River City Driving School

Negative experience: I know that everyone has bad reviews for RCDS. It is awful and all of the reviews are true. I was overwhelmed trying to figure out which company to choose. I will save you the hassle. Just call Glenn at Excelsior Driving School. He saved us when we were in the middle of dealing with this RCDS scam for 3 months. Glenn got us all done in less than 2 weeks. RCDS still owes us our behind the wheel and have said they will refund us but have not. I feel for the scam when Kendall, the owner's wife, blamed the bad service on the death of her mother in law. I felt bad for them and said that we would go with them and trust that they were trying to turn things around. They were not. They are a scam. Their office is boarded up with a message from the DMV to email complaints to them.

Negative experience: I had a great experience with River City Driving School in the spring of 2023. Some occasional communication errors, but nothing egregious. I have not driven for the better part of two years and decided to schedule extra practice sessions with them. No response. No calls back, had to leave a message constantly. Hundreds of bucks spent on nothing. I did file a dispute with Discover, and won the dispute against them! Would not recommend at all!

Negative experience: I cannot recommend enough to STAY FAR AWAY from this business. They took our money and will not respond to calls or texts to set up Behind the Wheel. We have been trying for months. Going to have to lose the money can go elsewhere.

Negative experience: This place is a scam. I prepaid for “behind the wheel” for my son. They were very communicative BEFORE I paid and to set up a schedule. Then they were nowhere to be found on the first two scheduled driving appointments. They finally responded to calls, texts, emails three days later to apologize. At that point I told them to forget it. I had to call AmEx to decline the charges as they didn’t respond to my requests for a refund. Place should be closed for good.

Negative experience: DO NOT USE THIS PLACE! They are a SCAM!! I drove to the office to try to talk to someone in person. They closed! People in that building said they cleaned out and closed up and haven’t been there in forever and sometimes they see them driving the driving school cars, but never in the building. They stole $600 from me. Didn’t offer the online courses as they were supposed, they won’t return emails or phone calls. This is a SCAM and everyone should be aware. AVOID AT ALL COSTS

Negative experience: I sent my $600 for the behind the wheel course and no one ever reached out to me to schedule the lessons. I signed up Oct 15th and to this day I have not received a response after calling and texting and leaving voicemails and I even showed up to the office and no one was there. I was told that the police had been looking for them from a neighboring business. I filed a claim with my bank and they had the audacity to respond saying they provided the service and my claim was denied. They are thieves preying on vulnerable people who are just trying to learn how to drive. I hope you guys get what you deserve.

Negative experience: My girlfriend signed up for driving education and behind the wheel training but it took several weeks for anyone to respond to her. After weeks have past and numerous attempts to contact them via email/text/phone calls and showing up to the physical location they sent the online driving education but still failed to provide the behind the wheel training. We filled a dispute with the bank and it was denied because the company lied saying they provided the services to keep the little bit of income they have coming in. We are currently seeking legal advice/action. Avoid this business.

Negative experience: Unfortunately, I did not read reviews before selecting this "company." DO NOT USE THEM. It's painful to even give them a star rating and I do not understand why they are still in business. I am out $850 because they will not respond to my emails, texts, or calls so I can't get anything scheduled or my money back. I've also gone to their location multiple times and the one time someone was there they literally ran out of the building and drove away. I will be pursuing legal action.

