Thank you Robert!!!! Thank you Bath Beach Driving School! I'm not one to write a review but after having passed my road test today how could I not? One must definitely give credit where credit is due and I would not have been able to do it on my own. My husband initially taught me how to drive and I had been avoiding taking the road test for the past 2-3 years, because who likes tests anyway? I was fairly confident I could drive and didn't want to put off taking the test any longer. There is a driving school down the block from where I live and my husband contacted them first, provided them with my number and said they would contact me but I never received a call from them. After waiting a week for a call-back that never came, my husband looked online and found Bath Beach Driving School. He placed a call and immediately got all our questions answered. I ended up signing up for the 5-hour class and took the class the same week we called. I took the class on December 17, 2017. Right after the 5-hour class, I paid for and signed up for an hour driving lesson and road test. Remember, I was fairly confident "I could drive" and just wanted to get this over with. I thought an hour driving lesson would suffice but they recommended more hours and said that they could not guarantee I would pass the road test with just an hour lesson but it was my decision to make. I decided to just go with the one hour lesson and road test. I figured at worst case scenario if I failed, then I would sign up for more classes. I was told I would receive a call from them once my road test was scheduled. Sure enough about a week later, I received a call with a road test date of January 2, 2018 in Staten Island, as I had requested. Robert, my driving instructor was awesome! He taught me everything I needed to know. He will not sugar coat it, he can be tough but it's all for your benefit. Listen to him, do as you are told and you will pass. Before teaching me anything, since I "knew" how to drive Robert said "show me what you got." After asking me to parallel park, K-turn, etc...he said "for purposes of the road test you can't drive...you would have failed! But the good thing is if you listen to me and do exactly as I say you can pass..." Thanks to Robert I passed my road test today!!! Not only is he a great instructor, he is a wonderful person with a lot of wisdom and great sense of humor. I'd also like to add that another one of his students was with us today and she passed as well :) I highly recommend Bath Beach Driving School & Robert! I had a great experience from beginning to end. read more

WARNING: LONG, BUT HOPEFULLY, HELPFUL REVIEW. Before finding Bath Beach Driving School on Yelp, my history with driving schools and instructors had been sub par at best. I was used to driving schools not telling you information unless you asked questions and instructors that treated my lessons like their lunch breaks. I had instructors who would lay back and play games on their phone, smoke cigarettes and even fall asleep. The actual lessons themselves didn't involve much learning in terms of what to do, what not to do or how to improve. Obviously, with no confidence I had failed my road test and never wanted to drive again. I told myself, it's okay - I live in NY, I can just take the train or the bus. After 9 years, I finally had the courage to try again and with the helpful reviews on Yelp, I found Bath Beach Driving School, and my life changing instructor, Robert. From start to finish, the entire process of signing up to taking my road test was so easy and wonderful. The staff are all incredibly friendly and informative. They take the time to call you with reminders of your lessons and verify information so everyone is on the same page. I also took my 5 hour class at Bath Beach Driving School and it was nothing like I expected. I went in expecting a boring video possibly with a test at the end. This was NOT the case. 5 Hours came and went with ease thanks to Robert's interactive way of teaching. On my first day of lessons, I was so nervous and petrified of what would happen behind the wheel, but out of the car comes Robert, his handlebar (mustache), and a friendly smile. He put me in the driver's seat and off we went. During my first lesson, I had learned more than I had ever learned previously. He was so informative in terms of what to improve on and what to pay attention to. Most of all, he was positive and friendly which put me at ease. As each lesson went by with Robert "nagging me" (as he likes to call it) my driving improved more and more each time. I can not stress how much of that was thanks to Robert and the time and dedication he gave to teaching me. If you have him as an instructor, and you should, he will say to you, "This is not a job to me, I want to help you change your life." And that is exactly what Robert did for me. I passed my road test yesterday in Coney Island, and I'm still in a little shock as I write this review, but I couldn't have done it without Robert and Bath Beach Driving School and I can't thank them enough! read more

