I took lessons with Kirt in May-June 2025 as an adult driving student (28). I had some prior driving experience over a decade ago, but had never gotten my license, and was at first nervous about getting on the road. Kirt was everything I could have asked for in a driving instructor and more. He was exceptionally patient and supportive and gave excellent instruction at all stages of the way. As my comfort level with driving increased during the first lesson, he allowed me to move up from first driving in residential areas, to busier streets, and gave specific training on every skill required for the driving test (roadside parking, reversing, lane changes, unprotected left turns, right turns on red, etc.). Kirt placed great emphasis on "scanning" at every intersection and other defensive driving techniques (checking the rear-view mirror before speed bumps, etc.), which allowed me to develop skills to feel safe and confident on the road. Before we started each lesson, Kirt would make a brief game plan, often on a whiteboard or a notepad, of specific skills to practice--so you will not be driving around aimlessly but working on real techniques that will be tested. Kirt knows the Bay Area extremely well and has specific spots in mind to practice each skill. When I would make a mistake, he was quick to correct me, but was supportive and never critical, and I could feel myself improving during each lesson. Occasionally I would ask for his help practicing techniques that are not on the test, but I might nonetheless use in my everyday life (like parallel parking or three-way turns), and he was happy to oblige as well. Kirt was punctual, professional, and friendly. He is extraordinarily committed to teaching safe driving, and is also a great conversationalist, and made me feel very comfortable while driving. I cannot imagine a better driving instructor. I got the "Gold" package - 3 lessons (2 hours each) + 1 hour of prep and use of the Local Driving car on the road test. I passed on my first try in El Cerrito and felt very confident during the test. It is worth noting though that I got some practice in between lessons (around 10-15 hours total), and so those otherwise without access to a car might consider signing up for more lessons. Sufficient behind-the-wheel experience is really crucial for passing the test. But if you train with Kirt and listen to what he tells you, you stand a great chance of passing on your first try. read more

This place is amazing! If you're thinking of hiring a driving school to help you on your journey, look no further. I was a bit skeptical because the price can be a little high but, honestly, you get what you pay for. I bought the five class pack and ended up purchasing an extra class on the side because i'm just a very nervous and anxious person when it comes to driving. I was panicking a little when I had my first class so Druh drove to the Berkeley Marina. I loved that she taught me where things were in the car (defrosters, emergency lights, turn signals, where to place the mirrors for the best view, etc.) and she narrated what she was doing the entire drive over. She was sooo patient and never freaked out or raised her voice when I made a mistake. She watched for things I was missing and noted them as we drove, saying things like don't forget to look over your right shoulder on right turns (i often forgot this) or just providing tips for making driving easier as we progressed in our classes. She also gave me affirmations which helped a lot because it can be easy to feel overwhelmed or like you're not doing well/advancing at a pace you want. There were a lot of things I liked about the way they format the practices. They go at your pace, focus on things you need more practice on, and the tips + practice tests are my favorite part. My friends and family were definitely not going to help me feel this prepared for my test. I passed my driving test on my first try! I found it super helpful that the instructor picks you up on the day of your test and you can take the test in their car. They also schedule your driving test for you, talk about full service! Anyway, I wasn't able to sleep much the night before my test because I was so nervous and I kept forgetting certain things during my final practice before my test. I'm glad I had that final opportunity to ask final questions, practice a bit before my test and chat with Druh for a bit before the actual test. It helped calm my nerves a TON! I wasn't able to learn to drive on the freeway and don't feel comfortable doing so with friends/family yet so I will be returning for that. With this driving school and Druh, I feel like a pretty knowledgable driver. Now I correct my friends who have been driving for years! I highly recommend this place and ask for Druh! I only had classes with her, she's great! read more

