Berkeley Driving School

(45 reviews)

6.9 mi

Fantastic folks. Both our kids used Ride On. Mark is great, he does the scheduling. And Patti is…read moreAMAZING! Both our kids loved working with her. She is super knowledgeable, positive, and knows how to prepare for the test! Super safe and just a lovely lovely person. Give them a call!

Cintya is an amazing, funny, patient and overall the best teacher one could ask for. I was nervous…read moreas all heck getting behind the wheel but she calmly guided me and we worked multiple times until I finally got my license! Mark also is amazing at explaining the process and price point making sure all is well ready to go. Couldn't have gone behind the wheel and on the road without them so I highly recommend this school!

See all

Swift Driving School

4.3

(60 reviews)

3.1 mi

The instructor was very rude, arrogant, and made me feel more anxious. Don't have someone that…read morefeels entitled to be instructing people to drive. Coming from someone who has driven in the past and needed to get familiar and finally obtain, my driver's license, I regret ever spending my money here and thank goodness I went another route in order to pass my driving test.

Tried calling back after a reschedule, no one picked up, the call kept being redirected after the…read more6th call, I've decided to move on with a different driving school, to deal with the hassle.

See all

All in the Family Driving School

(85 reviews)

3.9 mi

Need to find a Driving School to feel comfortable and help get your drivers license...All in the…read moreFamily will meet all expectations. Mona and Linda were both wonderful and patient and informative on what you need to get that license. From booking with Mona at your convenience to get started, to having pre 2 hour driving class (for me with Linda) then use of their vehicle to take the actual drivers test on another day (with Mona) Was easy and I passed my test. Thks for putting me at ease while providing useful information to help pass the test.

As a 33 year old who had never driven before, I was very very anxious, but learning how to drive…read morefrom Miss Mona and Christian eased a lot of my apprehensions away. They are very hands-on in their approach; each lesson they take lasts for 2 hours and I was behind the wheel from the very first one! Both instructors know what they're doing, and they're really good at their jobs. Since you're spending 2 long hours in the car with someone, I found it immensely helpful that both Miss Mona and Christian are also interesting people who I had good fun talking to! I was so grateful to them for training me well enough to pass my behind the wheel drivers test on the very first try - to prepare for it I also got to practice with the instructors around the DMV which helped me gain confidence for the real test. I cannot recommend this driving school enough - they were nothing short of sterling in the services delivered and they made learning a new skill fun and memorable for me! Thank you SO much Miss Mona and Christian, you all are the best!

After passing her driver's test.

See all

Ann's Driving School

(294 reviews)

10.6 mi

We went through Ann's Driving School aka Fearless Driver for our kids' mandated 6 hours of…read moreprofessional instruction. Two of our kids worked with Tiarra and, despite them being very different personalities, both felt that Tiarra was a great fit for them. She was excellent with communication (all by text) and the kids reported that she was calm and clear with her instructions. She knows the skills/criteria for passing the driving test as well as the common routes for local DMVs. Both of my kids passed their driving test on the first attempt, thanks to Tiarra. Our third kid will also work with Tiarra, if she ever gets around to taking her permit test...

I just took a lesson with Anne's driving school and it was great! I had essentially never gotten…read morebehind the wheel before and my instructor, Christopher was extremely helpful, kind, and professional. I felt very relaxed and comfortable as he showed me the do's and dont's. He was very knowledgeable on where to start to help new drivers settle in. Would definitely recommend for new drivers of any age!

Fall 2014-Back to School - ask about our 6-hour behind-the-wheel training package

Judy gets Max on the road

See all

Your car Ma'am... www.fearlessdriver.com

Go-Green Driving School

(141 reviews)

8.7 mi

Coach Windle is hands down the BEST driving instructor we could have asked for. He is patient,…read morecalm, and incredibly knowledgeable -- exactly what you want when your teen is learning to drive. He builds confidence without ever making students feel nervous or overwhelmed. What really sets Coach Windle apart is how much he truly cares. He doesn't just teach kids how to pass a driving test -- he teaches them how to be safe, responsible, and aware drivers for life. His communication with parents is excellent, and you can tell he takes pride in what he does. If you're looking for a driving school that prioritizes safety, professionalism, and real-world skills, Go-Green is the one. We are so grateful for the experience and highly recommend them to anyone with a new driver!

Very helpful staff, and helped me become the best driver I could be. Coach McNeal is a very nice…read moreguy and helped me better my driving skills. One of a kind.

Me taking a selfie with my diploma that I worked hard for

Eric Esperanza handing me my diploma

See all

Bay Area Driving School

Locally owned & operated

All of my children have taken online and practical driving lessons here. They are very flexible…read moreabout honing in on skills and understanding of levels of learning and safety. This school really cares about each student. The instructors are patient and encouraging. Communication is most important to them. Erika and Jason are the best, Thank you!!!

