Donohue's Driving School

Fantastic experience: Great driving school! Highly recommend! Seamless process

Negative experience: Liguei para a escola mas quem me atendeu não soube me ajudar pois não fala português e não passou para alguém que fala. Vamos para a próxima auto escola.

Fantastic experience: I went to Donahue's driving School to take some lessons to be able to get my license. My instructor was Mark he was very helpful and professional on the way he explained things he didn't just tell me if I did something wrong he would show me how to do it properly the next time. After a few lessons I had my road test today and I passed my license exam I recommend going to Donahue's driving school for people who were trying to get their license or who are just trying to get the road time they are very professional and they are pleasant and helpful. I recommend them for anybody who is looking for a professional drive-in school where the instructors show you and teach you the right way to do everything. A personal thank you to Mark for being patient with me and helpful on helping me to complete my lessons and explaining to me what I was doing wrong and showing me how to do it.

Fantastic experience: In the last 2 years both my boys have gone through Donoghue's and both times have been super easy. I never had a problem scheduling their on the road classes and the kids looked forward to them - which says a lot about the instructors.

Fantastic experience: Donohue’s is the best! Kathy cares deeply for all of her students, scheduling driving sessions was easy, and calls/emails all returned promptly. It has been a wonderful experience working with this driving school!

Negative experience: To add to my review from earlier. Kathy just called my cell right now Wednesday 6/26 at 8:49PM to complain about my review and stated “We are done i will contact the registry and you are on your own” she’s hung up on me 3 times because she didn’t like that i stood my ground!! Everything i have stated here i emailed to her and she never acknowledge any of it but when i write a public review i gor her attention!!!!!!! UNprofessional! I’m calling a spade a spade and Donohue driving school is NOT for the community of Hudson! I will be letting everyone know about my disgusting experience. Save yourself a headache and look elsewhere!

Negative experience: I really hate leaving a negative review on small business but my experience with Kathy has not been great to say the least! Kathy is very unprofessional, the turnaround time for a call back or an email is DAYS! Why do i have re follow up on a call or email i left days ago? She has mixed up my son hours more than once and never has taken accountability for it. Her tracking system is her word and notes she writes down on each student note card. There is no RELIABLE source for hour tracking or appointment keeping and if SHE makes a mistake you end up paying for it. If my son was not so close to finishing the course i would find another company. If you choose to have your child attend Donohue PLEASE have all communication in writing so you have some sort of proof and keep track of everything. Do not trust Kathy to do so.

Fantastic experience: Donohue's is an amazing driving school. Throughout my driving journey Kathy was my instructor. She is truly an inspiration. It's very rare to see people do something because they really love it, and Kathy has been teaching driving for 40 years and you can tell she loves teaching driving. And I don't need to say this but she does an amazing job. I went from being scared to take the car out of the parking lot to driving on highway in mere 2 months only driving with her. All the classes were tailored to my comfort. If she sensed that I am able to perform the maneuvers taught previously without hesitation or thought, she moved to the next lesson. But if I seemed hesitant she let me practice a bit more. Especially, when I was taught parallel parking, I was baffled as for why do people think parallel parking is difficult. its a piece of cake. But most importantly she developed my confidence in driving. I have seen most people learning to park or driving in between the lines based on certain mental markers on the car. She instead taught to control a car, in her words "think of where you want the car the go". With this approach you are able to drive any car. And most importantly she never used the words "no/don't". She did not focus on the mistakes I made while learning. Instead she always told what is to be done rather than what not to do. With this approach i learned to focus on what is the next thing to do rather than mull over the wide turn or a missed blinker. All in all it took about 17 classes for me to learn but I had never driven at all earlier, so it was pretty quick for me.

Fantastic experience: I had a great experience with Donohue's. My instructor Kathy was very patient with me and encouraged me to go for the road test when I wasn't confident myself. She even gave me a discount on a class after running late for a previously scheduled one. Highly recommend, especially for adult drivers!

Fantastic experience: In response to J V: We're pleased to hear that you enjoyed your experience with Donohue's. It's the support of our past students and the local community that have allowed our business to thrive for the past 40 years. We thank you for the positive feedback and for choosing us for your driver education needs. We wish your son a safe and successful driving career. In response to Lucia Eagers: We're not really sure why your daughter not being able to get a license exam with CMSC as one of their students has become our problem and makes us rude. Your issue should be with them, not us. As I stated last night I would appreciate it if you stopped involving us with irrelevant information regarding your daughter and her issues with another driving school. In response to Ana Luiza Mota: I've been waiting for your review as promised. Unfortunately when we are harassed and threatened by disgruntled parents we feel that it is no longer in our best interest to continue doing business in a hostile manner. As I have stated many times to you and your daughter throughout the driver education program, failure to properly execute hand signals during a road exam results in an immediate failure. This is a rule enforced by the Registry of Motor Vehicles. She was given 3 chances by the examiner at the beginning of her road test, but unfortunately she was unsuccessful with a right turn signal. Throughout the course of the program, including her on-roads, these were reviewed with her over 10 times. I'm not sure how this makes me rude, unorganized, ignorant and underhanded (whatever that means), or playing dumb. If you're going to air your calumnies in a public forum at least tell the entire story. Now as I have asked you earlier please stop harassing me. Thank You,

