TL; DR at the bottom:
Despite this review being long overdue, I've felt for some time the necessity to speak on my experience with this place. Getting my license & driving on the roads -- especially in a state with drivers like the ones in Louisiana -- I was reasonably afraid of being put behind a massive, metal machine of death, & slightly less terrified of being bored to that same death from the stories of friends who had attended mind-numbing driving classes at different places in the past.
However, I was pleasantly surprised by my experience with the folks down at Drive Dat Academy.
I'll start by speaking on the kindness of just about everyone on the roster. While you typically expect employees to have a base level of friendliness, it truly felt at times like the staff were going above and beyond to make you feel welcome & as if you were buddies. The upbeat atmosphere is a constant throughout the course.
The instructors carried a variety of enthusiasms that will keep the average attendee engaged to some degree, but we all know you can never truly keep the attention of a teenager. However, it felt like Drive Dat was trying to keep the lessons lively, which is so important given the subject material. As entertaining as the rules of the road could possibly be, I sensed a determination to good driving education, which any parent or reasonable student will appreciate given the cost of most driving schools.
Once the hands-on training began, I was lucky enough to be paired up with Mr. Mike -- a seasoned vet in both the comedic world and driving one. Speaking solely in my experience, not only was I laughing a lot, but I was also learning so much. While the experience with others may differ, Mr. Mike went out of his way to try & create a comfortable atmosphere for any nerves I had, while still being friendly & very conversational. I ended up not only learning how to handle four way stops, but also what true passion in education looks like. By the end, I was not only confident in my abilities as a driver, but I also felt like I gained valuable wisdom & a treasure trove of bad puns & gut busting jokes.
I walked out with a new understanding of the rules of the road, confidence in my abilities as a driver, & with an appreciation for the work that comedians do behind the scenes. The instructor was even kind enough to drive me to the DMV to get a license I felt I had finally earned the right to carry.
tl; dr:
pros: in-depth driving education, detailed analysis of common/fatal mistakes, upbeat atmosphere, friendly staff, informative/friendly instructors
cons: newfound fear of trains, sore laughbox, & a craving for Dot's Diner.
all in all: entirely worth the price of admission. makes what feels boring entertaining. if you go in with an open mind to sit through classes & pay attention -- you WILL learn how to drive, & you will feel much more confident about your skills behind the wheel. definitely recommend. read more