Easy to register. Staff is very responsive. Quick process to replace certificate if needed. Erica…read moreis very helpful and friendly!

Parking is to the right side of the building. There is free parking on Municipal lot on corner of A Street & Maple.

Driver's Ed, Traffic School and Driving Lessons.

See all

Bay Area Driving School

Academic Driving School

4.2

(26 reviews)

4.7 mi

I didn't catch the girls name but she looked very very young. My son said she was nice but that's…read morewhere the positive comments end. He is a brand new driver having only driven a few times and the car is unfamiliar. The instructor kept saying "what are you doing??" instead of offering concrete specific instructions. She made my son incredibly nervous. She asked him multiple times to speEd up beyond his comfort level. I asked him did he learn anything and he said no. This was a very expensive signature for his permit to make it legal. I don't recommend this agency.

I HIGHLY recommend ADS! I strongly believe my review can go a long way for anyone who is just…read morebeginning their driving school search, I went through two other options. First, family members tried to teach me and that wasn't the most helpful unfortunately because there really isn't anything like getting practice behind the wheel with a professional. Then, I went through another driving school in the bay and I did not receive merely as much help. Finally, I took a lesson with ADS, instructor Elton and he was a very calm, helpful, professional that gave me all the skills prior to the behind the wheel test. He's someone who has helped a wide range of people pass, he exposed me to a very similar simulation to the exam, and explained my errors with practice tests to give me a feel for the actual exam. Truly, my moneys worth! After one try at the DMV, I passed!

The instructors give nice tips on traffic signs during drive.

See all

Academia De Trafico En Espanol

1.0

(1 review)

0.0 mi

I attended recently Traffic School in Spanish, on a Sunday, at this Traffic School and it was the…read moreworst experience ever. The instructor could barely follow his thoughts in Spanish, the test was sloppy presented, the questions did not match the same line with the answer options, therefore some questions were wrong corrected and the questions in Spanish were difficult and confusing to understand (horrible translation from English) . Frankly, I cannot recommend this Traffic School to anyone.

See all

A-Plaza Driving School

Certified professionals

My daughter had zero behind the wheel training but after the 8 hr driving session & dmv package …read more. she has now her driver's license!!! I don't have the time or patience to teach my kid how to drive , so I trusted A-Plaza to do it . I'm sooo glad i did!! Highly recommend them !!!

I had my first born drive with A-Plaza more than 10 years ago. My son and I felt they prepared him…read more Here we are today and since we had a great experience with them before we thought we'd schedule APlaza for my other child. Something has definitely changed over the past 10 years. My child was not as prepared. My husband and I had to do most of the training. We were expecting A-Plaza to teach/guide my child in the following skills: parallel parking, reversing, etc. Basics- we were hoping they would reinforce what we were also teaching. My child stated they did not help with those skills. My child was to drive wherever the instructor suggested- straight driving. Another note- instructors would be late as well. It looks like many others have a great experience- unfortunately, we're not one of them.

Bright mornings at A-Plaza Driving School! Your journey to safe driving starts here. Let's make your driving dreams a reality.

Step into A-Plaza Driving School! A warm welcome awaits as we help you achieve your driving goals. Ready to hit the road?

See all

Project Heartbeat

(383 reviews)

3.7 mi

Enjoyed program! Would recommend…read more Did 5 week EMT course. Well paced, I thought this was the perfect porridge btwn the 2 wk and the 8 wk. Fav instructors include Yas Michelle Jeff, honorable mention to Tyler Matt & JT who were also great. Good amount of fake blood squirting :). Instructors seem genuinely interested in the material, fellow students and instructors were down to coordinate some outside of class reviewing before test days which was nice. Good vibes, we had fun in the class! Very hands on style- good for fairly tactile learners. Do it!

I came in today for ACLS and BLS COMBO in which I registered and paid for about a week ago. I was…read moresent the precourse for the ACLS. I was never sent a BLS Precourse, but I was sent a paid receipt for both courses. I called the Wednesday prior during business hours and did not get an answer. I arrived an hour prior to start of the combo class for the front desk clerk attendant(who opened the office up) to tell me I was only signed up for ACLS AND NOT BLS. I asked her to call Grace who is supposed to be the office mgr. The clerk said, "I'm not calling her on the weekend with a frown on her face". I sat waiting for an hour and 10 minutes after ACLS class started for nothing to be done. I had to ask am I supposed to be in class for the attendant to say, " I was just going to call you up". I was told to go into the ACLS CLASS while they try to sort things out. On my first break I followed the error project heart beat made up, and the same clerk said I can offer you a refund. I told her I wanted the combo class. Money is not the issue. Project Heart Beat made the error. I've sent the office manager 2 emails while sitting here offering to complete the online portion on these breaks we are give during ACLS with no response. Another student in the class did not complete either ACLS OR BLS pre test. They still allowed her to go through the in person didactic and then complete both ACLS AND BLS TEST AFTER. Project Heart Beat has to do better and hire a front desk clerk that is friendlier and customer service oriented and not trying to hide errors. She would probably do better cleaning the building than having to interact with customers. Also, they have to be consistent on precourse requirements. It took a second clerk to tell me what the real issue was after waiting an hour being told I was only signed up for ACLS WHEN I HAD RECIEPTS FOR BOTH ACLS AND BLS. I was never sent the precourse for BLS. If you register for classes here, call and confirm until you get someone to confirm that they have sent all emails and you have the precourse. In the meantime, hopefully the first desk clerk to arrive is a bit more customer friendly and focused.