The five star rating is well deserved for this driving school. The lessons were not only the best, but the friendly attitude and flexibility of the instructors was a bonus. I remember in particular, how well the instructors handled my anxiety when taking me on to the freeway and through some of the other challenges of parallel parking, changing lanes etc These were instructors that were not only teaching but also listening, and I so much appreciated that quality in the instructors. Their cars were clean, the instructors were on time for appointments or informed me in advance about rescheduling, sometimes worked with changing schedules, dealt with all the paper work at the DMZ, flexible with payment options etc When I failed my test, they were not only great with helping in rescheduling my appointment, but also supportive in keeping my up morale and determination. For one who is on the learning curve, that attitude and encouragement from an instructor goes a long way in the whole learning experience. I was moving to LA on work, and had to be able to drive before the move. I had a pretty short window to get this license, and Manish and his team made it happen. Today, as I drive through the crazy LA traffic, I cannot forget this driving school that got me here. Am grateful to Manish and his team. There is no doubt, this school is a great way to start your journey with driving!!! read more

I recently relocated through work over to the US from the UK about 2 months ago and realized that I will need to start driving over here and as soon as possible (We have a baby due in July, a month and half away so it was now or never!!) I wanted to find a driving school that helped adult drivers get their license. I am so very happy that I chose to go with the local driving school. My Instructor, Ric was awesome! He was always on time or early for my lessons and was friendly, calm and understanding making me feel comfortable in every stressful situation. He took the time to always explain where I was going wrong so I could learn from my mistakes. I was also impressed with how flexible the driving school was when it came to booking lessons. Learning to drive while you are working full time can be very difficult and stressful, but the local driving school made it so easy and would always accommodate my requests and help work out best times to have my lessons around my schedule. I have never driven before and I learned to drive in about a month having lessons about 3 days a week and passed my test first time! I can't recommend this school enough to anyone in the East Bay Area! A big thanks to Ric and the local driving school for making learning to drive a great experience!!! read more

These guys are great. I was searching around for a good driving school because i'm an adult driver who doesn't have her license yet and wanted to get it in a month in preparation for a cross-country trip. I tried two driving schools (one that was 40 minutes late the first time, one that cancelled at the last minute) before finding Local. Matty was professional and charming on the phone. The lady at the school always called to confirm my lessons the day before. Rick, my driving instructor for my three great 2-hour lessons, made me feel relaxed and confident behind the wheel. He helped me get on the freeway - which i'd been scared to do - and it ended up being a piece of cake. When i called to ask if i needed an extra lesson before my test, they could have easily squeezed another $100 out of me but she called my driving instructor who said i didn't need it as long as i practiced all the tips he taught me with my boyfriend at home. Good people. Nate came with me on the day of the driving test and gave me last minute tips advice the hour before the test and helped me to relax. And surprise surprise, i passed!! The full package (7hrs driving lessons including using the car for the day of the test) cost $445 and was totally worth it. Thanks guys!! read more

I already had some experience with driving prior to booking my lessons, but Sean helped me build good habits. He's very observant! He immediately noticed and helped me correct a lot of bad habits I didn't realize I had. He also never rushed me and really helped me build confidence with every step. My next instructor, Druh, was incredibly helpful when it came to preparing me for my behind-the-wheel test. We went over all the sections of the test, and I drove through almost all locations I would later come across in my actual test. She helped me overcome my weaknesses as well and created a calm, encouraging atmosphere that greatly helped with my anxiety. She also looked past the behind-the-wheel test and taught me skills that should help me with everyday driving. Kirt was my last-minute instructor switch for the day of my test. He was friendly, calming, and very informative! In a short time, he was able help me feel prepared and confident going into the test--which I was able to pass! Their lessons are truly worth every penny. I would recommend their school to every adult driver who needs help passing their BTW tests. :D read more

To begin with, I had no idea what to expect as this is my first time with a driving school as a young adult. I took my driver's test the first time and I did not pass. I was extremely hesitant to take it a second time, which is why I decided to do some research and found Local Driving School. I was able to easily book lessons on the website, and since my driver's permit was about to expire I was in desperation to pass my driver's test. Within two weeks, I was able to complete my three lessons and my driver's test! I had the amazing opportunity to work with Dru and Kirt. Specifically, Kirt was a phenomenal driving instructor; he encouraged and supported me throughout the entire process. He was extremely patient and definitely knows what he is doing! Yesterday, within 30 minutes I was able to take my test at the DMV and I passed all thanks to Kirt! He took me to the route multiple times, and explained what to expect. He answered all my questions and concerns! I 100% recommend this school to anyone that is looking to learn how to drive and pass their driver's test! read more