Fantastic experience: This is a really well run operation. They are very efficient with their scheduling and, they pick up the phone or, return a message. On top of being competent- they taught my son well- Kathy and Mark are also very personable. In this day and age a personable, friendly, welcoming business owner seems to be unique a trait- but something, I value highly. Without any hesitation, I would highly recommend Donahues.

Fantastic experience: We are so grateful to have found this wonderful school. Kathy and Mark are not only incredibly kind, they really know what they are doing - they've done this for decades, and they treat the kids with respect. Rather than lecture and scare, their philosophy is to support and encourage them, so they want to be good and responsible drivers. My kids really appreciated their positive approach. They also are super clear on exactly what you need to learn and why, they make parallel parking easy and no stress, and they make the whole experience of learning, practicing, and passing the tests surprisingly pleasant and even fun. We can't say enough about how grateful we are to these lovely people.

Negative experience: My son went here years ago and I found the experience very stressful, poor communication from the company and much difficulty setting up driving times. Owners were sometimes quite rude.

Negative experience: DO NOT GO HERE. It's been years, but this driving school is incapable of teaching anyone. They want you to come with full knowledge of driving. It seems like they just want to make easy money by sitting in the passenger seat and gossiping. They use your practice driving time to run errands. Racially biased.

Fantastic experience: Mark and Kathy were incredibly kind and understanding from day 1. They make the process simple and want you to do well. I would highly recommend their school!

Negative experience: Worst Experience! So furious..What a waste of time and money. So unprofessional and off topic. Signed up in june i was just told kicked all the way to October!! Would NOT recommend these folks at all

Fantastic experience: Very happy to recommend Mark and all at Donohue's Driving School. Myself and my wife both used their service recently as we had to convert our licenses and they were very helpful, professional and knowledgeable.

Positive experience: Learned to drive here. Most of the instructors are good. The owners are nice people.

Fantastic experience: My daughter had a great experience with Donohue's Driving School from start to finish. Mark and Kathy did a wonderful job organizing their program during the pandemic. They were able to schedule driving times and licensing exams while under a huge amount of stress and pressure. Mark and Kathy are also incredibly kind and fun! Thank You!

Fantastic experience: The business is just wonderful. Mark and Kathi are very helpful and super nice. My son felt very comfortable with all the drivers. The safety of the student and teacher during this trying time was right on point. I felt very safe sending my son. I look forward to my daughter going through Donahue’s driving school.

Fantastic experience: Im very surprised to see negative reviews. I have my 3rd child taking lessons right now. They are wonderful and affordable. Love the Sat road tests close to home where my children are more familiar with the roads so they are not as nervous. If I had a 4th child, I would send him/her there too!

Negative experience: The male driving instructor, mark, who I believe is married to the owner, once made very sexist comments on women driving and when I called to complain, I never got a response. Would not go here.

Fantastic experience: Would highly recommend driving lessons from Donohue driving school. Even after just one lesson, I felt more confident behind the wheel (never driven a car before). Mark is an amazing instructor, very knowledgeable and professional. He made the driving lesson an exciting and enjoyable experience as opposed to stressful for a new driver. Definitely recommend Donohue driving school for anybody learning to drive for the first time or trying to improve their skill. Once again thank you Mark for your amazing support throughout!!

Negative experience: I agree with the 1 star reviewers. Spot on! Soooo unprofessional. The instructors constantly stop to do errands, they bad mouth (including the owner Kathy) other kids (stupid not to realize the kids text their friends about what he/she said). Their communications is horrible. They admit they hardly look at their emails, and say the best way is to call them and they will respond in the evening (so you play phone tag). My daughter was so stressed taking the lessons because she heard from other kids what the instructor said about her and other kids. And the best one was after one of the kids drove into the side of OUR garage (little damage) and my husband wanted to discuss the damage (and would have said don’t worry about it) when Kathy became hysterical SCREAMING at him denying any damage. My daughter was so embarrassed she went inside the house, and didn’t have her lesson. The instructor said to the kids (who watched Kathy’s tantrum) “good, I didn’t want to drive with her anyway. She’s a bad driver” My daughter’s friend text her right away about the comment before she got out of our driveway. A week later, Kathy said “her father is crazy” referring to the incident. Again, a friend text my daughter to tell her what was said. I had written down notes with times and dates when instructors were doing personal errands, when and what they said about other kids, dates and times they showed up early or late and always insisted my daughter was wrong, and a whole host of other issues, but my daughter begged me not to send a letter because she just wanted to finish her classes and be done with the humiliation. I don’t think people are aware of how they are running their driving school. And admittedly I didn’t know either when both my boys took the classes. With my older son, I found out about one of the instructors was doing a lot of errands (I’m not opposed to a quick errand) and contacted Cathy. Cathy apologized and said we didn’t have to pay the remaining balance (a lot-$300 to $400) and said she would take care of it. I thought she handled it really well and of course I am happy for the extra money. I have heard similar stories (about other driving schools) Maybe this is the new norm?’?