Negative experience: This started out as a good experience. I was impressed with how quickly my inquiry was responded too. My step son successfully got scheduled and on the first day spoke about how great it was driving and was impressed with how the time was split between the different children driving. This is when it fell apart. The communication is a 0. If I could give negative stars I would have. Ive had to literally call over and over just to get a texted reply. I finally was able to schedule a 2nd class and get that also complete. Mine you my child is taking off from work in order to get these classes completed. Ill add the instructor is ALWAYS late every single time. Palmer offered no apology nor did he even seem to care about the complaint of terrible communication. I then after maybe 8 calls and 10 text got the remaining 5 classes schedule. We showed up for the 3rd class schedule for 4pm yesterday. We waited over 45 mins with no response to my repeated calls and got no answer. Called from my work phone and still no answer (id assume because the caller ID has my name) I then texted and requested a refund and the original DEC-1 card back so that I could just go to another driving school. Only to find I had been blocked. We then called from my sons phone and I said my name to then be immediately hung up on and blocked again. I have all text proof showing not only was I very polite in my text, I was never cursing or anything just clearly irritated and asking for answers. I have never seen a more unprofessional set of business owners. The worst part of it all, this driving school has an immediate personal connection to my high school and its a shame they are this terrible. You would think just for the mere fact that I knew the affiliation they would have treated me a bit better. I was trying hard to work with them and be patient but at some point you have to cut your losses. Its absolutely disgraceful to think this is how a business should be operated. The "office" space has listed hours but no one ever is there, and all in all the experience was fine till I started to express my displeasure with the late arrivals to start class and pure disregard for both my time and my sons. At this point I am starting over and having to get a new DEC-1 card. I have to think the intention was bad from the begging because otherwise why would you block me. I would not have called so many times if I hadn't waited 45mins of my time, had my son take off from to complete classes you all never had invented to complete. RUN IF YOU NEED BEHIND THE WHEEL CLASSES THIS IS NOT THE PLACE TO TAKE IT.

Negative experience: This place is terrible I’ve called multiple times emailed and got very little response. I completed the 3 times fail course and have been waiting for my certificate and have yet to receive it . I went there yesterday to try in go in and sign it no one would pick up the phone or answer an email. I’ve called the DMV asking about this and I was told all they have to do is email me my certificate. This as been an awful experience I want a refund or my certificate.

Negative experience: DO NOT USE this business. They have had our money for months. Like many on here we can not get a return call, text or email.

Negative experience: Do not use. They NEVER respond to calls, texts. Voicemails are always full. My kid took behind the wheel in Dec 2023 and still doesn't have his DL (it's now August) because DMV said they never received proper paperwork from River City Driving. I had to go to their office to get them to refax the paperwork to DMV--only to find out that the DMV now requires driving schools to mail it instead of fax (as of July 15). You would think River City would know this! I've called and called and called. NO ONE EVER RESPONDS! Shameful, since they are leaving kids driving on expired Training Certificates.

Negative experience: Put in my payment for this place and they said they would call me to schedule. never called me.only reason why i give this two stars is because kendall actually is very helpful and understanding. other then that service is terrible got o be safe driving

Negative experience: Extremely slow to receive responses. Never got the DL as it seems the certification for adult waiver wasn't mailed by the school to the DMV at all. Will have to redo everything with a new school.

Negative experience: Never call you back to schedule behind the wheel. It’s a nightmare to get scheduled or even talk to someone on the phone.

Fantastic experience: We used River City for driving classes for my 16 year old daughter. The instructors alway showed up on time, were great with the kids and amenable to changes.

Negative experience: My daughter worked weeks on the online study. In December paid this company $600 for final testing and behind the wheel. Received 2 texts from 2 employees/owners (not sure) to schedule. When I responded to those texts multiple times I never received a response. I called the office and Palmers number, left VM, no response. I am now disputing with CC company and now my daughter has to take all the exam hours over with a new company.

Negative experience: Parents Beware--we should have read the reviews of this place before we signed up-big mistake. Thanks to the other parents that tried to warn us. The car they use for instruction is missing the passenger side mirror, even! Currently waiting on a refund for the behind-the-wheel portion. I will update here as to whether or not they actually process the refund like they should. The 'owners', Kendall and Palmer- I guess(?) are unprofessional and SO hard to reach. They respond days later, if at all. Please save yourselves the headache of even trying to call this place....they do NOT want your business.

Negative experience: I have never written a bad review of a business until now. My daughter took drivers education here. The establishment, class, and teacher were unprofessional and disorganized. When I tried to reach them to get a certificate of course completion, I left 15 messages and never received a call back. I understand that this is a family business, and I wish it had been a positive experience.

Negative experience: My son used this driving school and in a word “sketch”. The lack of communication from this company is as poor as you can get. Instructors do not show up on time. My son said that the instructor smelled of possible marijuana one day. Instructor would have the “kids” run errands for him. Once they stopped at Starbucks and the instructor them in the car for over 20 minutes. There is very poor communication if they are running late or not going to show. There is no regard for its consumers which leave me feeling a little weary that I entrusted my child to them. Cars side view mirrors shattered and not useable.

