I'm acc Cole's #1 fan, ignore any bad reviews, the instructors are the best there is and super knowledgeable and make it a fun and teaching experience, i left the school with a smile every day and i'd suggest this to any of my friends to attend it aswell. read more

I passed my test on the first try and it's hands down all thanks to Jeannie! She's a fantastic teacher and I wouldn't have passed my test if it wasn't for her and PVDS! read more

Been waiting over 2 months for any response - prepaid for driving lessons for my daughter, who did the written class, but was not provided with the written materials we paid for, and has not received any notice about when she will get her behind the wheel driving lessons. Multiple email attempts and phone attempts with no answer. read more

Over the last five months, two members of our family, at different times, attended Pioneer Vally Driving School. The training, classes and support were exceptional. Staff provided us with clear feedback on areas that we needed to improve in and tips on how to be successful on the driving test. Both of us passed the driving and written test with ease. We are incredibly appreciative and thankful for their patience and excellent support. read more

Tough to compare the quality of driving lessons, without comparing against other companies but my experience has been fair. Did highway driving, parallel parking, 3 point turns etc. Would say the instruction could be a little more organised and better scheduled - of the hour available we spent 30 minutes just driving to the parallel parking spot in UMass. The Prius they use is a little finicky, and not the best to learn on, given some of its unique elements. A more standard car would take less time to get used to, and would remove the confusion when looking for the right buttons and levers. The major negative is the difficulty I've had in communicating and booking a class. Phone typically goes to voicemail, and emails go unanswered for several days, despite follow ups. read more

The driving training exceeded expectations! The driving test felt like kind of a racket. The instructor I had for lessons was curt and all-business, which worked fine for me. She definitely knew how to teach the skill. Not particularly friendly but not rude. She gives it to you straight, including positive feedback when appropriate. For the test, you can pay a third the cost at the DMV and have better odds of getting a friendly/fair evaluation. PVDS has a couple testers come in from Greenfield I think, and one was famously grumpy & picky. Fortunately I got the other one but she was also not happy to be there. Heads up that the small fleet of cars at PVDS are all the same type of car (small, easy to handle) but at least one is noticeably older, so if you happen to learn on a newer car and test on an old one, it could probably mess a new driver up. Kind of an expensive risk overall. Between the cost, known testers, and the risk of testing on a car you've never driven, I wouldn't recommend taking the test here. They're good teachers and have passable customer service but the test is just a bad deal. If you can swing it, learn to drive here, then test at the Springfield or Greenfield DMV. read more

Pioneer valley driving school has been great to work with from beginning to end. If you had questions they were quick to respond and my son is a much better driver because of the instructors at the school! Keep up the great work. I don't envy you read more

It has been about 4 months since i got my license. I waited a while to write this just to see how my driving holds up in different situations when i'm not accompanied by one of the PVDS instructors. Long story short, i think it holds up very well. The instructors really stress on defensive driving and actually prepare you to handle real-life situations. I took quite a few classes but i think it was worth it as i remember almost everything that was taught to me and am able to apply it while i drive. Pretty much the only practise i needed outside of class was for night time driving and driving on the freeway. They also teach you the maneuvers for the test really well so you are well equipped to pass in your first attempt (atleast this was the case for me). read more

If you can avoid it do. They basically ripped us off for the entire enrollment, denied us the driver training. Poor communication, poor customer service, basically they just were a big hassle. I think they know that people are stuck using them, so they don't care. But if you do have a choice avoid at all costs read more

The instructor I had was very strict in driving, very awesome personality, felt very safe and comfortable but at the same time she was very strict in enforcing driving policies and really look to promote safe defensive driving. Awesome lessons should be worth 100$ an hour rather than 65$ read more

Bottom line: they're not glitzy, but they're solid. I'm pleased. That's the bottom line. More detail: - I watched my son improve markedly and steadily, with their lessons, even though he did not admit that he was learning anything ;-) - Their business manager at the front desk, Alyssa, is brisk but very helpful - helped to make things go smoothly. Honestly, I'm grateful. - The instructors that I met seemed like nice folks. - Taking the driver's test, on the cars that students practiced on, in Amherst, with PVDS easing us through the bureaucracy, was well worth it. (Nice that they have a fleet of hybrids.) - Their support was especially valuable, when the RMV road test examiner entered another dimension of reality, after returning to the parking lot, having completed a perfect test. After we saw my son pull up and stop in front of us, the examiner instructed my son to do a weird maneuver, and then seemed intent on failing him for it; the senior PVDS person, in the back seat, politely opined that it was not an clear request. Weird lecture and scolding ensued, but test was passed! He could not have stood up for himself credibly in this situation, so I appreciate this support. Bottom line: they're not glitzy, but they're solid. I'm pleased. That's the bottom line. read more

