NEVER COME HERE! They will NEVER pass you if you do not sign up for their personal training services. The instructor is RUDE, especially to UW students. (yes, the one yelled at me, his name is Cassidy) It's literally bullying. Take the advice and go somewhere else. read more

Passed my test the first time! I got all 5 lessons with Christian and he was beyond amazing. He was very patient and taught me the nuances of driving that I will carry for the rest of my life. I highly recommend this school and especially Christian for anyone who wants to start learning and refining their driving skills. Can't praise it enough! read more

I wish I could give 0 star . And if u didn't pass the knowledge test , u don't even know which one u have did wrong . So u will be never be correct on the road . Plus the lady who work for there , talk loud , non- stop talking . She gets hungry , she has headache , she tired blah blah ..very unprofessional and Very effect students who doing test right next to . I did twice test over there , didn't pass . U could say I am stupid whatever but as an employee who work there as customer service, I don't think she has right to get frustrated just because student didn't pass and do again . But she did And rude ! I don't know her name , but u will know who I am talk about when u gets there . I switched to another driving school , I allowed to ask questions , quiet during test , as English is second language u could ask if u don't know the questions ,I passed . Anyway good luck for anyone. I am not saying 911 is bad , but that lady is pain in the ass . read more

The drives with the instructor, Mitch, were good. He cares and really does a great job with the kids. He has a strong emphasis on teaching them. The issue I have is that drivers ed now cost me well over $600 with everything, and when my daughter came up to a deadline they couldn't so much as give me a call to let me know she had fell behind and was going to get kicked off of the program if she didn't pass a final drive. Then when I called I was told they emailed me course information 4 months ago I should have known. No ownership. So I can't even get a phone call when there's something I need to know, or an email if she's falling behind in progress? For $600+ they won't communicate with me?? I had given them all of my contact information but they can't keep the one informed who is paying for the course? Unacceptable. Find a more responsive service for this. We're paying enough for this now it's the least that should be expected. When I took drivers ed it was $28. I taught my daughter to drive before she took the course. We simply have to do it to get a license now. It seems like a sneaky way to upcharge and get people to pay again and it doesn't feel integral to me. read more

I came from China. I went to DDS in U-district and had great experience with my instructor Christian here. He's nice and patient. Most importantly, he taught you *very* practical skills even those are not on the driving test (e.g. angle parking, freeway drive) and all kinds of tricks that makes sure you will drive safely. I'd really recommend him if you are looking for a responsible and experienced instructor. The only reason I am only giving a 4 stars is because before I took lessons from Christian, the previous instructor is not the best at teaching (nice person though). He/she didn't really say much while you are driving even if you were doing something wrong. read more

Jordan Will Restore Your Faith I am a nervous driver. It took me awhile to get around to registering into a driving school but I'm glad I finally did because Jordan is a reaaally patient/chill driving teacher and he's very clear. He doesn't yell and works with you at your pace. At the end of the lesson, he summarizes what you might need to improve on and will suggest you pull-over if he needs to gently critique you during a lesson. He'll be responsive to your specific needs like he is to mine, regardless of what "package deal" you bought or were assigned. He will work with you at your level. I have one more lesson left and I'm wishing I had used all my lessons with him! Don't bother with the others, especially if they are named Christian. read more

The instructor for my class, Bryan, did a great job and was fun to have as a teacher. I thought the class was well set up, although there were pieces that were a little insensitive in the book and presentations. The driving lessons, on the other hand, were much less enjoyable. Tyson, who I had for my first drive, was very professional and was a great teacher. The same went for Bryan. Jordan was very uninterested by the drives, and didn't seem very eager to teach on my second drive, parallel parking and backing around corners. My biggest problem was my fifth drive, the mock test. A mock test is, obviously, a practice test or something that is designed to prepare someone for a test. This mock test was apparently an actual test, which I wasn't aware of until it started. Christian, who I had for this, was very impatient for me, and was very frustrated when I had any trouble with something, even though I had only done some of the things on this a few times ever. He didn't seem to realize that I was a new driver, and that he had to be lenient with my mistakes, instead of being frustrated and angry with me. By the end of my drive with him I was extremely unhappy, to the point that I was shaking on the way home. This was an extremely bad experience for me. I would recommend signing up with Tyson and Bryan, and avoid Jordan and Christian. read more

