I put off getting my license for 6 years and honestly never thought I'd achieve the milestone. For those with extreme driving anxiety--read my review! I renewed my permit three separate times but never felt prepared for the behind-the-wheel test. For me, the fears of driving outweighed my need to go anywhere. I also had traumatizing practice drives with well-meaning friends and relatives before Varsity, but that was enough for me to swear off ever getting a license. Thank you Stephanie P. for all your work! First off, Stephanie is an awesome human being. She's knowledgable, sweet and funny. She understands that students are practicing for familiarity and to build comfort. Varsity builds driving CONFIDENCE. For me, the difficulty of driving wasn't so much in the handling of the vehicle but more so my lack of confidence. I was okay practicing in parking lots and empty roads, but when it was time for me to hit the fast streets of Orange County, I somehow seemed to lose all semblance of safety. What worked for me: + Each lesson, Stephanie took me driving around different parts of OC. Previously, I had only driven around my small city with other instructors, but it's a more accurate assessment to drive in different areas. + She is flexible and receptive. I could always point out areas of weakness I wanted to work on and she'd tweak the lesson to practice. She is thorough with her work and doesn't take shortcuts for her own convenience. + She chatted with me intermittently. This might not work for everyone (especially introverts or teen drivers), but having a friendly instructor built my confidence because it took a lot of pressure off focusing solely on driving, which peaked anxiety levels. Again, this might not be for everyone, but chatting with my instructor allowed me to loosen up and not overthink the action of driving. + I was fortunate enough to schedule my last lesson the day before my behind-the-wheel test. If theirs/your schedule allows for this, I HIGHLY recommend doing this so you're prepared the day before. I didn't have any other supplemental practice outside of Varsity (though they do recommend you practice with a relative/friend in the car you will be driving). + Quick shout out also to Vanessa P. (the office manager). She really knew what I needed even before I did! When I first scheduled my lessons, I hinted at wanting a female instructor. Vanessa went above and beyond to book me with Stephanie for ALL FIVE of my lessons. This turned out to be what also helped me pass my test. Having the same instructor for every lesson was so beneficial in building comfort, confidence and assessment. It was cool to see my progress on lesson 1 versus lesson 5. Stephanie and Varsity helped to get my confidence level up. Because I felt in control of the vehicle, I was able to feel alert in my surroundings and could anticipate road conditions and actions of the cars around me. When it came time for me to take my behind-the-wheel test at the DMV, I felt totally in control with zero nervousness and passed on the first try. Thank you Stephanie and Varsity Driving Academy! You've helped me more than you could ever imagine. read more

If you're looking for a driver's ed class, then look no further. After just finishing the four day in-class program, I do not have a single doubt about their high quality way of teaching you to be a safe driver. VDA excels in helping you master the basics of operating a motor vehicle, and they do this by the sample assessments that you take in abundance, the videos they show you in class, and the very informative teacher that helps you throughout. The first taste I got of VDA was when I called to set myself up to join the in-class program. I spoke on the phone with Caitlin, who made my sign-up was really easy. She was very friendly on the phone, and I was surprised by how smooth the sign-up process went. This helped jump start my excitement to be at VDA. Katie was my teacher and will be my driving instructor when I pass the written test. Katie answered all the questions I had, at the highest degree of knowledge. She was very friendly and very approachable, and you are able to ask her any kind of question, no matter how stupid you may think the question is. Katie is, without a doubt, the greatest teacher you will find. And for Mark, the owner, was no stranger to the friendliness that engulfs you as you start to be involved with VDA. His demeanor was very impressive. You'd expect that the owner would tend to other more important duties, but Mark was there because he wanted to be, and that was very easy to sense. He would contribute a lot to the discussions we had in class and he was a very easy person to speak to. Mark had a great presence, and it was also great to hear what he had to say. He always had something useful to say, and just his general attitude was great. As a whole, VDA's environment was very friendly. Oftentimes, the driving instructors would pass through and they all added to the friendly environment. You could easily tell that the people were there because they wanted to be there. They are strategically located next to a shopping center, so you could eat out during lunch time. That's if they don't fill you up with the box of chocolates that they pass around. VDA is an elite driver's education establishment, and there is no place like it. To conclude, I do not usually make an effort to write a review for a place. However, I made an exception today. The reason I made that exception, is that VDA is exceptional. No, but seriously. VDA. read more

