My son and I had a bad experience with Colorado Driving Institute - CDI at 2850 Iris Ave # I2 in Boulder for driving tests. I feel this business has some unethical practices that need to be revealed, and stopped. In summer of 2022, my son took a driving test at CDI. The instructor Ed came back , said that my son made a long list of mistakes and failed the test. I asked Ed to repeat some of the details so I could write them down, he refused, and said he didn't have the time. He then said these to me and my son: "You can retake the test, but I'm not sure you can pass. " "I recommend you take this 2-hour driving lesson; after the lesson you are pretty much guaranteed to pass the test ." The test result came as a surprise because my son had a lot more practice than his older siblings back when they were taking the tests and they passed the test on the first try. I was expecting him to pass the test w/o issue. But given the fact that the instructor brought up so many issues, I thought perhaps the boy got nervous and totally messed up the test. I paid and signed up for the driving lesson. On our way home, my son was in tears saying that he disagreed with most of the issues the instructor brought up but he didn't get an opportunity to explain, or ask questions on his conclusions. He then took the lesson, and his impression about the lesson was that it didn't really offer anything new for him to learn. Took another test again with this same instructor Ed. After the test, Ed told us that my son failed the test again, and the issue was at one point his following distance was not long enough. Ed again recommended repeating the 2-hr driving lesson. I asked him for a copy of the piece of paper he used to record issues during the test; he refused and said the business doesn't do paper any more, and I'll get an email on the detailed issues found. But I never received any such emails for this test, or the prior. I decided not to take the lesson as I don't see the value of redoing the same driving lesson again just to fix the single issue on following distance. While I was waiting there during my son's test, I talked to a student who just failed the test with the instructor Ed. To my surprise his test took almost an hour while typically it'd only take around 15 minutes. Later my son took the test else where and passed on the first try with them. According to him, that experience was a lot easier than the prior 2 tests he took with Ed the instructor at CDI. The impression I'm getting is that CDI, and especially Ed the instructor, seems to be very much after driving lesson revenue. They go out of their way to make students fail. The DMV granted them the authority to provide an essential service of conducting driving tests for students. They conveniently abuse this power and turn it into their profit stream. I think their practices are unethical and must stop. DMV used to offer such service free of additional charge to the parents. Now parents will have to pay additional charge to the driving schools for such services. And again pay for repeated tests to some of these greedy businesses who prey on students. Does DMV reimbursement these parents? If not, do they get some kind of tax refund now that DMV is providing less service? Send your complaints against this business to this email at DMV. I was told by the lady at DMV that they treat complaints seriously and they do investigate and audit these businesses. dor_dmvcommunications@state.co.us read more

I was braced. I didn't look at reviews until after I paid for my lesson & test. I know most people post on Yelp when they are mad. Im posting because I'm very happy with my experience. I took a 2hr refresher course with Larry. It was great, informative, improved my driving. Test with Ed had a few "gotcha" points but overall I felt the testing & feedback was fair. I passed. read more

SCAM!!! SCAM!!! I needed to use CDI for a road test to satisfy requirements for the DMV. Note: I am 51yo and have a clean driving record and NO criminal record. I did my road test with a few minor deductions(using a "hook" hand movement for turns, not stopping before the white line) but I was failed because I drove 25mph in UNPOSTED residential areas. The instructor said this happens all the time because Boulder's residential areas are 20MPH. I am not from Boulder and have no way of knowing this if it isn't POSTED. Again, he said this happens all the time? He offered to let me retest the next day for another $55. No, thank you. PLEASE AVOID this unscrupulous company! -Forced to be a Karen read more

A scam! They fabricate reasons to fail you so that you must come back the next day to pay their $80 fee again. The older Caucasian guy who gives the tests is a complete con-artist and lair. I have reported their abuse and fraud to the CO Attorney General's Office and with the CO DMV. If they have scammed you as well, which is likely b/c their office is right outside of the Boulder DMV. Please email: dor_dmvcommunications@state.co.us read more

Fascinating! My wife had the same experience as everyone else. We live in Boulder (not SF). She's the most careful driver I know and her test went without any incident, so she was very surprised when he failed her. A couple of days later she went back for another test and the same instructor passed her. He said he couldn't believe she got failed the first time around ... but he was the person who failed her. I started thinking this sounded like a convenient way for them to increase their yearly revenue and then I saw all of these reviews. And after years, they're still doing it. Wow. read more

They don't even know the laws. Told me I had to use my blinker in a roundabout. This law was changed in 2021. You do not have to use a viewer according to Colorado Court of appeals. This place is a money scam. I'm 38 with no wrecks and 1 ticket my entire life and was failed my first attempt by a kid no older than 20. Fuck this place. read more

The man who gives driving license tests, Ed, was awful. He interfered with my test moments after I caught myself from turning left into oncoming traffic (I braked, then he slammed on his test-giver breaks, causing me to fail). He lectured my father about driving for nearly 15 minutes after my test and was very rude to both of us. All my friends have had similar issues with Ed: misogynistic moments, inappropriate flirting with a mom, general rudeness, as well as lots of debate about safe driving. Would not recommend for taking a driving test at all. read more

AVOID! Should have looked at the previous reviews first. Similar experience, driving went well and then Ed failed me for double checking before merging into traffic after a right turn. Very much seems like they fail you just to make more money. I have a foreign DL and have driven accident free for 20+ years, for reference. read more

