just got there with it and another reason why I mention ethnicity is because your worker pulled the cop aside and started having a secret conversation multiple times even after we were leaving and the cop couldn’t even ask us about the situation so he only got one side of the conversation as you will see on your video and he couldn’t even listen to us because she just kept talking to him privately and not to all of us even tho we are apart of the situation and Ryan if your reading this go ahead and keep threatening me like you did in email and if going to court with a fifthteen year old makes you happy go for it but what it looks like I got a better case then you do have a great week

Negative experience: I scheduled my son's drive exam, not once was I ever asked when his knowledge was completed. Took time out of my day to take him to a location out of our way, only to be told that he would have to complete the knowledge test because it had expired, he was never offered to schedule this while he was there. I called them and spoke with Ryan who stated I should of known this because it was in a piece of paper that was given to us over 2 years ago. He refused to admit that yes his staff dropped the ball with not asking or checking when it was completed. Then when my son called back to get scheduled for the knowledge test he mispronounced my son's name. My son corrected him, Ryan then said we can not complete the test at any of the locations. Keep in mind I just paid over 1000.00 to this school for 2 kids to complete and get their license. Now I have to find a new location to take the knowledge test and final drive test. THIS IS THE WORST EXPERIENCE I HAVE EVER HAD WITH ANY BUSINESS!!!! DO NOT USE THEM, YOU WILL REGRET IT IN THE END... DONT EVER CORECT RYAN BECAUSE HE WILL DISMISS YOU WITHOUT WARNING. HE NEEDS TO TAKE A CLASS IN CUSTOMER SERVICE. **** my response***** I am sorry if questing you over the phone makes you fill uncomfortable. I was very calm and did not go necular as you stated nor was I rude. I do have the conversation between us recorded if you would like a reminder on how the conversation went. Nor was I ever asked if my son had completed the knowledge test during the 9 min phone conversation that was on Feb 24, at that time I had 4 other witnesses listening to the conversation as it was on speaker phone. I see that this is a typically response when you are called out on your behavior. When my son called back and spoke to you on the phone, you were the one who was upset that you were corrected on how to say his name that you dismissed him from even having an option to schedule an appointment. So why did you go necular and disrespect him for simply correcting your mistake? Nor do I tolerate that kind of behavior. Why are you judging my son do to his age, this was his choice to do this class and he didnt have to. So why would you assume that he was uncomfortable in the class. Once again presuming you know what his or anyone's response is. Shame on you!! I really do hope that this conversation that you have replied to stay public so everyone will see how you handle your business. Trying to publicly shaming myself and son for your own gain. I never asked for both of my kids titutions to be donated, so I am not sure why that was even an option? I wish you would see that this could of easily been resolved if your responses were sincer and if you would of offered to schedule for a knowledge test. But instead your responses were, it was on the paper that was provided to you 2 years ago. I sure hope that no one else has to go through the disrespect this companies managers/owners do to customers.

Fantastic experience: I had one kid just complete the course through the Maple Valley office and 2 that went through the Federal Way office. Very pleased with the results. Instructors are very personable, patient, and knowledgeable. Cars are easy to drive. Very willing to work with you if they need some extra help. Would recommend this to any teenager or adult.

Fantastic experience: Sounds good

Fantastic experience: I went here just for my skills test. The examiner was extremly professional and friendly. He made sure to warn me about potential differences in the testing vehicle compared to other vehicles. Throughout the test he cracked a few jokes which really helped calm me down. He gave adequate time to respond to lane changes and actions. Overall. A great experience.

Negative experience: I did not enjoy my instructor. I will admit I am a bit “squirrely”, but she straight up bullied me, calling me names and threatening to kick me out of the class. The time she threatened to kick me from the class, people behind me were talking. She didn’t even look, but immediately blamed me. When I tried to let her know that it was not me, and rather the people behind me she didn’t even try to listen and said if I kept talking I would be kicked from the course. I never got to let her know, and she kept ignoring me. This behaviour from staff is unacceptable, especially to teens trying to find their way in life. Would not recommend to anyone who reads reviews.

Fantastic experience: 1st class today, just wanna say I love how even with the technical difficulties, the staff recovered and wasted minimal time. also my instructor said on break to go visit the piss palace and I have to thank you, he made my dad 10 times better.

Fantastic experience: They were so nice and super cool. I definitely recommend them.

Negative experience: Worst place to do your drive test. After paying twice for the drive test I still missed my flight because of them and made me fail my drive test for small errors the lady that tested seemed irritated like she was tired and didn't want to be there. all the stress i went thru just to be failed for minor errors. Edited: I had everything that I needed. I had my permit already. You are trying to make it look like I dont know what I was doing. I made the mistake on driving a bit over the speed limit on the first but on the second test I was nearly flawless. Oh please I spent over 300$ taking license test you guy just wanted me to keep bringing out more money.