Positive experience: I just finished and got my license with this school, The overall experience was amazing, the instructors were super kind and helped me when I made a mistake. They have been going through a lot recently, I am really grateful for the fact that they were still able to make appointments for me and help me get my license. I highly recommended! However, they have taken the longest amount of time to send me my license, its been 6 months since I should have gotten, they need to fix this, i need my license.

Positive experience: I had a great experience at first. My daughter took the classroom instruction and liked it so I signed her up for Behind the Wheel. She has been unable to pass the learner's permit test which is more due to some learning issues and not a reflection of the classroom instruction. I contacted RCDS and it took me a month or so to get the right person on the phone, who agreed to give me a refund on Behind the Wheel since she can't take it without a permit. That was November of last year and I still haven't received the refund. Voicemails are always full and if anyone answers they say they will have to talk to the owner and get back to me. I finally began texting a number from their website and was told my refund had been mailed two weeks prior. That was April. My most recent text received no response. I much prefer to resolve these things privately rather than public reviews, but I'm at a loss for what else to do. I think if you take the classes and nothing out of the ordinary happens RCDS could be a great option, but if anything goes wrong and you need help from the staff, it's a challenge.

Fantastic experience: River City was a great experience for us!

Fantastic experience: Very helpful and my customer service/ driving school experience was 5 Stars

Fantastic experience: Excellent service! Highly recommended in all aspects! Great employees, very friendly!!!

Fantastic experience: It was lit

Negative experience: BEWARE of giving River City Driving School a credit card. My son took driving school in 2021 and paid in full. In September of 2022 and November 2022, my card was charged $350 for a total of $700. I have called over 10 times and got them on the phone 3 times, I am still waiting for $350. The explanation given was a glitch in the system....

Fantastic experience: My daughter is currently going through drivers ed program with RCDS.. I have found them to be extremely professional and helpful. Wouldn’t hesitate in using them again!

Fantastic experience: Amazing driving school!!! Definitely recommend!!!! A++++++

Negative experience: Overpaid and I have tried several times to get the $150 refund of the 2nd payment. They don't answer the phone, they are not in the office, and they have not responded to BBB complaints. VERY POOR accounting and customer service! I will never send another kid there for training.

Negative experience: I had a very difficult time finding a reputable driving school for my son who needed the flexibility of a self paced online course before scheduling behind the wheel. I discovered that River City offered a package price that included exactly what we needed - self paced coursework and behind the wheel. That's where the positive part of this review ends. The entire engagement was mismanaged and incredibly unprofessional. My emails and voicemails went unanswered for weeks. I finally got a person to answer the phone in order to schedule the behind the wheel lessons, but when it came time to drop my son off for his first lesson, the schedule was changed at the last minute and via text. When we entered the office for the first time it was disheartening because it was so unorganized and there was barely an acknowledgment of our entrance. The second lesson was conducted in December during the height of omicron outbreaks with a car full of 3 students and 1 instructor. My son was the only one wearing a mask during the entire session. I was livid to hear this and reported it to the person I'd been communicating with, Kendall. She replied promptly stating she was going to speak to the owner and get right back to me. I requested a call from the owner. 2 days later I had not received a reply, so I reached out again and was told that everyone would be wearing masks moving forward. The instructor was 10 minutes late arriving for the third session and during the session had the student drive to his home. He left the students in the car in front of his house for 20 minutes. The entire process was very frustrating. We had already paid in full, so pulling him out of the school would have set him back in the process. We finally completed the behind the wheel sessions and learned that the "blue DMV form" that would serve as his temporary license was late coming from the DMV. After his final session on a Saturday, we were told it would be ready for pickup Monday. When I inquired if it was ready for pickup, I was told it was not and I'd be contacted when it was ready. A week later, I reached out again to be informed that the blue form had finally arrived. Kendall asked when I planned to pick it up (my son and I both have to sign the blue form), so we arranged a pick up for 3:30 the next day. We arrived to an empty office. I reached out again to Kendall who was always apologetic and full of detailed reasons for the mishaps. She agreed to personally meet us at the office the next day at 5:30. She showed up at 5:45 and we FINALLY left their office with the document in hand. Sorry for the novel, but it felt warranted after the ridiculous experience.