This is a really great driving school. The people who work there are equally as great. After checking multiple driving schools around the area I landed on Bath Beach. The reviews alone made me choose this place. I first came her for the 5 hour pre-licensing class which is needed in order to drive in NY. I went for the Saturday morning class with Robert (teacher). Really nice older gentleman who made everybody feel comfortable in the class. After completing the class I was given the certificate to prove I had finished the class. The same day I chose to purchase the 6 lesson package. I actually received an extra lesson for free because I booked within a week of taking the 5 hour class. The package included 6 lessons (+ the free one), the car for the road test and the school scheduled the road test. They got back to me about a week later telling me they had a date scheduled for the road test and if I was ok with he date and time. After confirming I was good with the test they told me to call them back when I was ready to schedule the lessons. I called back a couple of weeks later to schedule my 7 lessons. I took 1 lesson a week for 5 weeks and then 2 the last week. My usual Wednesday lesson and the lesson before my road test on the Friday following that. My first lesson was with Robert, the same gentleman mentioned earlier. Even though he was a good instructor, I wasn't really able to learn from him since that was the first time I ever drove and I was very nervous to drive in rush hour traffic. The next 6 lessons were with Anthony. Those lessons were extremely fun and really helped me out. He gave me tips on a bunch of different things. He told me stories of students who had taken their road test and how they might have failed. There was even funny stories from what others have encountered while taking the road test. With hat being said I was able to pass my road test on the very first try. Anthony really was a great instructor. If you're able to take lessons on weekdays, I would highly recommend requesting Anthony. If you're looking to take your road test or just have a few refresher lessons, definitely check Bath Beach out. I'll be going back soon for the 6 hour defensive driving test so I can lower my future car insurance payments Thanks Anthony and Bath Beach Driving school for helping me pass my road test on the first take. Also thanks for the congratulatory keychain that was given to me for passing. read more

I decided to invest in a driving school after several really bad lessons with schools in upstate New York and local schools in Bath Beach / Bensonhurst area. Of course, my sister passed on her first try with Bath Beach Driving and she raved about how helpful they were. Since I had my summer off, I knew it was the time to use their help, and FINALLY get my license. To make the long story short, I passed my road test this week on the first try. I took the 10 lesson package (1 free complimentary lesson), and my lessons were mostly with Anthony, who was super helpful and chill about allowing you to drive, and making/learning from your own mistakes. However, I really appreciated and learned a lot from having Robert, Marcus and Barbara (who took me for my road test, and gave me a 2 hr lesson right before the test). If you're thinking about signing up for this school I highly highly recommend spending a little extra $ and taking a few extra lessons, and I personally benefitted from having a variety of instructors because each of them gave me their own "tips and tricks." But, that's just the way I learned most effectively, while my sister stuck strictly to having Anthony. In addition, if you're thinking about taking a 6 or 10 lesson package I suggest booking 10 lessons right off the bat with them - choosing the dates, etc because certain instructors tend to get booked up fast. Additionally, their staff is super friendly, and always super organized. They always call you to remind you about your road lesson the day before, and they help schedule your road test - all those annoying administrative paperwork - they handle and take care for you. They provide the car and you just need to show up on the day of the road test...and pass. More importantly, I felt like this school/their instructors taught me how to drive safely* (where to look, potential situations to avoid, being careful about following road rules) and not just teaching me to drive simply to pass the road test. It is defensive driving at its best. I recommend this school very much (Especially if you've had bad previous driving school experiences, or you're just anxious about being on the road). They build your confidence. The only thing is, during the road lessons, really make sure to ask questions if you don't understand how to do or correct a certain maneuver. Internalizing the feedback is super important! read more