Mannequins after a special day

Anatomy

See all

Part of someone's anatomy poster

Mountain Boulevard Montessori School

The school's academic curriculum is awesome. I put my two daughters through Mountain Blvd.,…read moreMontessori and they were more than prepared to thrive in kindergarten. The staff and teachers are also very caring and want to see the children be successful in all aspects. If there is one thing I would love to see evolve is more activities/events geared towards parent and family participation. Overall, the school has done a fantastic job with our two little humans.

My son attended Mountain Boulevard Montessori for two years and three months before advancing to…read moreTransitional Kindergarten (TK). During his time there, we had experience with their toddler, preschool, and pre-K programs, and overall, our experience was wonderful. We never had any concerns about our child's safety, and communication with the school was consistently excellent. Every email or phone call was responded to promptly, and we always felt informed and supported. The curriculum is quite structured and leans a little more academic than some preschools, but in our case, that proved to be a real benefit. It provided an excellent runway into TK, where our son seems very well prepared compared with many of his peers, both socially and academically. There were several staff members who really stood out to us. Mr. Andreas has a wonderful disposition for working with children--he strikes a great balance between setting high expectations while remaining warm, patient, and humorous. Mr. Dennis is an exceptional administrator and was always communicative, open, and thorough. I never felt that a question or concern went unanswered. Ms. Wendy was my son's favorite teacher and was part of his experience for most of his time at the school. She was his classroom teacher for about a year and later his Spanish teacher after he moved into the pre-K class. She is very nurturing and has a particularly good way of channeling the energy of highly active children like my son while still keeping them engaged and focused. In terms of value, tuition seemed right around market rate. Compared with similar schools we considered, Mountain Boulevard Montessori was somewhere in the middle price-wise, but what stood out to us were the smaller class sizes, strong teacher-to-student ratio, and the overall quality of the facility. The school is highly organized, impeccably clean, and consistently well maintained. It was also extremely helpful that the school calendar generally mirrored Oakland Unified's holidays and vacations. That made childcare logistics much easier and avoided many of the scheduling conflicts that can arise when preschool and elementary school calendars are out of sync. If I had to offer any constructive feedback, I think families would benefit from as much advance communication as possible around staffing changes. At this age, changes in teachers can feel significant to children, and having a little runway can help families prepare them. At the same time, I completely understand that employment and privacy considerations may limit what a school is able to share. I also observed a few interactions involving one long-standing teacher where the communication style felt somewhat less patient and nurturing than what we had experienced with the rest of the staff. I have no doubt about her academic abilities or experience, and my son had very limited direct interaction with her until right before his departure, so I can't speak to any lasting impact, however, it was something I noticed that seemed inconsistent with all other interactions with staff at the school. This was very much an exception to an otherwise consistently positive experience over more than two years at Mountain Boulevard Montessori. We were very happy with the care, education, communication, and preparation our son received, and I would feel very comfortable recommending the school to friends or family without hesitation.

Our spacious outdoor space

With a large play area, even the most energetic child can play, run, and grow.

See all

Warm and inviting classrooms in a secure setting offering a full complement of Montessori activities for young minds to explore

Guidepost Montessori at Emeryville

(39 reviews)

6.4 mi

We have had our infant son attend guidepost for a couple months now. The staff is extraordinarily…read morekind and deeply care about the well-being of the children. I myself am deaf, and the staff was open to using sign language in the classroom to affirm his basic language skills -- that is incredible and no other daycares we toured seemed so happy to embrace our Deaf culture! Our son always gets dropped off with a big smile on his face and truly loves it here. Miss Yvette is a saint and our son loves her deeply :)

