Western Maine Driving Academy
Information about Western Maine Driving Academy
Opening hours
- sunday: (closed)
- monday: 9h-17h
- tuesday: 9h-17h
- wednesday: 9h-17h
- thursday: 9h-17h
- friday: 9h-17h
- saturday: (closed)
Our comment from DrivingSchools.Directory about Western Maine Driving Academy:
Western Maine Driving Academy is dedicated to providing a positive and enriching driving education experience for students of all ages. Many parents have expressed their gratitude for the support and guidance received from instructors like Samantha and Tanya, who are noted for their patience, professionalism, and ability to create a comfortable learning environment. Customers appreciate the flexibility in scheduling and the personalized attention given to each student, which helps them succeed in passing their driving tests on the first try.
Positive feedback highlights:
- Supportive and knowledgeable instructors: Students have praised instructors for their ability to make learning enjoyable and stress-free.
- Effective teaching methods: Instructors explain concepts clearly and ensure all students grasp essential driving skills.
- Positive driving experiences: Many have reported feeling safer on the road after their lessons.
However, some reviews indicate areas for improvement:
- Concerns regarding staffing shortages, leading to challenges in timely scheduling and completion of driving hours.
- A few families expressed dissatisfaction with price increases and additional costs for online classes.
- Issues with the punctuality of driving instructors for scheduled lessons were mentioned by some users.
Overall, Western Maine Driving Academy is recognized for its commitment to student success and helping them achieve their driving goals, making it a highly recommended option for driver education.
Western Maine Driving Academy: Reviews
Fantastic experience: Can’t thank Samantha enough for all the help with the private drive before my daughter’s exam. All three of my children went thru Western Maine Driving academy and we had a great experience all three times!
Thank you so much for your support! I was so happy for her and glad to help! I wish her all the best! It’s always so exciting to see them pass their driving exam! I am so happy to hear that you have enjoyed your experiences with us! It makes all the hard work worth it!
Samantha
Negative experience: They upped the price right before my daughter’s class. Total of $600. They only do 2 days of in person classes and inform you have to pay another $50 for an online AAA class, that they have to do on their own. She goes back for the written test, she is on time if not early. They started going over questions even earlier so my daughter missed out on stuff that could have been useful to her. Luckily she passed her test. They are short staffed so who knows she will get her driving time in, don’t up the price if you can’t provide said services in a timely manner. Was also not impressed when I pulled up to the very dark front of the school to pick up my daughter, to see the driving instructor leaving. Leaving a bunch of kids outside in the cold and dark. How hard is it to wait till everyone is picked up. Do not recommend.
We do apologize that you are dissatisfied with your personal experience with us. However, everyone was informed of the change in price and had the option to be removed from the list should they disagree with the price. The price increase was only $50 and occurred back in October due to increases in expenses as we all know inflation is a current issue in our economy and for businesses to continue running, they must compensate the costs. The AAA program is separate from us which is why it is a separate cost and again, everyone is informed of this prior to coming into a class. Also, we have stayed low as long as we could because we know driver’s ed is costly and hard for some parents to afford. We strive and work hard to accommodate everyone as much as we possibly can.
This is a AAA blended course in which everyone is told on the phone when signing up, so yes there are not many in person classes however there there is a parent orientation, two classes for the students, and their final exam, the remaining time is spent on their AAA and completing drives, as well as a weekly zoom where I personally check on the progress of all students taking the AAA and making myself available for any questions or concerns.
Yes, we are short staffed. This is not just us, all schools are lacking instructors because there are not a lot of people who are looking to do this job. All of our active instructors have been working to the best of their ability to complete drives as quickly as we can. We have even limited the amount of students that we take in for each class so that we can complete them quicker than if we were to fully book our classes which would cause people to have to wait an unacceptable amount of time getting finished, rather than to looking at the situation in only the best interest of the business. We are looking more at the best interest of the students, as we realize the process of getting their permit is a very exciting milestone in our student’s lives. We are working immensely and doing everything that we can, with the instructors we do have.
All students have the same opportunity to pass the exam, as long as they have put the required work into learning the information as discussed throughout the class, they do fine on the final exam. Once the class ends I (the instructor) dismiss all students at the end of our class and I am the last one to leave the classroom to make sure the students have not left anything behind or any trash, etc so that the room is as it was when we came in out of respect for the schools who kindly allow us to use these rooms. When I leave all students are gone, and if any students are outside waiting for their ride it’s because it was their choice to do so. They are always welcome to wait inside the school if their ride is running late.
Again, I’m sorry that you are dissatisfied. I would have very much appreciated your concerns to be vocalized through communication with us and we could have better addressed them.
Sincerely,
Samantha
OHWMDA
Fantastic experience: I passed my drivers test today due to Samantha!! Gives amazing advice & with my crazy work & college schedule she still worked with me!
Thank you so much for your review! I enjoyed our drives and was so happy that you were able to pass your test the first try after our private drive! So proud of you! Drive safe!