I was really apprehensive about learning to drive but it was time. Initially I thought the packages were a little expensive but I decided to go with the 10 course package. It was really worth the money. They work backwards and book the date for your driving exam first (my exam was first week of 12/15 and i started my classes 10/15). They also ask where you would like to take your exam. I scheduled it for Staten Island. So the lessons are evenly spaced out and you won't have a long period of time where you're not practicing. I think that really helped especially with all the holidays. It motivated me to keep practicing even when I thought I wouldn't have time. I also recommend booking almost all of your lessons ahead of time because sometimes your instructor might be too booked for that week. I tried out almost all of the instructors but I thought Anthony and Frank were the best. Anthony was the instructor for the day of my exam, so I booked him for majority of my classes (it's good to get used to the car you will be taking to the exam). He's really amazing. He gives great direction, and he's very patient. He really made me feel reassured. He'll answer all of your questions and won't make you feel dumb for asking them. He'll also explain to why and how your mistakes could have happened and how to prevent it. He gave pointers that really stuck with me and helped. I also took most of my classes in the evening after 6 PM, and I was probably his last student of the day. He was never grumpy or short with me because it's probably been a long day already. They also pick you up from your house and either you drive yourself back home, or the student after you will drive you home. That made it very convenient for me. (some other driving schools won't pick or drop you off.) Anthony really had my back on the day of the driving exam too. He walked me through what the process is like and I felt like I really could do it. I passed my road exam on the first try and even the examiner told me I did a good job too!! It was super rewarding to learn how to drive and felt even better knowing I had such a good school to teach me. Also after I passed my exam, I got a letter from Bath Beach Driving School congratulating me on passing! I thought that was nice. I will be going back for highway lessons. read more

If you need a driver's license then sign up at Bath Beach Driving School. I highly recommend this place. I was so impressed with the service.They want you to get your money's worth and pass the road test first time around. I had a great experience at this place. The 5 hr class was very instructional, really told us everything we needed to know and more.We watched some videos and he provided us with information. Such as what to expect during the driving test. It was a very friendly open environment. Robert did an amazing job teaching the class and he was also my instructor. You would think the class would be boring and long but no it was never a dull moment. The class was very interesting, he kept in entertaining. It was enjoyable and you actually learn something too! He is very experienced and knows what he is talking about. Excellent service, very professional and decent pricing. Very nice people! They handled everything for me, the booking, the car and driver for the test. They always had a slot available around the time that I needed and was never inconvenienced. They went beyond getting me a test at a very busy time.The staff is amazing and I would like to give them a big thanks for all their help. When you go ask for Robert. He is a MUST! Simply the best. I had the chance to have Robert as my instructor whose patience is gold. He is always on time and always looking to help. He make you comfortable behind the wheel. He really takes his time to make sure you are comfortable and equipped to pass your road test. He knows your weak points and will work on them until you perfect them. Very honest, he will tell you if you need more lessons or if you are ready for your road test. Listen to his advice, again he knows what he is talking about. I took 7 lessons and I successfully passed the road test last Friday! Special thanks to my great instructor Robert, he is one of the best instructors!!! I can now proudly say, I'm a confident driver as a result of my experience at Bath Beach Driving School. read more

I took my road test today for the first time and I passed thanks to bath beach driving school and thanks to my instructor Robert. During my time at bath beach driving school, I had 3 different instructors. My first instructor with them was nice and patient but never really told me what I was doing right and what I was doing wrong. That's when I decided to change and take my remaining lessons with Lenny. He was very kind and patient too. However, later I find out in registered for my road test with robert. I was sad to leave Lenny and didn't know what to expect with Robert. He turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I ended up finished my last 5 lessons with him and my driving got a ton better. My first lesson with him was a disaster because what I thought was right, ended up being wrong. Robert focused on all my weaknesses and worked with me to fix them. His advice stuck in my head and even when I'd practice on my own, I would still remember what he'd tell me. He makes his students feel great when they are doing the right thing and works with them patiently and efficiently when they are struggling. He made me feel comfortable driving with him and that eased my nervousness. On the day of my test, I was extremely nervous. I had difficulties making proper turns and Robert worked with me on them for a long time prior to my appointment time. He pointed out things I did wrong that I didn't even know were wrong and made sure I only had positive thoughts. When I'd mention "oh I'll just retake it" he would say "no you won't because you are going to pass" That made me feel a lot better. I really really recommend a prospective driving student to take lessons with Robert. He only wants he best for his students and knows all the right ways to help them. Robert, if you're reading this, thank you oh so very much for helping me. Couldn't have done it without you and without the wonderful staff at bath beach driving school read more