"There are two things no man will admit he cannot do well:drive and make love." -Stirling Moss First off, full disclosure. I am Jordan,an instructor at Defensive Driving School.I read a lot of these reviews ,and felt the need to defend our honor against some of the sillier reviews. I have been a teacher for 8 years and the son of two teachers for 37.According to what some people believe, that must mean I am good at it. I know in my heart I am, but years of experience do not necessarily translate to skill. Have you ever met a guy who brags he has been playing guitar 20 years and can only play "Smoke on the Water?" Some people are this way about driving. You make the habits that you will probably carry with you the rest of your life when you are learning. If you are satisfied with your level of skill(which most people are,hence the first quote) improvement slows or stops completely. What we do as instructors is point out little (or big) things that will enable you to live a life of collision and ticket free driving if you choose to take our advice, and we are all good at our jobs. No one can be liked by everyone. I know because of feedback spoken to me and sent to my office that I am overwhelmingly liked as a teacher,I may have rubbed some people the wrong way.Some of these reviews reflect this,and maybe those criticisms are legitimate.Everyone has bad days,and one is at their best 100% of the time,we can only strive to be. To the criticisms of the building, She's 110 years old. Give the old girl a break. Plus , watching all the kids whose lives are enriched by the learning that takes place there makes me smile on a daily basis. Rating one star for such things when overall your needs were met is extremely petty. Now to all of you who think we are too hard on you during drive tests: good. We give the test the DOL has us give. We are supposed to be impartial, and grade for your test. Did we fail you for rolling a stop sign? Well, that's what we are required to do. Did I take off points because you sat at a four way stop for 30 seconds before taking your turn? That flashing red light will never turn green,you know. No one wants to be behind you, ever. If you don't know the difference between a two-way and four way stop, you need more work, and lessons along with practice are the fastest way to get in test-ready shape . Many of the reviews accuse us of failing people just to sell lessons. To that ,I would say we are a busy school and except for some slow times of year(December-February), our schedules are full or nearly full very consistently. We profit NOT AT ALL by getting you to sign up for more lessons. We are paid hourly and receive no referral bonuses of any kind. We sometimes suggest lessons because we are experts at safe driving, and can much better explain things over a lesson than 5 minutes after you fail a driving test. When I suggest lessons, it's because you could benefit from them, or because you are clearly not ready for a license. I know they can get expensive. I just spent 4500$ at Seattle Central Community College this year, so I feel you. Getting a license is not a cheap and easy road for everyone, especially people who have no parents available to practice with. Some people can't afford to drive at all, so count your blessings. Seattle's public transportation system is very good (for the U.S.A) so if the cost is too much to help you be a safe driver, to avoid potentially causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage,or taking a life with your own ignorance, please, take the bus. Your years of experience on their own mean very little, if you have been using them with terrible habits ,or in a traffic environment that has laws or customs that are 180 degrees from our own. Driving in different countries can be extremely different, often with lesser standards for licensing . I have tested a few people who have licenses in their home country that can barely back out of a parking space. Your inability to pass a driving test is not our inability to adapt to your needs, it's the other way around. I don't care if you have been driving 7 years. I see terrible drivers every day who have easily that much experience,and is our job to use the DOL test as given to keep the number of them out there as low as possible. Giving the teacher one star because you couldn't pass the test according to the test's rules and your own merit is downright childish. Imagine doing that in school. In closing, I would like to point out that I gave ourselves four stars, and not five. Why? because I know there is room for improvement.I also know that we are as good a choice as any, if not better. If you need driving lessons or a driving test, there are none out there more qualified. If you are in need of some help learning how to drive, I would love the chance to help you towards your goals. What I won't do, however,is just dispense a license like a vending machine. You have to earn it. read more