It's Teacher Appreciation Week, and a great reminder for me to share a review…read more May 2025: A year later and we are still loving Guidepost. Ms. Emilia, Ms. Carol, Mr. Miles, Ms. Tanya, Ms. Shelby, and so many others have been amazing teachers to our precocious, rambunctious toddler. He loves his class and looks forward to school every day. The guides take such great care to nurture our toddler's curiosities, spending a great deal of time organizing events and exposing him to new words, activities, cultures, and habits every day. They spend some of their evenings and weekends as well to facilitate fun activities like movies & pizza for Parent's Night Out or summer water parties when the weather is warm. We feel so fortunate to have been introduced to this place and know that our kids are happy and healthy here. The teachers use apps to help log activities and photos, so we never miss out and get tons of updates throughout the week. Ms. Emilia sends weekly updates about our toddler's class and their focuses for the week, and Ms. Shelby send weekly updates about school happenings. Ms. Stephanie is always available to chat if we have any questions or concerns to share, and all of the guides seem to celebrate the mini milestones our kids achieve every day. --- Jan 2024: Our little one just started in the Nido infant class and is thriving! We were so worried about the transition, but Mrs. Yvette and all of the teachers are so wonderful and kind. They guided us new parents and helped make the environment so warm and welcoming for our baby. It's only week 3 but our little one is eager to go to school to see his teachers and friends!

My son learning to put his shoes on.

See all

Alma's Children Garden

4.6

(32 reviews)

5.7 mi

My child attended Miss Alma's in 2020. My descriptions may be outdated…read more - What's great: The dreamy backyard, breakfast included, sweet teachers, fun activities. - Not the best: Alma would only take payment by cash. No checks, no Venmo, no nothing. I had to go to the bank every month and withdraw and deliver nearly $2,000 cash, for which I received a handwritten receipt. Huge hassle, not very safe, and did not not feel professional. I hope this is no longer her policy. Overall, this was a good daycare for my child when she was a young toddler. I think Alma sends kids to attend preschool once they turn 3.

Our twins have been attending Alma's Children Garden since they were 2, and watching them grow and…read moredevelop over this past year has been amazing. As a working parent, finding a daycare that provides both a safe environment and genuine care for your children is everything - and Alma's delivers on both. The facilities are clean, secure, and well-maintained. But what really sets this place apart is how the caregivers truly nurture each child. I've watched my twins go from shy toddlers to confident 3-year-olds who wake up excited to go to "school." They've developed social skills, learned to share and communicate better, and come home singing new songs and showing us art projects they're proud of. What gives me peace of mind every day is knowing that when I drop them off, they're not just being watched - they're being cared for by people who genuinely want to see them grow. The staff remembers little things about each child and shares those moments with us at pickup. My daughter now counts to 20, and my son has become so much more expressive, and they are both come home each day smiling. We've had nothing but positive experiences here. The communication is great, the environment feels warm rather than institutional, and most importantly, my children are super happy. They actually get upset on weekends when they realize it's not a school day! If you're looking for quality childcare in Emeryville, I highly recommend Alma's Children Garden.

See all

Happa Baby School

0 reviews

6.1 mi

Emeryville Child Development Center

4.4

(17 reviews)

5.9 mi

I like ECDC. It resembles a small school with classrooms, and a couple of different playgrounds for…read moredifferent aged kids. The staff is getting pretty effective with social media and sends a calendar of activities each week, and photos of classroom activities. The facility feels secure with a locked door and solid fencing. Having had my son in two other places as he has grown up, ECDC is my favorite so far.

Emeryville Child Development has been a wonderful place for my child. We attended ECDC for a year…read morebefore we moved from the area. We really like it and are sad to leave. The center director (Diana) is warm and friendly, and takes time to get to know all the families. The staff are always friendly, and relay stories of the day when you pick up your child. They really get to know and care for your child. ECDC is such a great resource for the community, and definitely the best child care in the area that I could find. This was her first childcare experience, and I had visited so many different childcare facilities before I chose this one. I based my decision on her personality (she is playful and likes a festive environment with many other children), as well as: - Safety of the facility: is it easy for some stranger off the street to get in? - Center director and staff - Kitchen cleanliness, and food provision - "Potty" facilities - Condition and spaciousness of the classrooms and playgrounds - Age group division: Younger children need classrooms divided into a smaller age brackets The entire facility is like a fort, you need a special key for entry and you have to pass through the reception/office area before you can even find children. There are also cameras everywhere. The classrooms are clean and spacious, and each one has very clean, height-appropriate restrooms for the children. We started off in Toddler 1, which has two big rooms and a newly-updated outside play area that has a sunshade over most of it. This is perfect for sunny/hot Emeryville. The play area is safe, padded, and well equipped, no ancient rusty equipment. There are occasional field trips and activities outside the center. We really love that food is provided at the center (by Chefables), and it seems to be good food. This decreases the chance that my LO will want to take someone else's lunch. :) This center seems to have enough children to separate them into narrower age brackets (2-2.5 years for one room, 2.5-3 years for another), while other centers combined 2 and 3 year olds. I visited a center that combined 2 and 3 year olds, and the older kids were ganging up on the younger ones. After seeing that, I always brought my LO to visit new schools to see if she got along with the children. Also, my LO loves to visit the baby room, and whenever we go in there the staff are always holding and cuddling the babies. Compare this to other centers I visited, where babies in the infant rooms were left alone on dirty floors. My LO has learned so many new words, and she tells me she has lots of fun all day. She sings funny songs that I definitely didn't teach her. The staff have been so helpful through the potty training process. She developed better table manners (no longer throws food on the ground) and learned to nap on her own. Most importantly, she has made many new friends and has had the experience of developing strong, positive relationships with adults outside her family. I know that ECDC has provided my daughter with a strong foundation that will help her successfully transition to another school.