Samantha
Fantastic experience: Had an amazing time going through Western Maine Driving Academy with Sam !! The driving instructors are so sweet and patient. Thanks Sam
Fantastic experience: I had ten hours of good driving with Samantha They do need more loyal workers to help with time management Yet, overall, a nice learning experience
Fantastic experience: Great place to send you kids to learn how to drive. Sam is a great driving instructor she is very open minded and loves to create conversation
Fantastic experience: My grandson really enjoyed the class and driving time, Samantha was great. He’s my second grandchild this year to take this course from WMDA.
Fantastic experience: Had a wonderful experience with Western Maine Driving Academy. I had Sam as my instructor. She was very helpful when it can to Dirving, she helped my get my 10 hrs of Driving in, she also help answer questions when it came to the Final exam. And is very patient. Over all great experience.
Fantastic experience: Very kind and helpful people, I had dave as a driving instructor and he was so helpful and didn’t make it feel awkward! I really enjoyed learning how to drive with them! definitely recommend!
Thank you so much for your review. We are very happy that you enjoyed your driving experience with us
Fantastic experience: I had a wonderful experience with Tanya, my driving instructor, I feel very fulfilled with this experience. Thank you all for contributing your hard work and time to teach multiple kids!
Thank you so much for the review. You did a great job.
Fantastic experience: WMDA is amazing. My son had Tanya as his instructor for all of his drives, and I had the pleasure of riding along for their last drive. Tanya is very calm and patient, and has a way of explaining things that is very comfortable and easy to follow.. She is a master of her craft, and I couldn't be more pleased with the results. 5 stars from us, because WMDA, and Tanya, are nothing short of stellar.
Thank you so much for all the kind words. It was a pleasure working with Ethan. He did a really good job.
Fantastic experience: I absolutely loved learning to drive with my instructor, she was very kind and patient with me while learning, she describes things in perfect detail and corrects you instantly when you mess up and helps in the future!
Thank you so much for your review. You did an awesome job.
Fantastic experience: i loved driving with tanya 10/10
Thank you Abby. I enjoyed being your instructor for your drives as well.
Fantastic experience: I went through this school, it was super simple and the instructor was very helpful and supportive. I would definitely recommend you to take this course!
Thank you Denis. You did a really good job.
Fantastic experience: I loved my experience with this drivers Ed program. Everyone is super nice and my instructor was amazing!
Thank you for your review
Fantastic experience: Amazing experience with the academy amazing instructors! much love to Sam and Tanya for getting my hours in super fast! When driving they made me feel so comfortable and we could talk for hours about anything! they both are very clear with instructions and helping you learn the road!
Thank you for the review. I know Sam was your main instructor and I only got to drive with you for 2 hours but you did a really good job.
Fantastic experience: Love Love LOVED my wonderful drivers ed instructor! We would talk for hours about anything and make me feel comfortable around her! definitely recommend!
Thank you for your review. A lot of the students like Samantha.
Fantastic experience: highly recommend western maine driving academy, helped me pass my road test on the first try.
Thank you so much for your review.
Fantastic experience: Definitely recommend! They worked around my sons busy sports schedule and even on weekends. Thanks for the great experience!
Thank you for the review. Ryder did a really good job.
Fantastic experience: Highly recommend Western Maine Driving Academy ! I have two daughters, my oldest daughter took her driving instruction at another school (Roy's driving school) and honestly I was really not impressed with the driving instructor on the last parent drive, imo the instructor had poor teaching skills that were a bit confusing and then when my daughter made a little mistake the instructor seemed a bit crazy and would literally raise voice and yell which I think is very detrimental to a student. Now as far as my younger daughter being taught at Western Maine Driving Academy, I'm very happy with Tanya and i like her style in teaching my daughter, very professional, thorough, patient, and helpful. I have no idea about past instructors but Tanya is good to go and I think she is beneficial for a new driver...
Thank you for the review. I really enjoyed working with your daughter. She showed such great progress throughout every drive.
Fantastic experience: Very knowledgeable and skilled when it comes to the road and giving instructions. Tanya is amazing. Best driver instructor in the world! Highly recommended.
Thank you so much for the review DJ. I enjoyed having you as a student. You did such a good job. You showed great progress throughout your drives.
Negative experience: Very disappoint. Just had our son go through western Maine driving academy, I would NOT recommend them at all. If you are late to drive it is an additional $50. however, if they are late or no show, which they have done then it is ok? The kids sign up for the AAA online courses for additional money. There is no help, no follow up and they don't reply on time. HUGE Joke. Very disappointed. My son only went to the school twice, once when we signed up to give them money. All they did was bash another driving school which was very unprofessional. Everything is based off of the online AAA that you will need to pay additional for and get zero help from anyone at western Maine driving academy. 100% stay away from them.