Right! Even though you took the lessons there, it's still possible to fail with some wired reason, which they never mentioned while practicing. Furthermore, the instructor always always late, even for more than 15 minutes. Ridiculous! read more

It's a shame I have to leave such low scores because the instructors and the program (Port Orchard) are very good at this school. (I've had 2 other students go through their program with no incident). However, be forewarned that if you have to miss a drive, even if your son is in Urgent Care and diagnosed with the flu and given a note to stay out of school and public for the next 4 days, you will STILL be charged $60 fee for missing the drive. They require 48 hrs notice to cancel/reschedule drives and 48 hrs ago, my son was fine to drive. I feel that this is an unfair policy and a very greedy practice. Again, very unfortunate to have to leave such a low review but it's unexcusable. read more

I took both the knowledge and driving test here. Most of the people taking tests here are teenagers and they know the coaches really well. They pass the knowledge tests no biggie, but the other "awkward adult" folks who opt to take a test here because of the convenient location are left feeling weird - and with the feeling that if you don't take lessons here you won't pass, which is totally accurate for my driving test. The guy who administrated my driving test basically sold me their lessons after he was done telling me why I could've passed but didn't (which included false statements, since for a lot of things he said I totally did the way I should've). DON'T RECOMMEND TAKING THE DRIVING TEST HERE. Go elsewhere, unless you have the confidence you won't get docked points on minor little things you actually do right. read more

This is the worst place to give a driving test. They are not going to pass you if you have not taken classes here. They will fail you for insignificant reasons like why did you wait at this intersection when there was no need to. DO NOT go to this place. read more

My teen driver just completed her driving course and is ready for the knowledge and skills test. The materials presented to students was very thorough and impressed upon the students the responsibility it takes to drive! The driving instructors Jordan and Christian are very experienced and reassuring; this is especially important given the location of the driving school and it's busy streets. I would recommend this course to other parents of teens. It was very easy to schedule drive times online and calling the office was very easy and quick as well. read more

made the right choice of enrolling here. maury was my instructor he was calm and very patient with me

I wish I had read these reviews before I singed up my son for this driving school. The driving instructor was insulting at best to the kids. He has made my child much more nervous about driving and has turned this experience into a total chore - no humor, no kindness, no encouragement. I complained and got absolutely zero response. Do NOT TAKE LESSONS FROM THIS DRIVING SCHOOL. read more

I just passed my test last week, after 10 pleasant classes spent at Defensive Driving School. I would personally highly recommend this school to anyone. They have a broad range of packages, matching needs of students whose experiences of driving vary greatly. I personally had never driven before, 10 90-min classes were just nice for me to get started. There are certainly shorter packages and I could have stretched myself to get a license sooner, but that wasn't my goal. I really enjoyed my classes with the instructors, especially with Jordan and Bryan. They have different styles of teaching, but both are extremely patient and great at coaching students. After a full quarter of learning, I'm happy that I passed my test on the first attempt. read more

Christian was nice and helpful. On the other hand my skill test instructor Jordan was unwelcoming and seemed to want to be anywhere else than doing his job. Right or not about my driving skills, it was an unpleasant way to have the test. read more

Tyson (South Everett) was an excellent instructor. Very knowledgeable and patient with a sense of humor as well.

