When I was recently required to take a Vision Drive Test in order to renew my license at age 87 (!), I asked two friends for advice because I knew they had passed this challenging test at ages similar to mine. Both strongly recommended contacting Stephan Niemen, the owner of DriveQuest. My experience confirmed their high opinion of him. I can't imagine that anyone in our area could be more knowledgeable about drive tests. Stephan trained as an engineer with a specialization in highways, he knows the different DMVs well, and he regularly testifies in court because of his expertise gained over many years. Equally important, he is personable, prompt, and flexible in scheduling lessons. California DMV requirements for behind-the-wheel testing have recently changed for people over 70. If you are in that age group and must take the Vision Drive Test, I recommend contacting Stephan. I can tell you that when I passed the VDT a month ago, I was very glad that I had chosen not only the best-qualified instructor but also one with consistently warm and appreciative online reviews. read more

Great school. Stephan was able to instruct my teen with the basics but like with any other driving school, parental/custodial involvement training is a must and required by law. He also shows and guides students on what the DMV is looking for during the driving test and focuses on that right before your behind the wheel appointment, which is extremely helpful. I would recommend Drive Quest to any student that is willing and ready to learn and to drive. read more

(I took lessons with Stephen under my American name, Angie Nguyen) I don't understand why there are so many good reviews for Stephen. He barely taught me anything memorable, I had to learn everything about driving from my parents. Our lessons would end early, he'd take long breaks (one time he took a break to buy bread at Traded Joe's), and didn't even let me drive sometimes because my area was "too dangerous". There were times I would just drive in a straight line without doing anything (he controlled the pedals). He teaches you this counting thing multiple times which isn't helpful at all (example: stop at a stop sign and count 2 seconds). In real life and the DMV test there are many situations where you don't count, you use your common sense. You also just wait for the speed to be at 0, no need for so many steps. Maybe he just doesn't fit my learning style but this definitely felt like a waste of $510 considering the fact that I learned nothing. read more

DMV here we come! My son is ready! I could have not asked for a better behind the wheel drivers education experience for my son! Carmen is so nice and such an excellent instructor. She made my son feel comfortable and capable! She was punctual and for every lesson and gave my son the full time of instruction at each lesson. The lessons were easy to book and they offer several payment methods to make payment easy. I will recommend this company to all my friends with teens who need behind the wheel instruction! Thank you Carmen so much!! read more

Drive Quest - Driving Schools Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

We were in a tight spot trying to get our child's license w/limited time yet still needing another 2 hours before the test. Stephan was very responsive, thorough and prompt with his replies. Most other companies just kept telling us the challenges while Stephan stepped forward with solutions and flexibility. He even offered a lesson on a busy holiday weekend! Our child's lesson with Stephan went well and was better than his previous lessons with other companies. Stephan provided lots of guidance to help pass the test while also pushing our child beyond just the basics. Everything he pointed out were important and noticed on test day. We also had an issue where we lost the permit and needed to get the replacement permit signed by an instructor before the test. Stephan again quickly provided solutions, freeing up his schedule and meeting us a short drive from our lesson to get this handled and allow us to add another licensed driver to the family! We are very appreciative of Stephan and Drive Quest. read more

We have a late bloomer who was also very anxious about driving. Yelp reviews led me to contact Drive Quest and specifically Stephane for lessons. Stephane was wonderful - patient, thorough, and very honest about progress. He diagnosed the best way to control our child's specific form of anxiety and devised a strategy that allowed continued progress AND emotional containment. Also, taking over exam prep and tracing the exact route was extremely helpful in building confidence. They passed on the first try with only 2 points off. More importantly, we now have a safe driver on the road. Note - something this good is NOT cheap, but the results speak for themselves. Highly recommended. read more

Stephan was amazing as an instructor. The website is easy to access and signup for appointments.

