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    Hester Driving Academy

    4.0 (4 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Ask the Community - Hester Driving Academy

    We are moving back to Hickory area in the near future. My partner has a drivers license from El Salvador, but needs…

    I’m sorry we’re just now seeing your request. Yes, we would be more than happy to assist in getting him acquainted and refreshed with his US driving. Please give us a call so we can answer your questions. 828-461-2255… Read more

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    BRAKES

    BRAKES

    5.0(9 reviews)
    44.2 mi

    EVERY teen NEEDS this course! DO NOT SKIP THIS!!!!…read more I think anyone with a teen driver with access to this program is INSANE if you don't attend this class. It's a $99 sign up fee, which is returned to you if you sign up with a paper check (yes, you can mail it in). But honestly, the $99 donation to attend this is a steal and INFINITELY VALUABLE if you value your kiddo's life! We did the course 2 years ago for our older teen (pre-covid) & now just completed for the younger teen (post-covid). I wouldn't care if I had to wear a mask the whole day to do this class - I PROMISE you it's PRICELESS to give your teen driver some REAL experience and some good education about driving hazards. Driver training is just not the same as it used to be (and people drive larger cars and faster speeds than 20-30-40 years ago when we all learned!), and even with a year of permit-driving your kid won't get what they can at this course. Hazard/avoidance skills, ABS steering skills, SKID skills (yes, really skidding, like control out of a 360-spin), and drop-curb (tire off road in gravel) experience, curve control, even a simulated drunk-driving (affectionately called "drunk goggles") experience. There's probably even more in there that I forgot! Instructors are AWESOME and really give the full-experience to every kid. YOU DO NOT NEED A VEHICLE to do this - so even if you have to Uber to the program that's fine! An adult does need to attend with the teen, 30 hours on permit driving to attend (yes, they can go before full-license). Don't be put off by the ONE presentation by a Kia Dealer/Rep - Kia (in Charlotte anyway) sponsors and provides the vehicles for this program - it's why the cost is still $99 after years of the program running! Let Kia get their little 'schpeal' in & be patient, again this is abut preparing your kid for REAL driving scenarios that you will never be able to provide in a SAFE environment! Are there some wait times, yes on occasion - let's all be ADULTS here and understand things are sometimes beyond control and 'crap' happens. The program is SMOOTHLY RUN and you'll get all your info by email of what to do, when to go, number to call for issues, etc. (just READ the emails peeps!). Again - I promise you will not regret the skills your teen (and even YOU, you'll get to drive a little also!) will get from this experience. https://putonthebrakes.org

    Every driver should take this course! Great experience for situations that show up that you just…read morecan't practice for in a normal driving experience.

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    Hester Driving Academy - driving_schools - Updated May 2026

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