I sent my daughter here a few weeks ago and admittedly she has been driving for over a year so she knows what she's doing. When she was done with her driving test I could tell that she was bothered. Then she admitted to me on our way home that the driving instructor she was with had a rude tone with her and didn't feel like the driving instructor was specific enough. She said that her instructions were very vague and that she admittedly messed up a couple times because she was just put on the highway without being told beforehand ‍‍‍but that the instructor was not patient and that after they were done instead of giving constructive criticism she proceeded to say all the things she did wrong! my daughter is a bit on the spectrum but she's perfectly capable of following instructions if she is told them in detail instead of vague ones!! she was a few points away from passing , from the other reviews I just have a feeling they did this on purpose to get more money out of us because after she said 60 for a retest. And on top of that The person before her had a huge parallel parking space, but when it was her turn her space was smaller like what's up with that?? Do not go to this horrible location , they clearly don't care about students when they're clearly nervous on driving on a highway especially if they've never driven on a highway before. And again, very vague instructions. DO NOT COME HERE IF YOUR KIDS ARE PRONE TO BEING NERVOUS they ARE NOT PATIENT !! Go to Austin driving school instead!! read more

This place will fail your child on the first try to squeeze more money out of you! Don't use them, go to the Austin School of Driving or anywhere else. The people are rude as well. read more

Central Texas Driving School is HANDS DOWN the BEST driving school in Waco. They were kind and considerate and explained everything to us when my son went there. We had horrible luck with another school in town! Our family will recommend CTDS to everyone we know! read more

I have an eerily similar experience as a previous reviewer, which leads me to believe this is a very common money grabbing tactic used by this business. A few weeks ago, I scheduled my son for his driving test. As we were waiting in the lobby, the instructor came in and told another parent that their child passed, but he needed to work on stopping at stop signs, using his blinker, using the turning lane to turn, etc. My son and I glanced at each other wide eyed and and joked, "well, *you* should pass with flying colors if their qualifications are that low!" Next, it was my kid's turn and when they came back, I was surprised to be told he failed and the instructor listed off a hefty list of infractions, to my surprise. You'd think had never driven before by the numerous demerits he received. We accepted them and told them we'd reschedule another test for a few weeks. Once we left, my son confided in me that he felt practically gaslit, as he lost points for not stopping at numerous signs, not looking in either direction, etc. Mind you, I've been driving with him for 9+ months and I can attest that her list seemed uncharacteristic from what I've experienced with him, but we moved on and looked forward to the next test. Fast forward to a few weeks later: she failed him again. When she came to discuss his infractions, my jaw was on the floor when she accused him of speeding! Funny enough, she elaborated and said he was going 32 in a 30! Then, she mentioned him stopping at a sign and pulling up a bit too forward. He further explained to me privately that he was at a stop sign, a shrub was obscuring his view so he pulled up just a bit to check for oncoming traffic. Neither of these were reasonable grounds to flunk a kid who's been driving for nearly a year. Believe me, as a mom, I don't want my child (or anyone) on the road who doesn't have business on it. After his second flunk, I called Austin Driving School the same day, they scheduled him for the next business day and he passed with flying colors, zero issues. Her passing the child who tested right before my son (the first time) was a dangerous red flag that this business is operating unethically. Save yourself the headache, time and your hard earned money. Test your child at Austin Driving School. read more

This place is all about money and getting rich ! They failed my daughter and said she would need to take a parallel parking class with them to be able to pass. A week later, I took her to Austin driving school and she scored a perfect score on the parallel parking. I have 3 to 5 friends who all have said their kids failed for silly reason such as going 2 miles over the speed limit. They want you to retake so they can keep on paying their fees. They also want you to take their classes which I hear are no good. It's all about money with them. The people are extremely rude as well. Go to Austin driving school skip this place. read more

If you want as little help as possible and for them to laugh at you when you ask for a refund, after they failed to give you the simple information you needed to compile the certificates in the correct order, then this is the place for you. Complete waste of money. They were Unnecessarily Unhelpful considering the business they are running should be knowledgeable and helpful. read more