Field Trip at Tilden Park

Oakland Zoo field trip

See all

Pirate Day

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

24 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Ross C.

5 years ago

My review is for Donald, who is by far the best driving instructor I have ever worked with. I already had a license in a different country, and I booked 3 lessons with Donald in order to familiarize myself with US driving rules before taking the DMV driving test. I would've been definitely failed my exam had I not booked these lessons with Donald. I was getting all of my stop signs wrong and got confused on right-of-way instructions, and Donald was extremely patient in explaining each of these elements for me. I read other reviews about other drivers that had trouble with their instructor doing the driving for them instead of teaching them how to do so. I can assure you that Donald is not one of them- he gives you independence while telling you what went well and what went wrong on each turn. Thanks to him, I was able to pass the DMV test on my first try! To those who are thinking of learning from a friend instead of a professional instructor, think again. Driving is a fairly complex task as a beginner, and you want a professional instructor who can organize the rules for you in a structured manner that is not too overwhelming. When sharing with my friends what I learned from these lessons, many of them even had the rules wrong! I highly recommend Donald, and I am so impressed that he was able to prepare me fully for the test in just 3 lessons. Make sure to book in advance because his schedule fills up pretty quickly! read more

F H.

18 years ago

For the past 3 years, two of my teens have done their driver education & driving lessons with the Berkeley Driving School. Everyone on staff was knowledgable and knew their job well. The owner is exceptionally nice and the class was actually intensive - my sons got their permits right away. They had a consistency that assured me constantly that I chose the right driving school. I have had complete trust in them with my two teens. They have been one of the most organized small businesses Ive seen in years. The owner in the office was always on the same page as me with payments and scheduling. The driving instructors in the car were logical, prompt, and taught my teens thoroughly. They even passed the written permit test on the first try after the education class. I had friends who are parents also that have had struggles with other driving school. Im very happy that I did not have to go thru any complications of several other driving school. I would highly recommend them - they are BBB certified with zero complaints, driving lessons are private, Ive over-paid them once by accident and got a call the next day from the owner letting me know that I have a credit, the cars are great, the instructors are excellent - I give them an A+. read more

Nelson H.

12 years ago

Living in the Bay Area, I let my license expire thirty-two years ago - hey, buses and BART served me well - then I retired this year and made plans to move to Arizona. I needed to get my license again! I contacted Berkeley Driving School and took six hours of lessons and they provided the car for my DMV test. Dee, my instructor, was calm, knowledgeable and in the first ten minutes behind the wheel he had me parallel park! AND I DID (following his simple instructions)! Sure I was nervous at first, but after my initial two hour lesson my reaction was "I wanna go again!" I'm 64 years old, haven't driven in thirty-two years and I got my license on my first DMV test - Berkeley Driving School made that possible! I have nothing to say but good things about my experience! IF there were anything I would change it would be the website, it's a bit clunky to move around and I would have liked to have been able to sign-up for a "package" rather than separate lessons - but that is a small thing compared to the positive experience I had with them! Oh, the move to AZ went just fine - I don't have to retest down here! read more

Daniel M.

10 years ago

I took a number of lessons (at least 8, probably more) with Donald in preparation for my driving test. As an adult in my 30's who never got their licence as a teen Donald was supremely helpful in getting me comfortable and ready to drive. He never made me feel nervous or stupid, even when I made mistakes (and boy did I make mistakes) and I am happy to say that I passed my test on the first try, undoubtedly thanks to Donald's lessons. Lessons focused both on the broader activities of driving and on the specifics of the test itself. Donald spent a lot of time training me on the streets around the DMV and the particularly tricky elements that often come up (and indeed, several of them Did appear on the test and thanks to the prep I nailed them). More than that, he is genuinely a good guy. I enjoyed chatting with him during out two hour lessons, but he never let me loose sight of the goal. Now that I've got my licence I've even scheduled another set of lessons to get me into the swing of freeway driving. I can whole-heartedly recommend Berkeley Driving School and Donald in particular. read more

N H.

14 years ago

Berekly driving school was perfect-ALMOST! My first two lessons were great! I had DeeDee, she is a sweet and kind person who is also a good driving instructor. She makes awesome conversation( I didn't want to leave) while teaching and explaing to you everything about driving. If anyone has a chance GET DEEDEE!!! My third lesson I unfortanutely had the pleasure of having Rick. He was a rude sarcastic douche who ruined my expierence at Berekley Driving School. He made me almost want to end the lesson short within the first 15 minutes of driving!He barely talked only to correct my wrongness. I asked him a question and when he responsed he was sarcastic and Iater when i made a mistake he made me pull over and acccuse me of having a bad attitude. I felt like crying but also yelling at him. NOBODY GET HIM !! Rick really ruined this for me and i just want to make sure nobody gets him at all. FIRE HIM! I am only gonna give a 4 because of DEEDEE ! THATS IT!! read more

Marie W.

