Golden State Driving School Inc.

Negative experience: Lacking customer service, communication, and overall professionalism: Paid for a full 3 lesson package. As someone who does not get many opportunities or time to practice on my own, I needed to get this experience out of the way ASAP. Scheduling and communication was a constant issues. I would provide when I am available over the phone and set up appointments. I would several times be contacted DURING my work hours which I informed them of, just so they can update me that the time no longer works. Before my first lesson, I was called the day before and asked if I was okay if there was another passenger in the car. I thought it was bizarre because they did not explain who the passenger would be at all. I agreed because I just wanted to get my lessons done; and I had little experience. The car for that lesson was also unkept and a bit messy. It went well for a first lesson and getting used to driving which I had not done much at this point. I was only given very simple feedback on what I was doing wrong. Scheduling issues and communication issues get worse: The instructor who was giving me lessons was now experiencing car issues so I couldn't receive my second lesson for a while. They would tell me they would call me and update me about the situation but they never did (e.g. "I'll let you know by tomorrow" but no call would happen that day). I would have to be the one contacting every time just to let them know that the vehicle was still unavailable; and they did not suggest giving me another instructor until VERY much later. Even THEN I had to continue to go out of my way to schedule it myself since I did not get updated. This delayed my 2nd lesson by about 2 months. My 2nd session however was very helpful! I had a different instructor who would explain CLEARLY how I can improve and let me know how to avoid mistakes instead of simply pointing them out whenever I made them. They seemed like a real instructor that used positive feedback and clear communication to guide a student instead of abrupt criticisms. Their car was also clean and they were very prompt with pick-up and drop-off. I schedule my 3rd lesson a month or so later, and a week before that sessions I get a call asking to DELAY the appointment to the next day. I begrudgingly accept because I NEED to take these lessons and don't want to wait too much longer. 3rd Session: Instructor (the same as the first session) arrives about 5 minutes late. Car is just as messy still. We drive around possible testing routes. They give very little feedback or communication about improving my driving skills. Very similar to my first session, I only receive comments and criticisms when I make a mistake but never ideas or concepts on how to avoid mistakes or how to improve. I am then asked to park in a parking lot for a store for them to use the bathroom for around another 5+ minutes while I wait. In addition to the tardiness and this break, the driving ends our sessions 10 minutes before a full 2 hours. When asking what I can improve on, I am giving very simple answers without much elaboration or help on how to improve. I then ask about SEVERAL specific areas to improve on and they agree to each; which they for some reason omitted when I asked earlier on how to improve. I wish I could have gotten the name of my 2nd instructor because I truly believe they are amazing; however my other experiences felt very unprofessional and very unconstructive. I do not recommend overall due to communication issues and professionalism

Fantastic experience: Yolanda and Dago are amazing instructors - on time and experienced. My son Alec definitely went to his driving test well prepared and confident- Passed first try ;) Also affordable rates - Will also use this company again for my daughter! Thanks Virginia De robertis

Negative experience: Can I give zero stars? This company has not been customer service oriented at all. They are not automated enough to shcedule appointments without calling, but RARELY asnwer the phone. If you are lucky enough to get an answer, they have very little availability. BEWARE they will cancel whatever classes you have if you don't do it within 9 months. It is on the receipt and they have NO flexibility or customer service skills. On top of their poor management, my child says the instructor was difficult to understand.

Negative experience: Won’t recommend this his school

Negative experience: I have had nothing but problems with this company. The first incident was when the instructor dropped off my teenage daughter at a different drop off point then I asked them to. It was dark and she was left in a parking lot. Every time that I spoke with someone to schedule appointments or bring up a concern, they were unprofessional. On the last scheduled driver's instruction, the female instructor showed up in an old toyota that was dirty inside. There was garbage inside and it was very outdated. The instructor was very passive aggressive toward my daughter and it made her very uncomfortable. She told my daughter that she would be tested on parallel parking, which was not true. She should not be working with people, let alone teenagers. This place is a rip off and a scam. Please do not waste your money.