These are my opinions. The company denies and wrongdoing. This school allows a student to purchase just the driving portion of the Drivers License test. This company is capitalism at its best because the student is set up for failure so they (the company) can get more money from the student. It's always about money! The first thing the drivers have do is parallel park. This will most likely be a failed attempted. And then the test stops! That's less than five minutes for $65.... This is how the school makes money: Per the D.P.S., "If at any time a dangerous or illegal maneuver is performed, the driving test will be immediately stopped and will result in an automatic failure". Parallel parking is extremely rare to do these days and should not be the failing point of the exam. I do understand that the skill should be tested but not a pass/fail on the test. Because the student will likely fail at the beginning point of their testing, the test is shut down and then you are presented with just that one reason to take one of their other courses so they will make even more money! The school states that if the vehicle is not 18" or less to the curb, it is a dangerous act and the test stops. Texas D. of T. code: (a) An operator who stops or parks on a two-way roadway shall do so with the right-hand wheels of the vehicle parallel to and within 18 inches of the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. The school also states that even if the go onto the next portion of the testing assuming they passed the parallel parking, if they (the instructor) feels in danger or an illegal act occurs, the test stops! I told the school that this activity could mean that the driving test could be forever.... she agreed. The personal at this company did not like me asking questions pertaining to the test nor could/would they provide with proof of how the test is supposed to be administered and graded. My conclusion of this is just capitalism for those who want to make money. The State wants good drivers and we pay tax dollars to support the D.P.S. and we should just use them. We shouldn't support these kind of businesses that rip people off. People want to learn how to drive and this company is one of many that are prying on peoples emotion. This kind of business is just like a Tile Loan, Cash Advances, or a Payday Loans company etc. It just is never enough money. If this business was really an honest business, their business practice would allow three attempts on the same bill. D.P.S. allows three attempts. read more

Not happy at all with this driving school. I paid 375 to send my kid to driving school, admittedly she was/is nervous about driving. She had her first drive time Friday night, and she told the instructor up front she had only driven once in the high school parking lot, and was not comfortable getting on a main road or highway, well the instructor told her she was going to anyway, and my kid panicked and drove up on a curb. She was assured it wasn't a big deal that they had insurance. Fast forward to today, and I try to schedule more drive time for her and she isn't in the system anymore. They are not allowing her to return due to her "being too much of a risk". I was not offered a refund for paid services either, and was told that no, I won't be getting a refund because it's costing them 700 to fix the car. Hello, I know they have insurance!!! If these people can't teach nervous kids, they have no business taking people's money. I've already talked to several other driving schools and they have all said this was mishandled. You can bet I will be spreading this message far and wide to anyone who has up and coming driving age children. DON'T GO TO CTDS FOR DRIVERS ED!!! read more

I recently had to take a CE class for my driving teacher license. I took the class, test and got a print out of the certificate. The quality that was presented online was not a legitimate looking certificate. I made a phone call and was told it would be acceptable. The lady was pleasant and cooperative. Well I am very cautious and OCD about documents. I sent an email explaining what I really expected and needed in reference to a certificate showing I completed a class. I got an immediate response and a perfect copy of the certificate needed to send to TDLR. I am a very satisfied customer and grateful for the convenience of the online certs provide. Thank you Central Driving School. I will definitely refer you to all Driving teachers who need classes. read more

I was driving behind a student driver a couple of days ago. They NEVER used a blinker at the correct time. They came to a complete stop then turned their blinker on, mind you this was not in a turning lane but a two lane road. Before that they turned and didn't even use a blinker, what in the world was the instructor doing? There is a distance before you turn that your blinker should be on. Now I know why most people in Waco don't use a blinker they are certainly not taught as this driving school. DO NOT SEND YOUR CHILD HERE. They will not learn the correct way to drive, along with the rules of the road. read more

The school is good for the classroom training but when it comes to behind the wheel it's horrible. We looked everyday for 3 weeks got a behind the wheel scheduled,..they called 2 hours before the scheduled time due to their car breaking down. The solution is to wait another 16 days ....it will be 1.5 months between drives now....absolutely horrible!!!!! I will not send our other 3 kids to this school. Don't waste your money/time. read more