Stephan was a blessing from the GOOD LORD!!! He taught our now 16 year old son how to drive and he passed his behind the wheel today! He's very patient and knowledgeable. The website is easy to use and the teen platinum package, as well as the online driver's ed program, is wonderful! We highly recommend the HB Drive Quest! read more

My son's instructors name was Carmen and she was beyond patient and supportive during his sessions. None of us knew what to expect and obviously nervous. Carmen was very forthcoming and answered all our questions. Our son came back from each session happy and more confident. Again Carmen was great and was very happy we went with her driving classes read more

Amazing school !! Stefan is the best!!! Dylan did all 3 2-hour lessons with this great instructor behind the wheel and passed his DMV test Wednesday. I even texted Stefan moments before his test to ask a question and he replied to me immediately. Great company!!! Thank you Drive Quest read more

I highly recommend Drive Quest -best driving school in Orange County ! Couldn't thank enough Stephan Nieman .He is such an amazing guy! Very knowledgeable, and professional.Elijah is nice too! I just passed the behind the wheels driving test today. One happy and satisfied student here! If you wanna get pass your DMV behind the wheels driving test go right ahead and book an appointment here. read more

Wish I could give this place 10 stars! Stephen is just THE BEST. He was so patient and always gave tons of feedback. He knew that my girl was not ready for the test and recommended she take another round of driving sessions with him. It made all the difference. She was so much more confident after that second round. I mean NIGHT and DAY!!! He wasn't just trying to get more money out of us. He truly knew her and what she needed. He pays attention to detail and personalities. Couldn't be happier. Thank you Drive Quest!!! read more

Drive Quest - Happy New driver! - Driving Schools Near Me - Huntington Beach, California

My son had his first lesson with Elijah on Saturday, not only did he come out on a holiday weekend, he was courteous, and had the right blend of professional (with me) and chilled (according to my son). Having someone who can relate to teens but deliver exactly what they need in the lesson at the same time is a skill, my son will get in his hours with Elijah, and my now 13 year old will be signing up when it's time. read more

Stephane was such a great instructor! He put my son at ease. He was always prompt and so professional. What a great experience! My daughter is working on her license next and this is the only driving school I will trust! Thank you Stephane for such a great experience! read more

So, my teen daughter had less than two weeks before her permit expired. Yes, we dropped the ball. She didn't practice nearly enough and her anxiety had taken over. We pretty much threw in the towel. Worst case scenario, she had to start over. Best case, meeting Stephan!!! I can't stress enough how great he was with her. Stephan taught her more than we could and even more than her other two driving instructors. My husband and I know for a fact that if it wasn't for Stephan, she wouldn't have passed. She needed someone who taught her, not just drove with her. We will forever be thankful for Stephan and Drive Quest. Oh and when I called Drive Quest, I spoke with Lisa, she swore by Stephan, and she didn't disappoint. Thank you Stephan and Lisa. You guys ROCK!!!! read more

Highly recommend. Stephan was my son's instructor and was excellent. He helped with everything and explained the whole process clearly. I would definitely go with this company. read more

I am so delighted that my son learned his excellent driving skills from Drive Quest. Each of his three instructors were suberb! They came directly to my house (or my ex's) for prompt pick up and I felt super confident from the first moment. Scheduling was really easy and knowing my son was in the hands of experts was terrific. Cant recommend them enough! Thank you Drive Quest! read more

I had a great lesson with instructor Stephane. During the lesson he corrected my driving skills, gave me confidence and all the tips to avoid failing the test!! Highly Recommended! read more

Really can't say enough nice things about quest. My son worked Stephen, he was a wonderful, he help my son with skill and confidence. Thank you! read more

My third and final son just passed his behind-the-wheel test on his first try. Thank you Stephan for always being on time, patient, helpful, responsive, and prepared for each of their classes. We only had one failed test between our three sons, and that error was purely on my kid. Would recommend for any parents out there anxious about sending their kid out driving with a stranger; Stephan is just the best. read more

