Short: This was my first experience driving, and I would never come to this place again.
Long: I found the process of booking an appointment simple. I arrived at the place, paid for two hours of instruction, they would pick me up at my home that afternoon. I was picked up right on time. In the drivers seat was a student and in the passenger seat was the instructor. The instructor, whose name I didn't catch (older hispanic lady), informed me that the student was going to be dropped off and then we could begin. I thought to myself, I hope I am going to be compensated for this time! The student drove up the street to Kennedy Blvd., and the instructor told me to get in the drivers seat. I got in the drivers seat, the student went to the back seat. The instructor told me how to adjust my mirrors, how to signal, etc. I told her I've never driven before! I thought my first time driving would be relaxed, in a nice parking lot -- not on Kennedy Blvd. at 4 pm! If you unfamiliar with the North Bergen area, this is rush hour! Nevertheless, she told me to drive, and I did. I was extremely nervous, I had to get a feel for the gas and brake, turning, all on a busy road!
The instructor had me drop off the other student. I feel like this is unprofessional, she should have dropped the student off beforehand instead of having me do it.
But the MOST unprofessional part? She had me drive in someone's driveway, went to their house, to use the bathroom. I had assumed this house was hers so I just waited for her to finish doing her business. A man pulls up behind me, and yells at me for parking in his driveway, and tells me he's sick of "you people (referring to the driving school)" parking in his driveway. I told him I had no idea, I was just following my instructor. He goes back in his car, waiting for me to pull over. I've never pulled over/reversed in my life so I just sat there and waited for my instructor to finish using the bathroom. She finally appears, the guy starts yelling at her, she comes in the car and quickly tells me to reverse. I had like 3 people watching me do this, obviously upset I was parked in their drive way. I had so much anxiety, mind you this was all within the FIRST 20 MINUTES of me driving for the first time ever!
After that, the ride was much more calming. I didn't really find her to be a good instructor overall -- she did give me some good tips, but at the same time I also feel like she just threw me in a car and said "drive." Also, although I am hispanic, I barely know any Spanish. I told her 3 times I don't know any Spanish, and she kept telling me things in Spanish... it's very hard to receive instruction when you have no idea what the person is saying. She also made me stop at a Popeyes to give some guy money. Why? I am paying $35 an hour and I was barely compensated for running HER errands.
Anyways, that was my experience. I did learn somethings but I feel like I could find somewhere that provides better instruction in a less anxious environment. read more