Walter has been a fantastic instructor. He's all business when necessary: punctual, answers questions clearly, has a calm demeanor, is ready to take the wheel or brake in half a second in case of emergency, as he is aware and with you every step of the way. At the same time he's easy to get along with and a fun guy to talk to. He was very responsive to questions, since he really cares about teaching you to drive in a safe and responsible manner, as it is his pleasure to turn out safe and responsible drivers onto the roads. Not only did I learn to drive, but I learned how to think behind the wheel, distancing myself from potentially hazardous situations before they might happen by anticipating them ahead of time. Anyone can drive a car, but the art is in driving with other people, and sharing the roads with them. To that end I found Varsity Driving Academy's online course a great supplement when I wanted to look up specific issues and rules. I used it to get my head thinking about the road when I was not behind the wheel, since I did not own a car nor was I able to borrow one to practice with. In addition to the online course, a great tip for students is to study CA DMVs "Top Ten Reasons for Failing the Drive Test" videos to get your mind thinking about road situations when you are not driving as well as to prep for the test. (I know, the vids are a bit corny, but great for test prep!) http://www.youtube.com/user/CaliforniaDMV#p/c/297E87DA9A1025B2/0/xkf_NfEwZls Walter picked me up, and drove me to the DMV for my road test, since I needed to use Varsity's car. Taking the test in the car I had been practicing in helped me immensely. Also, try and book your test when they open, that way you are not waiting around getting nervous in your head. About myself, I am an adult, from NYC (a lifetime of public transportation, since there was no reason to have a car there), and have never driven a car before moving here. I certainly had a lot to overcome, including these crazy California right on red rules you guys have out here! Anyway long story short(ened), I am now licensed! Thanks again Walter and Varsity! read more

The past 4 months of the start of 2021 have been a series of major blessings in disguise since I chose varsity driving! After five years of taking the bus and ubering everywhere, I was fortunate enough to get my permit back in February at the age of 21. From March to June I have had Daisy appointed as my instructor that witnessed my growth and knowledge becoming a driver. It was pretty difficult at first managing to turn at a proper speed at turning lanes and learning from steps 123 on parallel parking. Like any first driver I made a fair amount of errors however as I got Daisy for more appointments, she kindly suggested tips on preventing mistakes I wasn't aware of before, how to manage my anxiety behind the wheel and to be more confident. The week before my drivers test we did two mock tests and she was able to notice that I made a lot less fewer errors on the second chance, even reassured me that I am ready for the exam but just have to maintain confidence and limit overthinking. Surely enough a week later, I passed my drivers test on the first try only making 6/15 errors eventually getting my drivers license before turning 22! Accomplishments have no limits whatsoever so I give y'all the invitation to check out varsity driving academy to be consistent with being behind the wheel. I collectively thank the staff for all the help! 10/10 would recommend!!! read more

I passed my driving test at my first attempt on Thursday thanks to this amazing driving school! I had a great experience with Varsity from the booking to the driving test day. In particular, I would like to thank JOHN who is the best instructor I could have asked for considering my fear of driving, the fact that I am a foreigner and my inexperience with driving here in the US due to the fact that I do not have a car. JOHN has such a clear, easy and catchy way to explain things that you will never forget his voice and his teachings! Not only he is very professional and patient, but he always encourages you to do your best without being too nervous and he always finds a way to make you laugh and smile. JOHN really believes in his students and wants them all to thrive and be successful, for this reason he really goes through each and every part of the driving test in details, so you always know what to expect on that day and how the car works. I am really glad I chose Varsity among the other schools because I was taken care of in every step of the process by some really amazing instructors and people: Michael, John and George all went above and beyond in each step of the process to help me out and it really felt like family. Grateful. read more

I had an amazing experience during my final driving instruction course thanks to Ed! I am so thankful he was my teacher for my last appointment because he prepared me so well for the drivers license test. I was nervous going into the appointment but he was so gentle, kind, and reassuring that I felt at ease and was able to give it my all! He really got into what I needed to learn and taught me how to correct my mistakes with great determination. He is such a vigilant and kind teacher that I felt comfortable and able to perform and I feel like I did the best driving that I have ever before thanks to everything he taught me. I feel ready and prepared for my drivers license test and very confident that I will succeed! Thank for your patience and willingness Ed! I was so amazed by his demeanor and he really helped bring my stress levels all the way down- he really let me know that he is here to help me 110% and really helped me fix all my mistakes and rehearsed what I needed to know and correct! Ed also took great COVID-19 precautionary measures with a mask, the plastic divider between us, and sanitizing wipes that were used to clean the car! My session was perfect and comfortable, thank you so much. read more