I would consider this place a scam. I did a driving test which meant driving around neighborhoods with no real experience with driving on roads, highways, stop lights, etc. I consider myself a good driver yet this was a total scam. Please, go elsewhere if you need a driving evaluation. DO NOT waste your time. They will only find ways to take more of your money. read more

Scam. Took the motorcycle test. Proctor showed me the test, teased about how a lot of people fail bc they can't follow directions. I took note and made sure to ask clarifying questions. He gave me points on the first test, never explained why. To my knowledge, I completed the first test perfectly. The second test was confusing. I asked to clarify that I had to stay within the RED lines. He said Yes. When I did, I failed the test bc I had to stay between the yellow lines (a lot easier). When I stopped, he came up to me with a huge smirk on his face saying "you know what you did right?" And laughed. He continued to laugh when explaining that I can sign up again with them with a $20 discount. When my coach went inside to ask what I needed to work on- the proctor became defensive and asked "what do you think we are doing something fishy here" and immediately started to get into his face. VERY UNPROFESSIONAL. Proctor takes joy out of failing people. Side note: he eventually explained that HE might have misheard me when I asked about the RED lines. So, I failed bc HE MISHEARD ME. read more

Do not go to this driving school! I was failed on my first driving test because I didn't see a stop sign, (it was covered with a huge tree branch), anyhow I knew it was my mistake, I should have been more observant, So I went for another test, and this time I was extra careful especially about stop signs and even then he failed me saying I didn't stop properly at almost all of the stop signs, and I was so surprised because I clearly remember coming to a complete halt/stop and then taking the turn (also he didn't mention anything like this last time, if I am not stopping properly the second time then I would have done the same the first time and when I told my husband this he said it's impossible because I am even more careful than him on stop signs) and then he asked me to take a 2 hour class with him, at that point I sensed there is something wrong with this. The owner/instructor Ed might be doing this to make more money. I've since looked up the instructor/owner online, and I've found other bad reviews about him. People have said that he makes up excuses to fail people. I would strongly advise you to avoid this driving school. If you're looking for a driving school, I would recommend doing your research before you sign up. Don't waste your time and money on this scam school. read more

I tried to schedule a 4 hour driver awareness class but was told "we are not offering that right now". The only thing that would fulfill the requirements is the 30hour course which is obviously more expensive. Obviously they are trying to up sell and make more money... GO SOMEWHERE THAT WONT "bait and switch ". read more

After having a less than desirable experience at a Denver driving school, my sister-in-law recommended that we take our test at CDI. I highly recommend them for both learning and taking the driving teat due to their communication, calm personalities, and uplifting spirit. All of the other students looked to be just as happy coming and going. read more

Their policies on rescheduling lessons are rigid and unfair. I had a scheduled lesson with Michael, but I was exhausted during the lesson. Michael got frustrated with me and cut the lesson short by half an hour, and the people at the front desk wouldn't refund me for the half hour. Michael said that I shouldn't be driving when I don't feel fully alert, but the Colorado Driving School has a policy where you can't reschedule your lesson for free less than 24 hours before, even if you're feeling sick. This policy is unsafe. read more

During COVID-19 situation, I took 2hr practical class lesson. Therefore, I did my field test five times through CDI, and failed every time. Then, I changed this institution, participated from another driving school, and I passed. Actually, CDI don't want to give you pass mark. If you fail more and more they will get more money. It is their policy. So, be careful about CDI! read more

DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR BUSINESS! Money Scam!! We scheduled an appointment with this company for a driver's test needed to get a driver's license reinstated. We paid the $80 fee and on the day of the appointment when we are on our way from Johnstown to Boulder, we get a phone call saying that they would need to reschedule due to snow, they scheduled us 4 days out. On the day of the appointment, as we were driving from Johnstown to Boulder, they called and said they would need to reschedule AGAIN due to the weather. We asked for a refund so we could go somewhere else as a license is urgent for my husband's job, they denied our request and said they can't refund us. We asked to speak to a supervisor and explained the situation and he HUNG UP on us. I called back to reschedule and was told they WON"T reschedule us or refund us as my husband grew frustrated on the phone. We were told that we would need to speak to the owner who would call us upon return to the office (in approximately a week and a half as he is on vacation). We live in COLORADO! The fact that they told him they would have to reschedule then told him to come in and test and if there was any type of slippage it would be an automatic fail is absolutely ridiculous as we would have to pay AGAIN to re-test. The unprofessional communication/lack of communication has been frustrating and the fact that they won't allow us to cancel for a refund without first speaking to the owner is even more ridiculous. read more

Ed is the most disrespectful person I have come across in a long time, made fun of my name (am not american) then failed me for no reason and demanded I pay him more money to reschedule, when he already caused me to reschedule once which I had to pay for. Either this man is straight up disrespectful to everyone or he is just plain racist. read more

Made an appointment for 3, was ignored when I walked in an Wasn't helped for over 30 min. I'm 22 and am in the process of getting my license back after a DUI and thought that instead of doing the driving test through the dmv that this place would be a better replacement. I was absolutely wrong. read more

Sent all six of our family members through this school and everyone had a great experience. Ed was incredibly helpful and taught my son great driving habits. Thank you CDI! read more