2 years ago

I just wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to Berkeley Driving School for your excellent service. My daughter Zoe recently completed her driving lessons with your company, and I am extremely impressed with the quality of instruction she received. In particular, I would like to give a shoutout to her three instructors - Dee, Lule, and Amber. All three of them were extremely patient, professional, and knowledgeable. They provided Zoe with a comfortable atmosphere to learn and helped her build confidence behind the wheel. Thanks to their guidance, Zoe passed her driving test earlier today. I couldn't be more proud of her, and I am incredibly grateful to Berkeley Driving School for its role in her success. Overall, I highly recommend Berkeley Driving School to anyone seeking a safe and reliable driving instruction experience. Once again, thank you to Dee, Lulu, Azalea, and the entire team at Berkeley Driving School for their hard work and dedication. read more

Madeleine T.

5 years ago

Cannot speak highly enough of Berkeley Driving School, but particularly of my instructor, Amber Rose. I told her before our first lesson that I was very nervous, and anxious about being behind the wheel, and she was so understanding and accommodating. We took it slow, and she allowed me to guide the lesson as I felt comfortable, always checking in and asking questions about what I was ready to try next and how I was feeling. By the end of that first lesson, I had more confidence on the road than I ever thought was possible with my anxiety. I have kept up the lessons, and she is excellent at being patient, friendly, engaging, and extremely informative. Thank you so much, Amber! I have no doubt that I will pass the test when that time comes! Highly recommend!! read more

Aurélie G.

14 years ago

I had never had a driving license and I was always afraid to drive (adult student). I took lessons with Dee Fong and I really appreciated all of them. He was on time for the appointments, very calm - which helped me a lot - and he was always giving me tips for parking, lane changing, and other situations that we need to be aware of. When came the time to go to the DMV for the driving test I requested him again on purpose. We drove for 45 minutes before the test and he gave me last minute tips. Result: first behind-the-wheel test... I passed with only 3 errors out of 20! I truly recommend this driving school and in particular Dee Fong (I had once another instructor but the feeling was very different so I went back to Dee). Thanks a lot!! read more

Sam T.

8 years ago

I'd been putting off getting a license for years, but a friend who wanted to go on a road trip spurred me into finally making an earnest attempt at it. I had a bit of driving experience in another country (on a learner's permit), but none in the US, so I enlisted Dee and Donald at Berkeley Driving School to help get me up to speed. Their instruction was top-notch, and their calm, friendly dispositions helped me build confidence in my newfound driving ability. Thanks to their efforts (& a bit of luck), I passed the behind-the-wheel test on the first go! I'm grateful for their help, and would recommend Berkeley Driving School to any of the other "license procrastinators" who are in the same position I was :-) read more

Heather G.

3 years ago

Berkeley Driving School is the best! Our son had a great experience with driving instructor Lule Varela. Lule's patient and gave constructive driving advice for his DMV behind the wheel exam. Lule was friendly and upbeat, keeping the driving lesson interactive and fun. They practiced driving around the Claremont DMV giving our son practical advice for what to expect during the driving test. Thanks to Lule our son is confident and ready for his behind the wheel exam. She also provided additional information for our son to review to be ready for the DMV test. We highly recommend Lule at Berkeley Driving School! read more

Teal M.

15 years ago

I highly recommend BDS. The instructors always came to the door and seemed pleased to meet the parent. My daughter came back from her two hour lesson feeling good about her driving. Annette, the owner, gave me more information about the DMV than the DMV web site, I was prepared because of her. My daughter passed the road test on her first try and the tester said she was "exceptionally prepared". Obviously her parents had something to do with this but I believe it was the instructors she really listened to. We paid for an additional lesson because we felt it was money well spent. read more

Sierra W.

4 years ago

I had a great experience with this school. Donald was an amazing instructor who helped me get over a lot of my anxiety about driving, offered very clear instructions, tips, and insights, and definitely helped me become a better driver overall. The lessons were also really easy to set up. Thanks to Donald, I ended up passing my driving test on the first try. I literally never write reviews on Yelp, but Donald was such a great instructor, and I am so grateful to him, that I felt like it was worth it. Cannot recommend him as an instructor enough. read more

Liza M.

16 years ago

I enrolled my daughter in this online course. We, actually, live in Sacramento, but, the owner of Berkley Driving School, was amazing in returning my phone calls and answering my questions. It was really nice to have a human being to talk to... and not just a website. When my daughter completed the course, they sent the certificate immediately. My daughter is 15 and a half (which they need to be to apply for the permit). Call "Annette" she will be very thorough in explaining the process to you. It's a big deal putting your baby on the road! read more

annette g.