We had a very disappointing experience with this driving school. We chose them because we had heard good things, but unfortunately, our experience was the opposite. The instructors were unprofessional and seemed overconfident. It felt like they were just going through the motions instead of genuinely caring about teaching their students. Some of them appeared more concerned about taking their breaks and making sure they got their coffee on time than focusing on helping students learn to drive safely and confidently. If a student already knows how to drive, the lessons may be useful as practice, but for someone who is trying to learn properly, the instruction is not worth the amount of money they charge. We also tried to contact the office several times to discuss our concerns. Despite calling numerous times, no one followed up or made any effort to resolve the issue. The staff was unhelpful and showed little concern for customer satisfaction. Overall, we are extremely disappointed with our experience and would not recommend this driving school to anyone. read more

I cannot recommend this driving school enough. I've had three lessons with them twice with Druh and once with Kirt. Both instructors were very kind and knowledge individuals and honed my skills behind the wheel. Druh was super informative and taught me a lot of different skills every driver should know, such as various acronyms that can assist you while driving. She also answered a lot of my questions to assist me in different scenarios I wasn't sure about. She is great at communication and very level headed. She wants her students to succeed and does a great job achieving that. Kirt is another instructor who taught me a lot behind the wheel. He taught me defensive driving and being alert and attentive to my surroundings. Both instructors are fantastic at their job and assisted me to getting my license with a perfect score. If you need a driving school in the Bay Area I cannot recommend this place enough. If you're an adult driver like me who doesn't really have time or chance to practice, go with this school it is 110% worth it read more

I bought the Gold Package, so 6 Hours In-Car-Driving +3 Hours (Prep. + Road Test) and I was lucky to have Druh as my instructor. The office and Druh were super responsive and efficient, which allowed me to get my license in three weeks and on the first attempt. Druh is a great instructor who trained me not only to get my license but also to become a good driver. On top of that, the conversation was always very pleasant and I could discover a little more of Berkeley while perfecting my driving skills. The organization is very convenient, Druh picked me up and dropped me off at either my home or my office depending on the schedule. For the test at the DMV, everything was taken care of (the appointment, the car and the insurance), which is really great for me, being in the USA for only two months and not really familiar with all the paperwork. So I highly recommend Local Driving School and Druh for the quality of the lessons and the organization. Thanks a lot Druh! read more

Highly recommended!! Kirt was the best driver instructor ever! I gained new knowledge and he helped me pass the exam by telling me all the important things, like SMOG and SIPDE. I was really nervous I thought I wouldn't make it but kirt believed that I could make it with all his tips, I just have to apply them. Which I did! I PASSED the test the first time and I got a perfect score , NO ERRORS with all his help!!! He was good at reassuring and encouraging. He was very patient too. I will never forget him and I will recommend him to my friend. He has a good sense of humor as well. God bless him more. I did my roadtest in Vallejo! The area was challenging with potholes and railway tracks and the line marks were fading, but the examiner James was very friendly, I was nervous at first but he managed to calm me down. He's the best. Nothing to say, just fantastic. He made my day. So happy I got my driver's license for the first time, on the first try!! read more

My daughter got her license through Local Driving School. I purchased the Gold Package. My daughter was extremely nervous at first but came home excited for her next behind the wheel lesson. She said the instructor that she had made her feel very at ease and comfortable with the situation. I was very pleased with the office staff's manners and politeness as well as the availability to schedule my daughters appointments around our schedule. They talked her through everything that she needed to know. I even learned some things from her that I myself didn't know, so I went and enrolled myself into a refresher course from Local Driving School because over the years I had built up a lot of bad habits. My driving is so much better. I can even parallel park on the first try, something I have never been able to do in my 20 plus years of driving. If I was asked which driving school I would recommend to anyone, I would highly recommend Local Driving School. read more