These guys are the best! Thorough, and truly care about teaching you. I took most of my lessons with Lenny. A very easygoing, and clear instructor. He's very patient and let's you figure it out while guiding you in the right direction. However the day of my road test, he wasn't available so my final lesson was with Robert. I was nervous about a lot of things, a new car, a new instructor, it was an adjustment before the test. But with Robert's meticulous instruction, it went smoothly. An hour before the test Robert taught me some last minute things, and reviewed the key things for the road test, then we headed over to Seaview. While we were waiting for the proctor I got a bit anxious, and seeing that, Robert distracted me with his funny stories and pleasant conversation. By the time it was my turn to take the test I was completely calm and ready. I passed with ease and was ecstatic! I hugged Robert thanked him for everything and he drove me home. We got into a bit of traffic but the time flew by with him in the car. Robert is the best instructor you could hope for, if you wanna pass the test that is. He cares about each and every one of his students on a personal level. He is charming, hilarious, and keeps great company. A little over a month later, I took a highway lesson with him. Which ended in chauffeuring Robert around and him giving me a tour of the city. Truly amazing how much he knows about it, and how passionately he speaks of it. Sincerely grateful to everyone at the Bath Beach Driving School. Couldn't have passed on my first try without you guys! Keep up the good work, doing what you do, putting safe drivers out on the streets! read more

I highly recommend taking your lessons at Bath Beach Driving School . To begin with, I was greeted by an office staff who made me feel comfortable by being personable and friendly. Thank you Deborah and Andrea for your explanation of certain processes and for never making me feel that my call or my questions weren't important enough to get an in depth answer or that you were so busy that you didn't have the time to give me a thorough answer. Barbara, the owner of the driving school is very down to earth & very pleasant and goes out of her way to assist you with your needs. Thank you Barbara! Most importantly I was blessed to have Robert as my instructor. He was my shining light at the end of the tunnel. Robert is patient, kind, and a dynamite teacher & person. He is gentle and honest and that is just what I needed and I think that a lot of others need as well. I was fortunate to also take the 5 hour class here and let me tell you- it was interesting, funny, and very knowledgeable. I had Robert for this as well. We laughed and weren't afraid to talk or ask questions . The interaction was wonderful and most importantly I learned a lot. I'm amazed and thrilled that I passed my road test on my first try. I still cannot believe it- at 55 years old , I have been empowered as a woman and inspired even more by Robert ! He is a gifted instructor with all the tools that you will need to be successful in passing your Road test and to be a responsible driver. Book your classes now at Bath Beach Driving School! You will not regret it!! read more

I had a fantastic experience with Bath Beach Driving School. I took 11 hourly lessons with them over a period of about two months and managed to pass the road test on my first try. Before taking lessons, I had never been behind the wheel of a car. I didn't even have access to a car for extra practice. That is a testament to how good they are at teaching. The school itself has a very homely atmosphere and is filled with friendly staff. They are accommodating in setting up a schedule for your lessons and test. They call you 1 day before each lesson for confirmation and as a reminder. They also pick you up in front of your home. I had lessons as early as 8 AM and as late as 5 PM and my instructor was always early. My instructor was Robert, a very courteous man with lots of experience and dedication. He will teach you the the rules of the road, the correct way to handle your car, and the correct way to perform the maneuvers needed for the road test. It was honestly very difficult for me in the beginning since I had never driven before. But Robert was very patient and observant throughout the way. He helped by reinforcing good driving habits and skills, while preventing bad ones from developing. I could tell he was invested in my success and that was very encouraging. Most importantly, he made me feel comfortable while driving and gave me the confidence I needed to pass. I can't thank him enough. read more