I'm sorry if your experience was like that. Students don't get charged for being late. They get charged if they are a no call no show. As long as they call and let us know it is fine. I haven't received any calls requesting help. When I do receive those calls, I do help them. I'm not sure which instructor your talking about. I haven't received any complaints about an instructor being a no call no show, otherwise I would have addressed it. And as far as putting down other schools, I'm not sure why the instructor would have reason to do that where they've never worked for another school so they wouldn't know how other schools operate. We do have the zooms through out the month and a half that students are supposed to attend so they can ask any questions or address any concerns that they may have with the AAA, so we can get it fixed. Unfortunately, not all the students show up for the zoom. But the one's that do, we ask them if they are having any issues or have any concerns. So, I'm not sure how , I'm suppose to help if I haven't been contacted, where you stated that there was zero help from anyone within the company.
Fantastic experience: THE SKILL OF THIS ACADEMY!!!! They were phenomenal! The in person instruction was insightful and positive. After completing my AAA and permit test Tanya made sure I got each and every hour done. Tanya was patient, easy to talk to, and helpful when mistakes were made. She made sure to not only correct but also made sure I knew it is okay to make mistakes in the beginning as long as they didn't become habit. Overall, I feel safer on the road knowing I learned to drive here!
Thank you so much for the review. You did very well preforming all the maneuvers, lights intersections, etc. I am very proud of you
Fantastic experience: the new driving instructors are very nice, i had tanya and she made driving with her fun. i could tell i was improving with every drive because of her help. i got my hours done really fast too.
Thank you for the review. You did a really good job.
Fantastic experience: This place was so amazing and very easy to complete all your have to do is do your rides when she ask if you do that you’ll be done in a week. And very Friendly
Thank you Kyle. You did a really good job.
Fantastic experience: I had a really amazing experience with Western Maine Driving Academy. My instructor was super sweet and made me feel very comfortable every time I drove!
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed your driving experience with us. You did a very good job.
Fantastic experience: This is one of the best experiences I've ever gone through! My driving instructor Tanya helped me out immensely, I am very thankful that I had her. It was not awkward driving with her because she'd talk and shed allow me to play music! I recommend doing drivers Ed through here.
Thank you. I'm glad you enjoyed your driving experience. You did a very good job.
Fantastic experience: Great experience overall. The instructors and the class itself were great.
Thank you Gunnar. You did a great job.
Fantastic experience: Great experience, had a good time driving with them and it wasn’t difficult and overall just an amazing experience
Thank you Dominic. I'm glad you enjoyed your driving experience. You did a really good job.
Fantastic experience: absolutely wonderful!! i was terrified to drive after an awful experience at vance’s in windham, but tanya eliminated all of my stress! she is so patient, kind and accommodating. she explains maneuvers concisely, and whenever i made a mistake she would reassure me and have me repeat it, no issue! i got my road test a lot sooner than i thought i would, and she made sure to have time for me for lots of practice. thanks to her i got my license first try!! she is also in general just a fun person to be around! i have not driven with the other driving instructors, but upon speaking to them they were also very kind. i would highly recommend this driving school to everyone!!
Thank you Kylee. I'm glad you enjoyed your driving experience. I am so happy you passed your roadtest on the first try. I knew you could do it.
Fantastic experience: great driving experience! everyone was very kind a helpful!
Fantastic experience: Tanya is the best she is so sweet love her
Negative experience: Worst experience I had with driving school cancel driving appts on regular basis at time of appt. Cut class time hour short so children are also not prepared there. I would drive anywhere then use this school biggest mistake ever any good reviews are people who are friends with him. Made excuses car wasn't here while he drove past me in car 15 mins earlier worst school ever wish could get money back and enroll in different school.
Negative experience: Please do not waste your time and money with this driving school! The classroom portion of the instruction was adequate as this was primarily completed online via AAA due to covid. The remainder of the class (that the driving school was actually responsible for) was a complete nightmare!!!! Our son completed his classwork and passed the written permit test nearly 3 months ago it has taken numerous phone calls and text messages to get the driving instructor to schedule his driving time. There were multiple occasions when our son was scheduled to drive with the instructor, but the instructor (Elmer) never showed up at the designated meeting place and could not be contacted. It has taken us 11 weeks to get this instructor to drive 6 hours with our son!! Additionally in the midst of proving on road driving instruction/education to our son, the driving instructor was texting us asking that we have cash ready and stating that cash was the only form of payment accepted. We had paid in full months prior to this, by check. Not only was he clearly not paying attention to teaching our son how to drive it was very uncomfortable that he was requesting that we pay him directly and only in cash. I would absolutely never use or recommend this driving school!!!
Negative experience: So on the night you take you permit test the class was told 4 to 5 pm was the time at 7pm when Tony finished he was a poor excuse for a instructer. So at the begining of this class we parrents were warned repeadly about not being on time and fines would be assest.
Negative experience: Horribly! Seek driver education elsewhere! I paid dearly for drivers education. I got a hot mess! Owner/instruction had the nerve to explain her day care issues! personal problems and family issues with a 16 year old!. Unprofessional.!!
Fantastic experience: They also teach at mount blue to
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