Safestway Driving School

Negative experience: I was really disappointed with the customer service and overall experience we had with Safestway Driving School. The staff were very nice when I originally scheduled lessons, but the lack of communication with their driving instructor—and the outright lies they used as excuses for issues—was unprofessional and inexcusable. The instructor was a few minutes late to previous sessions, which I let slide. However, one session had major miscommunication about the date and time. When I scheduled the lesson, I wrote down and believed it was confirmed for 3 p.m. They did send a text reminder beforehand, but I didn’t check it. The instructor showed up at 1 p.m., and my son wasn’t ready. I immediately called and told him there was a mix-up, but my son would get ready quickly. He was outside within five minutes, yet I noticed on my Ring camera that they sat in the driveway for over 20 minutes. I called to find out what was going on and was told the instructor was waiting for payment. Since the lesson started earlier than expected, neither my husband nor I were home, and my son was trying to get payment info over the phone. If the instructor had allowed payment afterward, 30 minutes of driving time wouldn’t have been wasted. I admitted my mistake in not checking the text confirmation, but given the circumstances, it was unreasonable for them to refuse to make up at least some of that lost time—especially since most of it was wasted waiting for payment that would have been ready at 3 p.m. as we believed. Later on, I noticed on my Ring camera that the instructor was late again. I called the school, and they blamed traffic. He arrived about 5 minutes late, but what bothered me more was that my son was dropped off 15 minutes early. I reached out to Safestway, pointing out that 20 minutes of instruction time was lost. They said they would make up only 5 minutes of it and claimed my son had told the instructor he was “too tired to continue,” which is why the lesson ended early. I checked with my son, and he was shocked. He said the instructor told him they’d be arriving home a bit early and asked if that was okay—thinking it would be just a few minutes, my son said yes. He never once said he was tired, and the claim that the instructor asked him “several times” was a complete fabrication. On top of that, the instructor falsely told my son that I wasn’t returning their calls to reschedule an upcoming lesson, even though I had already called and rescheduled two days prior. After all of this, I contacted Safestway, explained my frustration, and requested a refund for the remaining lessons. They apologized and issued the refund. Two days later, while I was outside, the instructor pulled up to the house, apparently unaware that I had canceled the rest of the lessons. When I told him, he seemed surprised. This just proved how poor their communication is. Driving lessons are expensive, and the fact that they cut corners on time and then fabricated a lie to put blame on my son is unacceptable. My son even mentioned multiple times that the instructor wanted me to write good reviews for him. Unfortunately, given our experience, I cannot do that.

Fantastic experience: Safestway is great. 4th time using them for my kids. On time, well prepared vehicles, instructors who help anxious, uncertain teens gain the confidence they need. Youngest had a refresher and a go through for the driven test at DMV Concord two weeks prior. She passed on first attempt today. They are local, responsive and Steve was great. Highly recommend......but you've still got to survive the 50 hrs of driving witj your kid....buckle up.

Fantastic experience: Bob was the goat, helped me a lot

Fantastic experience: My instructor was AWESOME. I believe her name was Lynn. She was very helpful. I would recommend this driving school to anyone. Now that I took a class they will let me use their vehicle for my road test in March. Very very pleased. Thank you safestway!!

Fantastic experience: I took a driving lesson with Brent from Safest Way and would recommend Brent to other new drivers! Brent was kind, a very experienced driver and super helpful! If I could give Brent 10 stars I would!

Negative experience: Went good for almost the full two hours until the end where the instructor started insulting my driving, screaming, and slamming the brake. Won’t be scheduling again.

Fantastic experience: I already had experience driving, but I chose Safestway to gain more formal experience in preparation for the test. I was with Lisa, who was very patient and answered all of my questions. She even went the extra mile by letting me go to the site where I would be taking my test, also paying for the toll bridge along the way. This was money well spent, and I highly recommend Safestway.

Fantastic experience: Fantastic preparation for the drivers test and for real life situations. I had Brent twice as my instructor- very helpful!

Fantastic experience: Choose Safestway driving school and ask for Teresa. If it was not for her patient, calm and detail oriented style of teaching I would not have attained a DL. Teresa's years of experience, vast knowledge and kind demeanor is exactly what a nervous learner like me needed. She instilled confidence in me and helped me make progress with each lesson. Teresa is an expert instructor and after having experienced at least three different instructors previously (yes it took me a while!) there's no one else I'd ever recommend you learn with! Thank you Teresa for everything you do!

Fantastic experience: My instructor was Teresa and she was very helpful and taught me the key points of becoming a safe driver, I passed my behind the wheel test with nothing wrong and that is because of safestway!! I 100% recommend to any new drivers!

Fantastic experience: I had the instructor Lisa she was awesome great and clear on what to do in situations and was able to teach me in a way that made sense I passed my drivers test with a perfect score and highly recommend Lisa

Negative experience: I had a 2nd driving lesson today with the guy name Bob, I was so nervous when he talked to me that I need to drive the speed limit if it 40 is you have to drive that way I said us I know I do 35 because I don’t want to drive past because I’m not comfortable and I have time to react if their accident but he said listen to me I’m instructor here I’m been instructor for a long time so I know what I’m doing. I was so nervous and I try to cry because it’s ok if he will correct but not just have to higher his voice to me. I don’t have confidence to drive, I was remembered when I took my written exam when the questions ask me that if the speed limit is 40 what is driving speed limit if I answer 40 it wrong, the correct answer is 35 so how come he wants be to exact speed limit if I drive I’m just learning to drive So he should mad at me because I drive slow and beside no want behind us on the road we went through. I wish this company will let there instructor to teach their students with calm voice and not make their student nervous and pursing this student to drive in speed limit. Every time I say May idea he he always said stop listen to me, When I go out I walked a way he yelled. I didn’t not finished my driving lesson it’s a horrible experience in that instructor. Despite of the Bob scared me in my lesson to him . I would like to say thank you to Steve who help me how to drive on the freeway, Brent also who have patience and very nice, Lastly Allan and Daniels these instructors left me up and boost my confidence in driving and I passed my drive test , thank you so much Safeway instructors for you passion and patience to you students like me.

