Allied Driving School

Negative experience: Bad customer service.

Negative experience: I booked Allied as it was the only school available to give my son driving lessons in a timely manner—he got his permit in June 2021, and we were able to schedule lessons in late July 2021—other schools were booked through the end of September 2021. I have listed the problems below: 1)The instructor, Gary, did NOT wear a mask (summer 2021–during COVID outbreak). We were in the height of the pandemic and its very close quarters in the car. 2) The car used was DISGUSTING—filthy, sticky and smelly; looked like it has not been washed since its purchase 5+ years before. 3) The car and Gary REEKED of cigarette smoke—the third hand smoke smell was so bad that my son came out smelling like it and had to immediately shower. 4)Gary was 30min late without calling for the first two lessons. I had to repeatedly remind him to give my son his full lesson. 5) My son had never driven and was just told to drive and was not spoken to or taught throughout the 3 lessons. He wasn’t given direction or feedback—I had to ask repeatedly for feedback. 6) My son was not taught anything—no parking, no backing up, no 3 pt turns or parallel parking, no freeway, no direction on what he will be tested on. Allied sent the certificate of completion after a month only because I kept calling about it. The only plus of the place is the cost, it’s $100 less than other schools—however, let’s factor in that I had to pay an additional $200 to have my son get additional lessons with another school and will probably set him up with another lesson because he needs those pointers for his behind the wheel test. I don’t know how Allied is able to maintain a business or be certified by the DMV. There service is abysmal.

Negative experience: This is not a legit business. They rob you.

Negative experience: Gary stole my money and took off. I had set up a three lesson driving course. After 1 lesson, he asked for payment then he scheduled me for 2nd lesson, 2weeks on the future. Gary took the full payment of 340$ cash upfront and never showed for 2nd lesson. He didn't provide a receipt and has not given any explanation for no show on 2nd lesson. Ive left 3 messeges and no reply. This is a scam. Allied Driving scams people.

Negative experience: My father called to take their senior course... and twice they never showed up. They didn't even bother calling him to say they weren't coming or needed to cancel! I do NOT recommend at all!!!

Negative experience: I had a driving instructor and the car was very dirty smelled like smoke and the instructor was very rude. It was my first time driving on the street and I was extremely nervous and I was constantly getting yelled at. It lowered my confidence and I felt like everything I was doing was wrong even though it was my first time on the road. Not a single good comment of my driving came out of his mouth. If you want to do driving school this is not the one.

Fantastic experience: Amazing teacher (Barbara) learned a lot in 3 sessions. 100% recommend if you want to learn how to drive.

Fantastic experience: I've read other reviews where a customer said Barbara was rude, but she is not rude, she is a tough, very experienced driving instructor. I am 75 and knew I needed a little brush up before taking a behind the wheel driving test. Barbara corrected and educated me on so many aspects of my driving that I feel much more confident on the road. It is apparent that as you read other reviews, she will help you to be able to pass that DMV driving exam. I just had cataract surgery so my eyes had improved so much that DMV said I did not have to take the road test after all. But I learned so much that I am willing to give Barbara 5 stars.

Fantastic experience: Thank you so much Allied Driving School and instructor Barbara! Without your expertise, guidance & patience Barbara, my son would of never passed his DMV driving test the very first time...but he did! The confidence booster he needed. Oh and the drive on Hwy 17 to Santa Cruz he said was fun. I told him if you can drive Hwy 17, you can drive anywhere! Thanks again!

Negative experience: She said that she would charge more if I told her I was a driving instructor I give that a 0 if I could

Fantastic experience: Amazing service and Barbara it's a great instructor. I would totally recommend

Fantastic experience: Supportive environment for new drivers and fast appointments available

Fantastic experience: Barbara was great teaching me for to drive a stick shift car!

Negative experience: Much like a Kettle Korn stand, traffic violation school is basically a license to print money...and you kinda sorta get the sense this could actually be a money laundering front based on the interesting characters running this place...BUT that said, I actually ended up getting a nice drivers ed refresher. The first hour is dedicated just to registration so even though they give strict orders to be there at 8am sharp, you could roll in 8:30am and jump in line no problemo if it's like what I experienced. Once the 'Better Call Saul' type money dude collected the cash money & signatures, the instructor (who reminded me of Cecily Strong's 'Girl at a Party' I'm not gonna lie) mumbled her way through the morning session to break time. PRO TIP: there are no bathrooms here for use (well there are actually, but it caused a big kerfuffle with the constant parade of customers demanding to use it all throughout the class so best to use it before arriving & hold it until the breaks. Hands down my fav part were the 1980's-era after school special-eque instructional videos...I'm searching YouTube for these gems as I type! And did I mention there's a 78 question quiz right after registration? No, oh...well no worries, it's only a practice quiz, so doesn't count...but they don't tell you that up front. 1 hr lunch break... Then more epic videos AND your final exam, which does count, and decides if you pass/fail...but don't you fret, IT'S OPEN BOOK?!?!

Negative experience: Worst experience ever! Dont get Barbara like your instructor. Just you need to read about the experience of Mark and John! Its exactly my same experience.