Tom is hands-down one of the best driving instructors out there. His teaching style is not only effective but also creative and fun, which made a huge difference for me as someone who was very nervous about learning to drive. He used unique tools like a Mario Kart mushroom toy to explain how the wheel should look after you're pulling out of your parking spot (upside down), figurine cars to demonstrate tricky maneuvers, and simple concepts like "pizza" and "eleven" to make parking techniques easy to understand and remember. These little tricks entertaining and they stuck with me and helped me feel confident, even when I was driving with the examiner. What I appreciated most about Tom was his patience and encouragement. He was always on time, calm, and reassuring, even when I made mistakes. He genuinely believed in me and reminded me that nerves were the biggest thing standing in the way of success. Having that kind of support made all the difference, and his positive attitude and even small gestures like offering gum really helped me stay relaxed. If you're looking for someone to really teach you how to drive, I can't recommend Tom enough. His methods are not just about passing the road test. They more importantly prepare you for the long term. Thanks to him, I passed my test with flying colors. Thank you Tom! read more

I can't recommend this school enough, and more specifically, Robert. I started taking classes over a year ago, but after 4 lessons, my nerves got the best of me and I stopped. This year, I decided to continue my lessons after retaking the 5-hour class. I got Robert as my teacher the whole way through and he was just the best. I came into the lessons not remembering a thing about driving and being so nervous, but Robert was incredibly patient, kind, and a great conversationalist. He teaches you exactly what you need to do, but keeps the mood light and upbeat. My lessons with him went by so fast because we would joke and talk back and forth, but at the same time, I learned a lot from them. He really really cares about his students, and that's what separates him from all the other teachers out there. He knows that qualifying for a driver's license is more than just getting a card, but that it's a life changing experience. And that's what he's there to do-- he's there to change lives and that's what he's done for me. My first road test was today and I was incredibly nervous, but Robert helped me keep my nerves intact, told me he knew I could do it, and I ended up passing! My family and I are so grateful to him and I can't thank him enough. read more

This driving school I highly recommend to those who are beginners and have no experience of driving like my self. For this driving school I took the package deal with 10 lessons and the 11th one free which was totally worth it! Great staff, well mannered, and cooperative I had no issues or problems with them at all. They always remind you the day before for the appointments you book which is helpful. The two instructors that help me were Robert and Lenny. Both of these instructors are my favorite, I ABSOLUTELY recommend these two! Robert was the one who took me for my road test at Fr. Capodanno in Staten Island. I had a lesson before my road test which also was great. That day of my road test it was raining which made me even more nervous, but with Robert's great sense of humor I completely end up forgetting I was there. With Robert and Lenny's courageous words, I decided to go first with driving for my road test because there was me and another person there. And with all the doubt I had and wanting to change the road test to later date they told me I could do it, and they knew I could and I went of with there judgement and I passed on my first try! January 3rd, 2017 I was marked a license driver! Thank you Robert and Lenny!!!! read more

Three friends of mine successfully got their Driving Licenses after education in Bath Beach Driving School, so I also came there for 5 hour Pre-Licensing Course, and 10 one-hour driving lessons (as bonus I got additional 11th lesson scheduled for the day of my Road Test - for free). As result of my education, I got my Driving License from first attempt of Road Test! Organization of educating process was very good. I paid for lessons and selected dates/times when I can attend my driving lessons. Driving school managed all other details, including scheduling road test appointment and providing me with a car for my road test. I am very thankful to my driving instructor Mr. Robert Calandra. This gentleman is very experienced driver and tutor, he cares very much about his students, and does his best in order to teach students for safe driving habits and courteous interaction with other participants of traffic. Mr. Robert has excellent sense of humor, and he was very patient to answer dozens of my questions which appeared in my brain while driving lessons. So all my lessons were both interesting and efficient. It was a good luck to learn with such great instructor! All my best wishes for you, Mr. Robert! read more