I paid them $100 for my road test and also paid them to take some drive lessons. But the truth is I didn't even have a chance to take my test. Because my permit shows corrective lenses restriction, but I did LASIK laser surgery this year. The instructor from my drive lesson told me it would be OK to bring some documents to show my eyes work well, otherwise I need to lie to the tester I wear a contact lens. I don't want to lie to the tester so when the tester asked me about the problem, I said I was not wearing contact lens as I did a surgery, also with some documents in my pocket. Then I lost my chance. I am so confused why I should tell a lie to be given a chance for my road test, even though my eyes works well now. At that time I was so frustrated, but I must say the tester emphasis that I don't fail the test, and I only need to renew my information to RMV and reschedule another test. I accepted what she said. But the person in charge of the drive school kept saying it's not their fault. He was so rude, that always interrupt me, show disrespect and racist. He also said I should have told a lie to the tester, which is unbelievable. Anyway, I mean I did not fail the test, but cannot take the test(their fault) and have to reschedule another one, so why should I pay $100? At last, everybody should avoid this drive school. read more

My daughter learned to drive at Pioneer Valley Driving School. She found the classroom sessions interesting and pertinent to learning to drive safely. She came home with frequent "Mom, did you know this about driving?" And although I've been driving for more than 30 years, I got new insights into habits that had long ago become automatic. All our dealings with School employees were positive. My daughter initially approached driving with timidity, but her lessons turned her into a safe and confident driver. All issues were addressed promptly, and we were always treated with respect and sensitivity. I felt that the owner was eager to know about problems so they could be corrected. The road test examiner was not exactly Mr. Personality, but they are trained and supplied by the by the Registry of Motor Vehicles, not the driving school. After the usual number of driving lessons, my daughter approached the test with enough confidence in her skills so that she was unfazed by the gruff demeanor of the examiner. When we moved from Western Massachusetts, she handled big city driving congestion like a pro. I am happy that I entrusted my daughter's driving education to Pioneer Valley Driving School. read more

BEWARE OF PVDA! I am not very fond of writing reviews as I don't have time out of my busy academic schedule. However, I feel morally obligated to share my experiences at Pioneer Valley Driving School (PVDA) at Amherst, MA. I hope this will enable others to make a wise and conscious decision before taking classes from this driving school. The goal of Pioneer Valley Driving School seems to be to get maximum profit out of you and make your quest for a driver's license a hell-like experience. After taking their expensive lessons, there is high chance that you will fail the road test and you are made to take more lessons. The instructors are rude and make fun of your mistakes. They are also racist. While waiting for my lessons to begin, I heard them make fun of the accent of an asian student. I wasted lot of money for the expensive lessons and two road tests at PVDA. I was fool and regret. I just want to make others aware of my experience. It's upto you to make your decision. Good Luck! read more

My son took his driving test through this school. The instructor who sat in the back seat during the test and the RMV tester were both rude to my son during the test. They seemed to take pleasure in humiliating him and making him believe that he did badly on the road test. When he asked how to sign up for another road test the driving school personnel said, " she passed you, now get out of the car before she changes her mind." I think this business is horrible and that the owner and employees are abusive. There has got to be a better alternative in the valley. read more

As an RMV Examiner, this school puts out high quality, well-trained drivers who are prepared to be licensed. I put full trust in Mary Ellen and Len and their team to give me good drivers! Keep up the good work! read more

We've been impressed with all aspects of the school! The parent class was very informative, they worked with us around our schedule on the classroom sessions and the driving sessions and they have been very responsive!! I would recommend the school to anyone. The driving instructors gave great feedback and I feel confident that our son learned the skills to prepare him to hit the road on his own. read more

I failed here and I was pretty sure I was because of unfair road test examiner. I agree with previous reviews that test administrators lie about your driving performance when they fail you. I passed at the other location without taking any practice classes. It's a scam, would not recommend this driving school to anyone. read more

Great experience. I'm a "non-traditional" learner I suppose because I am 29 years old and a Graduate student, but it seems they cater to all types of people. I had Lisa. I can't speak on the other instructors, but she was amazing. She is a superb teacher (doesn't hurt that she has experience as an academic instructor) and knows the rules of the road to a t. She is very organized so she is always prepared to work on a new skill from our last lesson. She clearly has your success in mind. She's stern at times, which is needed since driving is a serious endeavor, but she also has a wonderful personality and has a great sense of humor! Classes were actually fun with her. I passed the exam on my first try because I was well prepared thanks to Lisa. There were no surprises during the Saturday exam with the school. Importantly, she helps you in such a way that you leave the school with not only a license, but a greater sense of confidence in driving and awareness of the incredible importance of driving safely. Thanks! read more

Although I passed my test through the driving school, I had a very unpleasant experience there. Not only were the instructors and other employees rude at times, there were a lot of racist and sexist remarks made toward me as I am an Asian woman. I felt very uncomfortable a lot of the time as I was made fun of at times and stereotyped. The head of the school seemed very entitled and harassed and made fun of the mistakes of young teenagers. This business is meant to capitalize on the lives of young people who do not know any other driving schools that are better at the expense of their parents bank accounts. I would never send my child to this school and I do not recommend it for any parent who wants to spare their child from racist, sexist and abusive remarks. read more