My daughter just passed her Driving test at the Long Beach DMV thanks to Nic Herroz. She had been thru the AAA program and 2 attempts at the Westminster DMV. She was unprepared for the stress and responsibility that comes with being a driver in Southern California. After just 3 lessons, Nic was able to ease her anxiety and boost her self confidence. He had lots of tips and good advice to help her recognize and predict typical things that happen on the road. I absolutely recommend Drive Quest and especially Nic--they totally get it! read more

i am not quite sure how the other instructors are, but i would not recommend Nicholas Herroz. On the first appointment I had with him, which was a week after I received my permit, he made fun of lack of driving knowledge to a degrading point. The first two appointment I took he had me only left and right turns for the entirety of the 4 hour appointment time span. During the second appointment he also kept dropping hints and saying that i should buy more lessons from him even though I stated I just wanted to get these ones over with for my permit requirements. Also on the second appointment he dropped me off over 15 minutes early. I avoided taking the third appointment until a few weeks before I took my behind the wheel test. When we were going through the behind the wheel tests for the Costa Mesa DVM he kept making fun of my driving to a distracting point. At that point I had asked him to reserve his commentary until the end of the period and he said he would yet still kept comments about how I was a terrible driver. He spent a majority of the appointment going over these courses and never got around to going on freeway like he had said we would get to. This appointment he yet again drove me home about 20 minutes early, asked me to parallel park because he "taught" me how to in the past, which he did not, and became frustrated when I did not know how to. Following parking the car he pressured me into taking a picture for his instagram for the driving school. These six hours were not worth the $300+ dollars, the instructor was degrading, creepy and rude. he wasted my time and also did not fully provide over a half an hour of my behind the wheel instruction. Do not go here. read more

Stephen is the best!! He is very patient and gives excellent feedback. My brother-in-law did not have the confidence to pass the test until he took the driving sessions with Stephen. If you have failed the driving test, Stephen is the person to see and he will make sure you have the skills the pass the test the next time. read more

Stephan gave both my kids their lessons and both passed the first time. Very helpful and patient. I had him drive the kids to the DMV for the test which makes it better for them and the parent. read more

I needed some driving lessons for my niece. I had heard about Drive Quest and I am glad I went through with it. The chief instructor is probably the most experienced driving instructor in the nation with over 30 years experience. I believe he also studied structural engineering with a specialty in Highways. I believe it does not get better, more technical, or savvy than Drive Quest. As a result, my niece passed her driving test on the first go and I couldn't be happier! Thank you Drive Quest, and best of luck with everything! read more

Instructors car cut in front of a long line of cars who had been waiting to turn on the freeway off ramp and he drove up the right lane exit lane and cut Into the left lane at the last minute to jump in front of everyone else. Dangerous driving and not the example I would want to teach future drivers. Shows he lacks concern and responsibility to others and rules of the road read more

I was so scared to drive on freeway, today was my first class with Stephan on freeway drive , He explained important rules and tips before driving.He really helped me to get rid of my anxiety and fear of freeway ! He is a the Best instructor,Im so glade I choose Drive Quest read more

If the DMV requires a driving test, especially for seniors this's the place to go. There was a distinct possibility that if I failed the test that'd never be able to drive again. I was filled with anxiety and was not confident that I would pass. My instructor Stephan Niemen knew exactly how to teach me,especially what my personality needed. In addition to that I was able to drive my own car, so i had the opportunity to become more efficient in a car with which I was familiar. Stephan has twenty three years experience and he's a great guy to boot. read more

This is a driving specializing in "mature" drivers who need driving improvement or who have lost their licence.I lost my driving license after an accident,and used this school to prepare me for the drive test needed to regain my license.Stephan was a tough but very fair and pleasant teacher who got me ready for my drive test.I was prepared for everything the tester looked for and today regained my driving priviege.These drive test are not easy but I was fully prepared. read more