12 years ago

DEAR MIGHTY We cannot schedule DMV road test appointments online because it usually takes more than 2 hours and test times at the DMV that they offer are at such random times. That is why we need people to simply call the office to book a DMV road test. I would hope, in general, before you bash a business on yelp you actually inquire from that business and ask why something may be a certain way. We are not a "money making machine". We are an old fashioned hard working small business doing our best to provide services read more

C O.

17 years ago

I have referred several of my customers with teenagers to the Berkeley Driving School! I definitely only refer them knowing full well that they would be treated with prompt and help customer service. I am happy to announce that 2 of my customers kid's have been safely taught the logistics and understanding of driving and have rec'd their licenses. They were very happy with the overall Berkeley Driving School experience. I will continue to refer my customers to Annette( owner) place of business! read more

Sarojni R.

10 years ago

Hi. I had 6 lesson with Barkley . The instructor was so nice , and had lots of patience . Even though I drove in Nz for 30 years . It's so much different here . I'm very happy that I went with Barkley and I passed my test first time , so thank you so much . Your review helps others learn about great local businesses. Please don't review this business if you received a freebie for writing this review, or if you're connected in any way to the owner or employees. read more

Nicolaas V.

10 years ago

I had a wonderful experience here. First off, and most importantly, I got my license on my first try after three lessons here (and some driving experience years ago). My instructor was Donald and I highly recommend him, super patient and relaxed guy, but also everyone else I dealt with was very nice and helpful. I was pretty nervous about finally getting my license after putting it off for so long but it went smoothly and I'm glad I picked this place. read more

Paula W.

167

11 months ago

Excellent driving school! Amber Rose was an amazing instructor. She knows her stuff and really encourages you. After some lessons plus lots of practice, I passed my test! She helps you pass your test but more importantly be a safe driver. Highly recommend! I'm an older driver so she made me feel comforted and helped me build my confidence. Highly recommend! read more

Dyamon K.

15 years ago

This is an awesome school. The instructor Eric is an wonderful driving instructor, he is very helpful. He answers all questions about the road, he also gives good advice. I highly recommend this driving to all.The school is very professional and very friendly. I am more than glad that I attended this driving school. THANKS ERIC YOUR THE BEST!!!!!!!!! read more

Jose R.

7 years ago

With 3 just lessons from Donald I was able to pass my test and get my California Drivers license. I found Donald's instruction style to be very thoughtful and patient. He was always on time and reasonable when I rescheduling because to rain. I work throughout the day so I appreciated his evening availability for these lessons. Thanks BDS and Donald! read more

See more unrecommended reviews

Berkeley Driving School - driving_schools - Updated August 2026

People who viewed Berkeley Driving School also viewed

Ride On Driving School

(45 reviews)

All in the Family Driving School

(85 reviews)

Swift Driving School

4.3

(60 reviews)

Universal Driving School

3.9

(57 reviews)

Joseph is hands down the best driving instructor I've ever encountered. If you are taking lessons…read morefrom him, you can assure yourself that you are gonna pass the road test! He goes above and beyond to teach the small but crucial details that many people overlook during their road test. What sets Joseph apart is his dedication to ensuring you're fully prepared--he takes you through the area around the DMV so you're familiar with the test route, which significantly boosts your confidence. Joseph offers his lessons at rates far more affordable than typical driving schools, without compromising on quality. If you choose to use his car for the road test, he even lets you practice in the DMV area right before your test, ensuring you're comfortable with both the car and the environment. And yes, this too is offered at a much lower cost compared to other schools. Beyond his exceptional teaching skills, Joseph is incredibly kind, considerate, and a pleasure to talk to. I couldn't recommend him more highly!

Joseph is an *incredible* driving instructor. I am in my 30s and had abandoned any hope of ever…read moregetting my driver's license or being a competent driver. He helped me confidently and successfully pass my test and build up my driving skills. He is calm and patient and teaches you many great tips and techniques. I was a nervous wreck about the test and driving, but he helped me believe in myself. 10/10 - a highly recommended driving instructor! Go to Joseph if you want to learn to drive and pass your driving test!