Fantastic experience: I have really good experience on my instructor name Lisa,i learned a lot from here and i just recently take my behind the wheel test and i past.thanks to Lisa for having patience.just recommend here to be your instructor.

Fantastic experience: I had a great experience these last two weeks. Though i already had my license i figured it wouldn’t hurt to get a refresher on the rules of the road and so i did a few lessons and my experience couldn’t have been better! My instructors name was Mrs. Lisa and she was very friendly and gave really good tips on driving and even taught me how to parallel park! She was always on time and always called me to let me know when she was on her way. Great communication, and a very friendly instructor, i give her a 10/10 for the experience and i recommend this place for anyone whose needing to learn how to drive and what not! P.S i would recommend Mrs.Lisa for anyone needing a good instructor.

Negative experience: Absolutely terrible, I made an appointment for a behind the wheel class, and the company cancelled it out of nowhere. They didn’t even let me know until i had to call them asking where the instructor was. Terribly managed

Negative experience: The website shows Saturday hours and a 1:30 pm closing time in Walnut Creek. In fact, they were closed. Please update your site if this is permanent, and likewise the sign on the door. Bummer.

Negative experience: I paid for my granddaughter to take 3 separate lessons. On the third lesson the instructor, Gina, while taking my credit card information, began to rant at me about politics. I did not engage with her. Her bandana-type mask did not cover her nose and kept falling down during her rant. According to my granddaughter, the instructor Gina ranted at her non-stop about who my 18 year old granddaughter should vote for and how awful the other candidate was. This upset my granddaughter and made it extremely difficult for my granddaughter to concentrate on driving. About half-way through the lesson the instructor stopped at her bank, leaving my granddaughter alone in the car. My granddaughter appeared visibly shaken when I arrived back to pick her up from the lesson. This is not professional. I do not recommend this instructor, nor a company that would hire such an unprofessional person.

Negative experience: Scheduled a 2 hr class for my husband a month before. The appointment was for a Sunday with Teresa who never showed up. They never called to apologize and they don’t even answer the phone. There are so many other driving schools around that prioritize customer service and have compatible prices. Unfortunately, I don’t recommend this one...

Negative experience: TLDR; DONT DO IT, ITS NOT WORTH YOUR TIME. No communication! I tried to set up an appointment four times and at BEST was shrugged off! This is what happened, and bear in mind it happened months ago but I was too angry to have posted a coherent review until now. To begin, emailed to make an appointment, had listed everything I had concerns with and even told them what option I was electing for. I waited days for a reply - I wasn't pressed, but eager to start! When I got a response I was informed I would be able to have my first lesson. as soon as Wednesday (the next day) which lucky for me was my one day off for the week! Couldn't have worked out better right? After that message, no further communication. Zilch. A "I'll book you for Wednesday" but nothing else. How do I pay? What should I have? Do you even have my address? (The answer is no. They had nothing). Uh oh. By 10pm I have a sinking feeling I'm about to be ghosted by a driving company (seriously) I call the next morning when they open, and explain my situation to the woman who answers and this is basically the conversation. "Oh, well [so and so] deals with the emails." "Oh so should I talk to her then?" "You'll have to call back." [Insert long silence, where I hear someone say aformentioned email reps name in the background followed by loud conversation.] "Then... maybe you can help me?" "Well I dont really deal with that. You'll have to call back later and see if she is free." End scene with a forced goodbye and I'm bitter about it 8 months later. Still, I tried calling later after that initial call to have no answer and tried emailing but never received a response to this day. As someone who was already incredibly nervous about driving, and hates spending sums if money above the 20s? I was ready to spend my money and learn! But apparently Safestway likes to

Negative experience: Had an appointment for my teenager daughter. The instructor, Bob, never came. I left multiple voice mail at their office, but no one is picking up phone, or responding. The appointment was confirmed on previous day. Not professional. Sure their quality is as good as their punctuality. Horrible.

Fantastic experience: Teresa was a great help.

Fantastic experience: Theresa helped me a lot and even showed me the area I might take my test in. She even put in the effort to help me make sure someone would be there to take me to my behind the wheel test.

Negative experience: The instructor was more worried about paper work he needed to finish and what was going on on his phone and actually paying attention to what I was doing. He made me stop so he can go to Burger King. I had never driven a car before and he took me on a main road and I was going too slow to where a cop asked me to go faster.... paid damn near 200 for a 2 hr class and learnt absolutely nothing. Wish we could give negative stars this company would get -5

Fantastic experience: If it wasn’t for Teresa, I would have never passed my driving test! Teresa’s so kind and patient, she’s willing to teach anyone how to drive(as long as you’re willing to learn, of course). My first lesson was comforting, I felt confident after two hours of driving, which for me felt impossible. I first started practicing how to drive with sandals, but when I met Teresa she had me wear athletic shoes, which made the driving process so much easier! Definitely do not wear sandals while driving. Overall, Teresa’s patience and attitude towards driving amazes me and I highly recommend her to anyone who feels nervous about driving or has an upcoming behind the wheel test! Tip: Teresa books up pretty quick, so make your appointments earlier!

Fantastic experience: Teresa is an excellent instructor. Great attention to detail and patient.

Fantastic experience: lt may be better to fill in that time with something so that the person interacting does not become frustrated.