Fantastic experience: Excellent instructor. He has great ways of explaining things. Very patient and nice.

Fantastic experience: Mark is an excellent teacher who is very patient and wants you to succeed. He is good at encouraging students and helping them to get over the fear of driving. He teaches you both how to drive properly and also how to pass the road test with very straightforward, expert guidance. I nailed parallel and reverse parking on first try with his help. My only complaint was that there were a couple vague fees that I wasn’t told about until later. In total it took $360 for me to take 2 private lessons, take the road test, and get my permit signed, not including the $85 additional state and license fees when I got to the RMV. However, I passed my road test on my first try (thank God) and my license is coming in the mail in a week. In the end I got what I needed in a timely and hassle-free manner. I would definitely recommend this place.They also provide the car for you to take the road test in Hudson if you don’t want to take the road test in Worcester which I would recommend. Hudson is a much less stressful, safer place to drive around in.

Fantastic experience: love them

Fantastic experience: My daughter just finished her Drivers Ed course @ Donahue’s Driving School yestetday,Feb./2019.My son took the course approximately 5 years ago also.I am writing this to inform people that I would recommend this family owned @ run school for their upcoming driver.Ive had the pleasure of speaking with Kathy many times on the phone during my children’s classes in regards to questions,that were always answered professionally.I live in Stow & approx. 85% of my friends/clients children have attended Donahue’s & that includes their younger siblings.That speaks volumes.I recommend Donahue’s Driving School for your upcoming family driver.Kim O’Connor

Fantastic experience: The best driving school ever there are good people

Fantastic experience: Hi All, I just want to say “they are not good but they are best of the best driving school”. I was giving test with another driving school and they gave me more than 15 lessons but I failed 5 times and finally , I was having only last attempt in my hand. Luckly I did google and found Donahue and explain them about my problem and my experience with other driving school, Mark and Cathy motivated me lot and you don’t believe only in 1 class Mark told me that I am good for test but my confidence level was very low because of 5 failure attempt so I wanted 1 more class and Mark did arrange but still my confidence was very level, Mark & Cathy called me mulitiple time and motivated me lot. They are very very friendly. Finally, Test day came and I drove like Michel Shumaker and cleared the test after 15 Min driving. I will never forget their support and motivation in my whole life. Mark & Cathy, you both are great !!!! Thanks -1000 times to you.

Fantastic experience: Went there for the school and the road test, they are fantastic, very patient, and help you with the schedule to meet our needs, and very, very patient, can't say enough about them..................Patricia

Fantastic experience: Best place to learn how to drive they teach you everything you need to know before your road test I suggest if you want a driving lesson go here

Fantastic experience: I recently used Donohue’s School to get my license as an adult. I took private lessons and they sponsored and set up my road test. Their instruction is great and they are a really nice group of people. Quick to return phone calls and well organized. I would recommend them to anyone.

Fantastic experience: This driving school is awesome, I can say from experience, they thought me everything I needed to pass my road test, he explains everything clearly and in a concise manner, the lessons are pricey but its a good place to learn how to drive. He will teach you everything you need to pass the test.

Negative experience: There needs to be ZERO stars. The lady who answers the phone has the pleasantries of a hemheroiid. And don't DARE tell the guy who runs the joint. They will change your schedule cause you grief, steal your money with fees and then after all that they have a HUGE cancelling fee of your unhappy. I am reporting them to the state AFTER my son gets their license, as I'm sure if they got a whiff they would fail him in Spite.

Negative experience: Class room was fine. Actual driving was terrible. Instructor told student to speed up in a school zone because she forgot to get gas, and they were very low. Instructor had student pull over so she could call Grandson on cell phone. Not quality instruction in my opinion. many more situations similar to this, but we were told this is "normal" in this type of environment. ******UPDATE: TRUTH HURTS, NOW THEY WON'T TAKE MY DAUGHTER OUR FOR HER DRIVING EXAM BECAUSE OF ABOVE REVIEW. NICE! STAY AWAY