So I wanna start out with the fact that the driving teacher was awesome (Mr. Carruth) he was very patient and kind. However on my last observation (with a different instructor not Mr. Carruth) after I drove I was made to sit in between two adult males in the backseat (I was underage at the time) I am very tall and broad shouldered and being forced into the middle seat was very painful, not to mention uncomfortable with the strange men squished against me. When I came to take my driving test the husband and wife owners were arguing in front of me and my mother while we got my paperwork in order. When we got in the car I informed her (the owner/ test proctor) that I am slightly hard of hearing and that I have an anxiety disorder, she very insensitivity told me to "just shake off my nerves", She never explained anything to me about the test then insisted that she couldn't talk to me. The woman mumbled and got very irritated and rude when I asked her to repeat herself. I failed the test because even though My parallel park was near perfect somehow she came up with that I was 6 foot away from the curb, I was not. She said I was going to slow (5 under) and that because I stopped at an intersection with no stop sign when a man in a very large truck went past his stop sign appeared as if he was not going to stop (I was driving defensively) and that I needed more practice because I still needed to "shake those nerves" (I would if I could). It is VERY obvious that this woman and her husband are only in this for the money. When my mother asked why I failed (after she had just criticized me in the car) all she could say was "well.... she just needs more practice, and she drives too stow, doesn't pay attention to direction (I could not hear her), she was wayyyy to nervous and she's just got to GET OVER THAT". She failed me only because she wanted another $50 dollars out of us (each attempt is an additional $50 on top of the $375 for the class) These people are greedy and will only see your children as a profit, nothing else. It is unbelievable that I failed a test the day after I had an instructor tell me my driving was perfect. I was disrespected for having a disability (anxiety) and that will never be ok. read more

Amazing job! Gave our daughter a practice test before she took license one on her birthday. They were very kind, informative on what she needed to do for her real test and patient! When we went for license test on her birthday- wonderful! They were on time. Has paperwork ready when she passed. Went straight to DMV- got in line with call ahead. Got her license and took her test within 2 hours all done! Highly recommend! read more

Extremely great place to take your driving test. My son took his test there today as it was highly recommended. The small fee was very worth it. Very accurate and efficient instructors who make you feel comfortable. Be sure you are prepared for test because they do follow the state guidelines as required! read more

My teen took just his driving test here, after the student taught program. It was GREAT!!! Test instructor was awesome! I highly recommend.

My son went to the class there for 2 today The abstractor called me and told me on phone That my son cannot wear a hoodie or He will be kicked out of the school she was very rude on the phone and very disrespectful so when I when to talk to her in person she was still very disrespectful They racially profile my son because he had a hoodie they are very prejudice their against black people do not send your child they if he is black the instructors are very prejudiced in pick or black people I will be seeking a lawsuit against the driving to school for being very racist against my son and disrespecting me please do not send your children there they do not care about your child they Only Cared about a hoodie They didn't even tell him what website to go on Please do not send your child there they do not care Specially if they are black people She also reimburse me my money in want let him coming to her class anymore read more

This is a great place to lose money on. My son took their class passed it no problem then when he went to take his driving test he was failed for parallel parking. The polls used for parallel parking it turns out we're not in the proper location. The one represents the drivers door on the .car in front of you it's supposed to be 9 feet from the curb there's is more like 3 feet I do not have an exact measurement . I spoke with other driving schools about this and they confirmed after looking at pictures that I took that this is not the proper set up according to state standards. I believe they are using this to collect as much money as they can doing as little as possible . I'm not making this up anybody can verify what I have mentioned I'd simply driving out there in looking at their parallel parking polls. I recommend sending your kids to little more honest and reputable driving school. read more

I noticed there are not really any good reviews on here so I thought i would post for the parents that actually do look at reviews. Well I signed my son up and he is on his 3rd week of the class and has drove with them once, so far everything seems great. He seems to be learning and having fun. Any time I have a question they are happy to answer it and they are never rude or ugly. I didn't give them 5 stars because with everything there is always room for improvement. I like that all I have to do is drive with my son extra I don't have to teach him anything about the book work. My son is a student that usually needs notes and studies but with this class the kids don't take notes or study cause the teachers make sure they know the material. He is passing with high grades and they seem to make sure he is learning and enjoying the class. I already have him signed up for other driving times we just haven't gotten to them yet. When my son did drive with them the guy was very nice according to my son and helped him understand a lot. My son came home and told me different things he needed to work on and was happy with the drive. I will post again when we are done. I do think this is a great program so far and i am glad i picked this school. read more