First of all let me start by saying that all the employees are great, professional and friendly. As soon as I walked in the very first day I knew I made the right choice in choosing them to learn how to drive. I booked the 10 lesson package which included the 5 hour class, an 11th lesson for free scheduled the same day as the road test, and they also let you use their vehicle for the test. Being that I booked a lot of lessons I got a chance to drive with Megan, John, Frank and of course Robert. Every one of the instructors were awesome and made me feel comfortable from the start of the lesson till the very end, especially John. John is freakin hilarious omg. However, Robert holds a special place in my heart. I got a chance to learn about the famous Robert L. Calandra and hear all his stories all while teaching me how to drive. The reviews on here weren't lying when everyone raved about how good Robert is! He's simply the best. Anyway I managed to get my license with 15 points and I'm sooooo excited about it!!!! Honestly if you're looking for a driving school please please pick them! They really are the best! P.S. And as promised, Robert and I have the same birthday! read more

Bath Beach driving school is absolutely excellent. I failed my road test twice before I decided to go with them. And my 3rd time taking it (after taking lessons with them), I passed! Mind you, I was practicing before with family. A big reason I like them is because of how friendly and warm the office staff and the instructors are. My instructor's name was Lenny and he was really patient, thorough and kind with me. He made me feel really confident, even though I had serious anxiety before the road test. And I passed! Another good thing about them is that they offer one-hour road lessons. Yes, they may be a little pricier than the surrounding competing schools, but if you notice, most other school's lessons are only 45 minutes. I've also taken classes from Secure driving school and the extra 15 minutes really make a difference because you can use the time to really hone in on what you learned/practiced. You have to account for the time it takes to warm up and get used to the car. Super positive experience, I would highly recommend. I'll be going back to them for my highway lessons. read more

Before coming across Bath Beach Driving School, I was honestly afraid of driving. My parents and even my younger brother all had their licenses but I had no intentions of ever getting it. However, I realized that there are so many more things you can do with a license and it was about time I got one. I first took the pre-licensing course taught by Robert and it was then that I decided that I needed to have him as an instructor. He made the class, which I thought was going to be boring, completely bearable and even enjoyable. I thought that he would be a good instructor and sure enough I got what I asked for and even more. Robert is not only kind to his students but he honestly cares about them as well. He teaches in a way that helps you understand what you're doing wrong while not making you nervous. Although it was hard for me to adjust to some of his instructions at times, he was patient and only went hard on me when it was necessary. When I signed up for lessons at Bath Beach Driving School, I didn't know what to expect. However, I got my money's worth and so much more. read more

Before coming to Bath Beach Driving School I took 8-10 lessons at another driving school and I failed my road test. Then I decided to change the school and the instructor and gave it a shot at the Bath Beach Driving School. I loved everything from the second I walked in. Barbara, the owner, gave me a contract detailing everything I should to expect. Then she pulled out a huge calendar book in which we booked the days for driving lessons. She even gave me a complimentary small book with class schedule. Very professional! I love it! My instructor, Anthony, showed up always as scheduled and made me comfortable that this time around I would definitely pass. And I did! What I liked about the school is that if your instructor could not make it for some reason, the replacement would come at your scheduled time. In my case Barbara was replacing a few times and I enjoyed lessons with her! I should say that this is number one school to go! Don't even hesitate! I will be taking 6-hour defensive class there soon! Good luck! read more

If you grew up without a car like me and have absolutely NO DRIVING EXPERIENCE I HIGHLY suggest going to Bath Beach Driving School. And if you can, please book your lessons with Robert, he is a FANTASTIC instructor who has the patience of a saint. (TIP: Try to plan out your lessons ahead of time because Robert is very popular!!!) I had the 10-1 hour lesson package and on my first lesson Robert had me sit in the driver's seat. Don't worry if you're a first time driver like me, Robert will keep a hand on the steering wheel so that you can get a feel for the car e.g. using gas/brake pedals, keeping the car straight, using the blinker, making turns, pulling over, etc. (maybe for the first 2 lessons). Robert is amazing, his lighthearted nature puts your nerves at ease and his optimism helps you find the confidence you need to do well. I took my road test (2 days after the snow storm with snow and ice all around) and passed on my first attempt. Thank you Robert and Bath Beach Driving School! read more