My son never received the training on how to parallel park and back up around a corner. When I demanded that they give him one, they said no because his course ended the week before and insisted he had it back in week 3. My son did not get it! Are they calling him a liar? He knows whether or not he parallel parked. Plus his teacher made him a basket case about driving in Newport Hills in Bellevue since that teacher said it wasn't a good enough place to practice. He even commented that he could tell he was driving in Newport Hills because he didn't stop fast enough for stop signs. Rubbish. This course was a waste of money. He took the one at Factoria in Bellevue. read more

Defensive Driving School was a quick and easy process for me. I had 3 classes for 4-5 weeks and passed all of the quizzes through studying the powerpoints and the booklets that were presented to us in class. My instructor Jordan was very laid back and helped you if you did not understand something. Through great guidance and excellent teaching, I am hoping to pass my driving test. read more

As an adult driver, I felt extremely disappointed at how I had been prepared for the test. After one lesson, my instructor said that I should go ahead and schedule the test. I didn't feel quite confident enough, so I took another lesson, and I was told yet again, it was fine for me to take the test. When I then took it, I did rather badly. I understand that I am responsible for taking and passing the test, but I also think that there is something strange going on when you are encouraged to take the test, twice, and then, when you end up doing the test, you feel exceptionally unprepared. The impression I received was that perhaps the instructors, who may be very good with teenage drivers, struggle to help adult drivers, who already know how to drive but who do not know how to drive in Seattle or are nervous or don't know how to pass the test. Perhaps my experience was isolated, but I will not return to them to continue with my lessons or my testing, as I would like to be taught in a way that will fit my needs and will help me, as the driver I am, to feel confident in driving and for the test. read more

I took stick-shift lessons this last summer (July 2012). My instructor was Glenn Wilhite. He was excellent. I have tried learning stick in the past and always gave up, but with a few simple steps, patience, and practice, I have it down now thanks to him. read more

Finished my course and felt like I really learned a lot! The teachers were helpful and I could definitely see an improvement in my driving from when I started and ended the class. The people that monitor you while driving can be a little harsh and strict at times but it's all in good nature since their job is so vital for your safety and the safety of others. All in all they did a good job and I feel far more confident about the driving tests after all that I learned from them. read more

I would not recommend Defensive Driving school to anyone at ANY location. Though the employees were at least polite in the end I left feeling like they are taking advantage of adult drivers the new and the experienced. Basically if your not under 18 or you don't take their over priced 4 hour class you fail and you fail for the most minor of things a regular joe daily driver doesn't even do everyday! Read reviews and research before applying yourself to any appointment. I was even warned by other locals of this schools "reputation" and until after spending my hard earned money I didn't read past reviews. If you notice in the reviews the only happy customers are the ones who took their classes proof you buy their approval for a license, this school is a scam to just get you to spend a larger amount of your money and time. Defensive driving school is VERY inconvenient for persons who work a 9-5 shift. This school takes your money as well as work hours you can't get back. Its all made way to convenient for them. I WOULD NOT recommend Defensive Driving school to ANYONE at ANY location. read more

After having heard many horror stories about Drivers' Ed, how boring it is, how terrible the teachers are, how difficult the tests are, I was extremely pleasantly surprised by the experience I had at Defensive Driving School. I took the Teen Classes in December-January, 3 days a week, with Bryan Davis at the University Heights location, and enjoyed it so much more than I was expecting. Bryan was funny, kind, and constantly sharing anecdotes from his own life as they related to the lesson of the day, on top of it all, he was a great teacher. I was especially impressed with how he put up with some of the more annoying teenaged boys in our class and his obvious love of his job. The class was as fun as Drivers' Ed could possibly be. And come on, the tests aren't hard at all if you pay attention and fill out the workbook in class, and even if you don't pass, teachers are happy to tell you how to retake it. In regards to the actual on the road driving lessons, I really liked most all my teachers, they were kind, helpful, good at making conversations, and most importantly, calm. Driving with them was much more relaxing than driving with my parents! However, I do recommend against driving with Christian, he can have some road rage and can be stress-inducing. I strongly suggest taking any Drivers' Ed class with friends if you are a teenager, it makes class much more entertaining, but also be open to making new friends, as that was one of my favorite parts of the class, it really provides a time to get to know new people. In all, I definitely recommend University Heights' Defensive Driving School, at least for teenagers. read more