Negative experience: Maybe some of instructors are good here, but don't choose Barbara. She repeatedly yelled at my daughter, was rude and abrasive. The first thing she said when I opened the door was "hi, how are you going to pay?" She dropped my daughter off without even coming to the door and left. She has the people skills of Marine drill sergeant.

Fantastic experience: I want to thank you Barbara , i got the driving licence because of you. You were so sweet , calm and professional. I will recommend my relatives and my friends to join Allied Driving School for driving course.

Fantastic experience: Allied was wonderful. And it saved my daughter and I a lot of stress by having her learn from someone else. Thanks to Jerry and the whole staff! Otis and Beatrice (future driver)

Fantastic experience: It might be hard to believe, but I am solely speaking from experience. With that being said, I read the reviews before calling Allied Driving School. The reviews were good and bad. I decided to call them because, in my city and cities near by no one was offering stick shift lessons. I had plenty of friends and family members willing to teach me but I decided I wanted to learn from someone with patience and experience. I called and someone friendly picked up so I scheduled an appointment. I was nervous but went in with a open mind. Best believe my instructor Jerry was very friendly and had lots of patience. Little did I know Jerry had a 30 year history of teaching students to drive. I gave him a few scares while driving here and there, but Jerry remained calm and encouraged me to not give up. I remember reading the reviews and frequently reading that, that students felt like the instructors always wanted to push for more hours. I would make my appointments for 3 hours at a time, because it seemed logical since I was about 45 minutes away without traffic. I took 3 classes on 3 different occasions. After every course Jerry gave me feedback, which I needed and was open to criticism. On the 3rd class I was planning on taking another 3 hours but Jerry felt that 2 hours were enough. Jerry felt confident in what I had learned in the previous classes and how I was driving. What I'm trying to say is that it never felt like the instructor was pressuring me to take classes I didn't need. The instructor simply wanted me to be a good stick shift driver. I highly recommend Allied Driving School to anyone who wants to learn to drive and is hesitant. Trust me it's worth the drive, I learned a lot. Such a humbling experience.

Fantastic experience: Instructor was punctual and provided good feedback for my daughter. All lessons completed within 1 week.

Negative experience: The staff at this company are absolutely negligent! I received a phone call from who I now assume was the instructor around the time of my appointment but they asked for someone named Fiona and when I asked him to repeat himself he quickly said "wrong number!" And hung up. When I realized who it might have been who called me I checked outside and there was no car there. A month after speaking with a rude and disgruntled receptionist who grudgingly assured me that I shouldn't be billed I received a $160 missed appointment fee. I am disgusted by the unprofessionalism greed, and incompetence of the employees of this company. Please save yourself the stress and money and try a different driving school.

Fantastic experience: Great place for internet class !! Thanks YOU

Fantastic experience: We had a great experience with Allied for our son. And now are coming back for our daughter. Very knoweledgable staff.

Positive experience: Learned a lot, felt safe and comfortable. Overall had a good experience

Fantastic experience: I had a very nice experience with Allied driving school. My instructor was Gary. He was always patient and it was because of his efforts that i passed my test. Way to go guyz...u guys r great!

Fantastic experience: I needed/wanted to learn how to drive a manual car and this was the only place nearby San Jose that offered lessons for stick driving. Barbara was my instructor and we used a Honda Fit to get the job done. We went over all the basics, including clutch, gears, gasing, and breaking. I didn't finish all recommended lessons, but enough to get me started . Thanks for you guy's help.

Fantastic experience: Instructor was very patient and friendly, the two hours made me feel a lot more comfortable driving stick!

Fantastic experience: My son took his required lessons with Allied Driving and subsequently passed his test first go and in a stick shift. Great job Allied Driving and kudos for providing the opportunity to learn in a stick shift.

Fantastic experience: Office staff was very professional and timely in processing and scheduling, they were very accommodating when we had to change our established days. Instructor was on time accommodating to pick up at school and drop off at home. We completed as planned. Very orderly and as promised! Thank you Allied !

Fantastic experience: Awesome, always on time, very professional, very competent and installs and explains the laws even when the kids think the laws are "dumb." Very highly recommended!! Robyn - San Jose

Positive experience: No complaints and everything went very smoothly. This is the second time that my children have used Allied and I would very much recommend them. It would be nice to book online for everything, but that's my only wish to make it better. Other than that, we had good driving instructors for both times we have used Allied.

Negative experience: Worst worst worst Driving school ever. Don't take this place. I had this one driver instructor and she was very rude and impatient. She kept shouting in my ear and when I kept stalling she would panic. I barely learned anything from her. She also said my driving is horrible and I still need to practice driving. She doesn't know what she's talking about. She smells like coffee and cigarettes. Don't take this place they give you a hard time learning to drive manual and you come home scared.

Positive experience: They dont keep track of progress resulting in you taking the same classes over and over again. I do not recommend.

Fantastic experience: This is the only school in the south Bay Area that teaches manual transmission (stick shift) lessons. I had been driving for years but never really learned how to drive a manual and wanted to be able to drive those during my trips to Europe. The school has a Honda Fit with an extra clutch and brake pedal so the instructor can help you out. I took a few lessons with Barbara and she did a great job taking me through the skills step by step.