Academic Driving School

4.2

(26 reviews)

Anita's Driver's Training

4.3

(46 reviews)

Worst driving instructor I've ever had. Incompetent and rude. Yells and doesn't teach…read more I had recently gotten my license in NYC, but had only learned parallel parking not perpendicular parking (not a lot of parking lots in nyc). I came to her to learn that skill after moving to California. The entire lesson felt like a fever dream. She talked down to me and yelled at me for perceived non-existent slights, doing what she asked or not reading her mind. Some examples: yelled at me for not going when she had her foot on the break, hit brakes hard when I approached a 15mph speed bump going 11mph. I asked her what speed she expected. She couldn't tell me. Yelled at me to go when there was a car coming, I could go on and on... For parking her only instruction was "use your eyes" and "work your wheel". When I asked if there was a specific distance I should start turning from, or any visual cues, she got angry yelled at me that there's no such thing and that she can't "do it for me". I asked her if she could tell me if I pulled in too soon, or when to turn so she could help me develop the sense. Couldn't do that either, and put me down "what are you gonna do when I'm not here?". Ma'am you are a driving instructor, people don't teach themselves to drive, if you can't explain to someone how to correct their driving, you are in the wrong field. I spent the rest of the lesson just "trying" and hoping to get it right, without any guidance or feedback. And that was just the lesson itself. She rescheduled our lesson a half hour later an hour before, and then she parked somewhere else than the meeting spot discussed and turned her phone off. Told me to wait by a sign that didn't exist. I walked around for 20 minutes until I found her. She couldn't point out the "sign" when I found her. We ended up starting 1 hour after our start time. When we ended the lesson I asked to be dropped off by a BART station. She said we were close to one. It was a 30 min walk from one. Horrible horrible experience. TLDR: Gives zero instruction and then yells, talks down and blames students for her inability to teach or explain a damn thing. Save your money and go literally anywhere else.

A Five-Star Experience: Anita is the Absolute Best!…read more Anita is truly exceptional, and thanks to her expert instruction, my daughter passed her driving test on the very first try! The confidence, experience, and trust that Anita imparted were the foundation of this success. My daughter felt completely at ease with her, which is invaluable during such a high-pressure learning experience. As an outstanding business professional, Anita sets clear rules and expectations for passing the test, and she sticks to them. We greatly appreciated her straightforward, knowledgeable approach and were relieved that she provided a reliable car for the official examination. Her systematic way of teaching is a proven method for success. What sets Anita apart is her wonderfully cheerful personality and sense of humor. While waiting for my daughter at the DMV parking lot, I managed to get my own car stuck on the side curb! Anita immediately came over, all smiles, and not only helped assess the situation but also gave me--the father--a piece of advice on how to avoid curbs next time. This unexpected moment drew a laugh from both of us. Her ability to pivot from the focused intensity of training my daughter to sharing a lighthearted, helpful moment with me demonstrated her tireless good spirit and dedication. Thank you, Anita, for the success, the confidence, and the unexpected moment of humor! Highly, highly recommend. Mahmoud M.11/20/2025

Local Driving School - Berkeley

4.1

(109 reviews)

I had a great experience learning to drive with Druh. From the very beginning, she was calm,…read morepatient, and extremely clear in her explanations, which made a huge difference for my confidence behind the wheel. Each lesson was well structured and focused on real test conditions, safety, and good driving habits, not just passing the exam, but becoming a responsible driver. I really appreciated how Druh corrected mistakes in a constructive and encouraging way and helped me stay calm, even in stressful situations. Thanks to her guidance and support, I passed my driving test and felt truly prepared going into it. I highly recommend Druh to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, professional, and supportive driving instructor.

Signing up for drivers training for my son was one of those experiences that I was putting in the…read moreback of my mind and one of those things that I was anxious about. As soon as I made my first phone, call to schedule driving lessons for my son, I was put at ease. They were very helpful on the phone and set up dates for driving lessons and they even pick him up at school or at the house or at his job if he were working. They made it really easy for parents who work and can't always drive their kids to where they need to be during work hours. My son was able to complete the required driving hours and they even set up the drivers test with the DMV. Kirt was my son's instructor and my son had a good time learning from him. My son passed his drivers test and is on his way to get his license! Thank you Kirt for all your guidance and time with him!!!

Bay Pass Driving School

4.0

(8 reviews)

Bay Pass Driving School is an excellent place to learn how to drive! We had a fantastic experience…read morewith our instructor, Rock, and the other instructors. We took three classes and a DMV package, which was a great value for the money. The package includes an hour of driving lessons and an hour of actual DMV test preparation, which is very helpful for a new learner. We were able to pass the DMV test and get our driver's license! I highly recommend Bay Pass Driving School if you're looking for a good school with an excellent team.

I had a great experience with this driving school. My instructor, Mirwes Hakimi, was calm and…read moreprofessional throughout - he offered plenty of positive reinforcement while still giving clear, constructive feedback that helped me improve. If you're booking a lesson, I'd highly recommend requesting a session with him. Besides the driving lessons, all my other communication was with Daniela, and she made the entire process seamless. She's professional, well-organized and encouraging - managing sessions, sending calendar invites to both me and the instructor for the right times, and always being open to feedback about the school's services. She's also very well-spoken and made every interaction a pleasure. Highly recommend this school!

Bay Area Driving School

(72 reviews)

Easy to register. Staff is very responsive. Quick process to replace certificate if needed. Erica…read moreis very helpful and friendly!

Car-diology Driving School