Fantastic experience: River City Driving school is a family-owned business and that is the experience you get start to finish. They care about teaching our kids how to drive and it shows. My daughter had to miss her final driving test just before Christmas and they made sure to get her back on the schedule so that she completed it before the day she was eligible to drive. Not many companies would care about the individual like River City Driving school did. Thanks for being the best, River City.

Negative experience: I've had a similar experience as others posting here. Unable to schedule behind the wheel for my teenager after paying for it. We have attempted to call, leave messages (all voicemail boxes are full), send emails, no return call or response to email. Began calling before Christmas, and absolutely no way to connect. Has this business closed?

Negative experience: Unable to schedule behind the wheel for my teenager after paying for it. We have attempted to call, leave messages (vm full), no return call when we were able to leave a message, and we even went to the office during office hours and no one was there. This has been going on for weeks! Unprofessional!!

Fantastic experience: Great Experience! Best Driving School in Richmond! RVA Driving Academy was doing illegal classes. Thankfully River City Driving was there to help us! They do everything by the book! EVERYTHING!

Negative experience: how come no one answers the phone? I paid 500$ and am not able to reach anyone to speak with....

Negative experience: Super creepy owner! Stay away from this place at all costs. Also look how they respond to other people in the reviews, they’re insanely unprofessional. What kind of driving instructor tells people that writing a bad review is libel? Good thing he never went to law school although I’m sure he’d fail out of it considering he acts like an entitled, petulant 14 year old. Also all the more recent positive reviews are ALL from accounts where that’s their only review. Nice job making fake accounts to beef up your google review rating.

Positive experience: Everything was great and easy Palmer was super helpful with getting everything set up the only problem was the driving instructor Glen who is an absolute moron with in inflated ego who often did dangerous things like yank the wheel unexpectedly, slam on his break unnecessarily and yell while doing the driving tests. Overall I recommend river city driving.

Fantastic experience: Thank you River City Driving for the fabulous experience. I was nervous about my child learning to drive and you really made the process easy and stress free. My young driver felt comfortable as well. Thank you to the River City Driving staff for the pleasant experience. The customer service was impeccable.

Fantastic experience: I attended River City and the process was very simplistic and professional. The staff was very welcoming which made for a pleasant experience. I would recommend to others looking for the same experience.

Fantastic experience: They made it such an easy process to sign up and they were great at explaining all the information and had great customer service! I would definitely recommend this driving school to my friends!!!

Fantastic experience: It is a family owned driving so nothing was impersonal. They made a lot of exceptions for us due to family emergencies. The owner treated us like we were a part of his family I have nothing but good things to say.

Fantastic experience: Best in RVA! River City provides incredible service, responsiveness, communication through the driving education experience. Thank you.

Negative experience: I do not recommend this place to anyone, took way too long to actually take the test, took about 2-3 months for them to actually email us back, do not go to this place!!!! Very unprofessional and rude to their customers!

Negative experience: I signed up for the online class and paid over a month ago. I haven't been able to get anyone to answer any of their phone numbers or emails. Can someone please get in touch with me? I have paid $500 and am unable to reach anybody to set up lessons.

Negative experience: I WISH I could give this place 0 stars!! The classroom teacher was some creepy old guy who could barely stay on topic. The behind the wheel teachers are incompotent and are unable to help new new drivers. The "receptionist" lady just wants your money and does not try to make you feel comfortable or safe. EDIT: To the "owner" who sent me a reply... of course I am not going to use my real name since you people likely still have my address and my MONEY! Focus on not scamming people when they want money for lessons they DID NOT RECEIVE. The two likes show that other people have experienced the tangent riddled, inappropriate teacher. Hopefully they didn't get scammed as well!

Fantastic experience: Thank you for a great experience!

Fantastic experience: I hope that everyone can have the same exprience that I did. I was greatly benefit because it taught me the necessary skills to safely drive not only in the classroom but for the online program as well. The driving coach made me feel very comfortable in his way of constructive criticism. This family based practice was a perfect learning environment for all students.