Negative experience: I just graduated from i5 driving school, and scheduled my drive test in the Aruban location, i walked in and gave Ryan all the information he needed. He told me that my written exam was expired and i need to redo it, he says hes sorry and didnt offer me to schedule me a written exam. I walked out of the school and went to tell my mom my written exam is expired. She called the school and eneded up talking to Ryan, she asked why wasnt she informed about my written exam being being expired. He didnt answer the question and wasnt careing about helping us and said it was on a pice of paperworkthat i got 2 years ago and we should have known, so my mom hanged up and i called after to schedule my written exam, i ened up talking to Ryan again, he asked if it was me, but said my name worng. So i correct him just to make sure he is asking if its me or somebody else, right after i corrected him. He said "it would be better if i went to a different school to do my test." Right when i heard that, i hanged up phone. My mom called again and got brenda (manager of mapple valley location) my mom asked why wasnt we informed about my driver exam being expired. She said that they dont check everyones drives exam and that its up to us to know this. My mon said okay and asked of she coukd leave a complaint about Ryan and what he said. Brenda said that she needs to talk to Ryan to figure out whats happening and untill then i cant schedule for a driving exam for any i5 driving school after my sister and i just graduated there. And my experience in the class is terrible. They just show video and PowerPoint, and we just fill in a paperwork with the answers on the PowerPoint. They just care about making money instead of making good safe drivers.

Fantastic experience: I urgently needed to take a skill test and they were able to accommodate me the same day I took my appointment. They were on time, the whole process was smooth and very satisfying. My Examiner was very friendly, while staying professional, he was giving instructions on the road in a very timely manner, so that you don't rush to execute it. I passed my test, but at the end of the driving test, he still let me know about the little skills I was still lacking that made me loose a few points. Great experience overall.

Negative experience: *BUYER/DRIVER BEWARE* SlOW to REFUND ~ Had to track them down. Ryan owner/instructor hears what he wants to hear and says what needs to be said for his own selfish gain. He will even deflect & distort the truth to distract from his unprofessional behavior. After 3 of 5 weeks into class & 1 instructor drive later, our daughter went on her 2nd instructors drive with 2 extra observers. We weren’t asked, informed or even made aware prior (parent mtg, contract, website, booklet, handouts etc) that having 1 let alone 2 extra observers is OPTIONAL for scheduled instructor drives. *Called 911 Driving School, co-owner informed me upfront optional after 1st observation drive* I’m sure some kids don’t mind an audience while learning a challenging & new skill. Our child had an unproductive, nerve racking and frustrating drive due to the “2” optional observers which impacted her ability to make the most of HER drive (paid & included) with a unnecessary misinformed missed opportunity. I first tried to speak with his front staff, they couldn’t help but THANKED them all for their time & efforts on my way out. I even complimented the receptionist. Spoke to the owner later inquiring “if”she could redo that drive not replacing it with a future scheduled drive as proposed. I was told that wouldn’t be accommodated since it’s up to the teenager to say something. The nice receptionist I spoke to earlier, unbeknownst to the owner, revealed that she was told to “push as many extra observers on drives as possible because they were backed up.” I tried explaining I didn’t think that was fair at our daughter’s expense not having all the facts upfront to have made an informed decision. I was told defensively with a frustrated and accusatory tone it was my 16yo’s responsibility to speak up even though 2 observers had already been booked, showed up for her drive and can’t cancel less than 24hrs. The owner/her instructor proceeded to argue with me, twist & put words in my mouth, while making ignorant minimalistic accusations about our daughter which he conveniently never mentioned (after teaching her 3 days a week for 3 weeks) until THIS conversation. When it seemed like the conversation wasn’t going his way, he dismissively asked if my child should “wait” and take the class at “another” time because she’s quiet in class & was nervous on her 2nd drive with 2 extra observers. I didn’t think that those were disqualifiers especially 2/3 through the class with absolutely NO prior mention of it. Ryan then disrespectfully & rudely informed me HE will disenroll my child from the class, no lie ... hung up on me & blocked my number. Never explaining why. Immature AND unprofessional as he made it personal. I kept my cool on the phone because I didn’t want or need to stoop to his level. As a flight attendant, I deal with unruly folks often. He lacked true understanding, humility, integrity, and the willingness to listen & respectfully communicate. Not allowing a redo drive is one thing but what followed was unprovoked, unnecessary and uncalled for ... again at my daughters expense. His reaction was ugly, sad & a scary reflection on many levels of the kind of business owner/instructor he chose be. UPSIDE: 911 Driving School* ((Excellent program, gr8 reviews & treated with R-E-S-P-E-C-T:)) REBUTTLE: Ryan SHAMELESSLY distorted the truth. I actually complimented your front staff and THANKED them ALL even apologized if I had taken up too much of their time. No threats or mistreatment just smiles & no worries from them when I left the office. They either misinfrmed you OR you’re lying for them. Either way, not taking any responsibility for your behavior while deflecting speaks volumes to YOUR character.

Fantastic experience: First time visit I pass! Great instructor! Thanks. I recommend coming here for your driving test very easy.

Positive experience: It was okay... learned a lot but one driving instructor was rude every time I had her.

Fantastic experience: Linda was awesome!!

Fantastic experience: This is a great school for any age. The people are patient and informative. It is an easy to get to location and clean.

Fantastic experience: After reading the reviews on their other location, I decided to go to I-5 Driving School for my test. They were easy to find, had plenty of parking space, and the atmosphere of the business was relaxed but professional. I was processed as quickly as I could write my signature, paid the reasonable price of $35, and then took my test - in the rain! The test only took about twenty minutes. While I was panicky, my instructor as was positive, patient, and with a good sense of humor that helped me relax. I knew what was expected of me every step of the way. I would recommend taking your test here over anywhere else, even if other places are closer.