Im so happy because I pass my driving test the first time. My experience with Local Driving School was awesome my instructor was a very nice young lady called Shen(don't know if spells like that), she was very nice and give me a lot of tips and information make feel confident and when I messed up in something, she was very calm and always under control. I have some driving class before with another school and was a nightmare because the person who teaches was so mean, and when I make a mistake she scream at me making feel so scared and nervous. I didn't have this problem with this school, I think they are really well prepared to teach any person, teens, adults, and of course very nervous and scared like me, because with Shan, all that was gone, and now I'm a proud and confident driver but most important a safe driver. Thanks Local Driving School. read more

I passes my driving test today. Thank you so much Kirt for the wonderful tips before the test,(possible routes, certain signs to watch out,etc)those were absolutely so helpful. He also told me sth about the colors of the curbs, good to know! I am just appreciated to have him take me to the test. Also, I took my lessons wiht Erica, Matt, Daniel and Steve. Erica is so amiable that she patiently analyzes all situations I may get into whenever I do sth dangerously. Matt is very humorous and it is kind of chill to drive with him. Daniel is so patient and nice that he even gave me a present during Chirstmas! Love it! Steve is really a great instructor, he never pushes you to do anything if you don't feel comfortable. Overall, I will say the whole experience with local driving school is delightful. read more

I chose local driving school through a friends recommendation and happy to say that i did not regret it. I had no driving experience and being new in this country i had no one to teach me either. This people really took care of me. I was so nervous, told the instructor that i have never driven before and the answer i got was don't worry, you will be fine, we got you. It was just amazing experience learning how to drive from these guys. The name of my instructor is mani sondhi, he does an awesome job, he is super calm. i did make lot of mistakes at first and he was just so polite while telling me about it. I would like to recommend them to all the 'to be' drivers. if u guys want a good service this is the place. oh i forgot to say i got my license on the first go. thank u so much mani sondhi. read more

As a first-time driving student, I had an excellent experience learning with Kirt, Ricardo, and Sean at Local Driving School. All three instructors were highly experienced, patient, and dedicated to ensuring I understood the controls and essential driving skills. They helped build my confidence behind the wheel. I'm thrilled to share that I passed my road test on the first try! A special thank you to Kirt, who guided me through my final lesson and the hour of preparation before the test. He made sure I had mastered all the necessary skills to be a safe and competent driver. I highly recommend Local Driving School to anyone learning to drive for the first time and looking to earn their driver's license. Their professional instruction and support make all the difference! read more

I highly recommend Local Driving School. Mani and the team are very professional and responsive. I am the mother of a teenage daughter who is learning to drive for the first time. I must say that on the first day of my daughter's driving lesson Ricardo, her driving instructor, showed up on time and was very reassuring to me as a nervous parent. The 2nd day my daughter was scheduled for her driving lesson she woke up with a very bad cold. Even though there is a 24-hour cancellation requirement. Mani, the owner, worked with us to reschedule at the last minute. My daughter's feedback is the following: "Rick and Ricardo both had very good techniques, were comfortable to drive with and made me feel confident about my driving!" Thanks Local Driving School! -Lorrie read more

I had Druh, Mani and Kurt as my instructors. They are all super friendly, patient, and experienced. Druh was my first and third instructor. She was excellent in teaching the basics with clear explanations. I especially liked her notes and illustrations. Sometimes without the illustrations it can be confusing to know what mistakes I made. Kurt took me to the road test. We practiced for an hour and he was extremely good at finding even the smallest issues in my driving. I passed my road test the first time. Overall my experience with local driving school was excellent. Tips: if you don't have any experience in driving before, don't expect taking the 6-hour course and pass the road test. You need to practice a lot out of the driving courses to get the most out of it. read more

This is THE BEST driving school in the Bay Area. First of all you can't beat their customer service. Other driving schools are impossible to get a hold of. But this one, they call you right back if they miss your phone call and the woman on the phone is such a star: super friendly and went above and beyond to help me. I had classes with both Vincent and Ricky and they were both friendly, calm and their method was extremely efficient. They know exactly what they're doing! They took me to the DMV area to practice and asked me what I wanted to learn. I am 23 and I had close to no experience. Got my permit on August 4th and I have my behind the wheel test in a month (October 29th) and I feel so confident. Thank you guys so much. Definitely recommend this school! read more