I recently completed 8 sessions with Silvia Chapella, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the experience. As an international person who had never driven before, I was quite nervous about learning to drive. Silvia's patience and encouragement made a significant difference in my confidence and skills. Her constant encouragement and positive attitude helped me stay motivated and focused on improving. Silvia's teaching style is comprehensive and effective. She covered essential skills like speed management, vehicle handling, and defensive driving, ensuring I understood how to stay safe on the road. What I appreciated most was her thorough preparation for the behind-the-wheel test. She went over the test requirements multiple times, which made me feel well-prepared and confident on test day. The Varsity Driving Academy also provides well-equipped vehicles, and the instructors offer convenient pick-up and drop-off services for each session, making the entire learning experience hassle-free and accessible. I highly recommend Varsity Driving Academy and Silvia Chapella to anyone looking for a great school and a patient, knowledgeable, and supportive instructor. read more

I am so pleased with my experience with this driving school. Bernadette spent nearly 40 mins on the phone with me walking me through my concerns and reassured me that I do not have to worry. She even pointed me to the DMV website where it clearly states what they are licensed to do, and also lists that they have had no complaints filed since 2008. We signed up for their best value package which was a great deal because the online driver's education was free when we purchased the 6 hour behind the wheel. My daughter completed the online portion with ease and passed her written test the first time. Bernadette was right, I had nothing to worry about. She was picked up and dropped off on time from my home each lesson. Richard was her instructor, he is a retired teacher and can relate to teens very well. My daughter is a pretty good driver after the 3 lessons. She still has some time to go before she can get her license so I signed her up for a few extra behind the wheel sessions this summer. I am pleased with their level of service and accommodation. There is a reason why my daughter came home saying all her classmates use this driving school. read more

I recently had the pleasure of learning to drive with Ben, and I can't recommend him highly enough as a driving instructor. From the very first lesson, Ben made me feel completely at ease with his calm demeanor and supportive approach. He has a unique ability to make you feel comfortable behind the wheel, which was crucial for me as I was initially quite nervous. Ben's teaching style is exceptional. He explains everything clearly and patiently, ensuring that I understood the proper techniques and rules of the road. His constructive feedback and positive reinforcement boosted my confidence significantly, making my 1st driving lesson a productive and enjoyable experience. I never felt rushed or pressured; instead, Ben tailored the lessons to my pace and comfort level, which I really appreciated. Thanks to Ben, I now feel confident and well-prepared to practice driving. His dedication to his students' success is evident in every lesson. If you're looking for a driving instructor who is not only skilled but also genuinely cares about your progress, look no further than Ben. He's the best! read more

Walter was nothing less than an amazing driver instructor. He really keeps you comfortable and helps build your confidence as a baby driver which is really important to have when starting to drive. He's also professional about his job and takes it very seriously making sure you know the rules of the road and how to be an efficient and safe driver. My skills as a driver were gradually developed with Walter's guidance starting from learning how to navigate the road and correctly steer to learning the best way to park to even learning how to merge onto the freeway which by some is considered to be the scariest part of driving. In the last appointment he did everything in his power to make sure I'm ready for the driving test which included the pretest and even a mini practice test. I felt really comfortable with Walter as a driving instructor and i STRONGLY recommend asking for him for those of you who will be signing up for your first behind the wheel. He knows what he's doing and he does it well. GO WALTER!!! WOO! read more

I wanted to take a moment to share our wonderful experience with Erin Chell. She is an incredibly warm and caring individual who made my daughter's first driving lesson truly exceptional. Erin's patience and kindness instantly put my daughter at ease, turning what could have been a nerve-wracking experience into a confident and positive one. Erin went above and beyond in her teaching thoroughly explaining every aspect of driving, including what to expect on the DMV test. Her clear and thoughtful instructions made it easy for my daughter to understand and feel prepared. Because of Erin's dedication and amazing teaching skills, we knew right away that we wanted to continue requesting her for future lessons. We truly couldn't have asked for a better driving instructor. Erin's commitment to her students' success is truly inspiring, and I believe she deserves recognition for her outstanding work whether that be a raise, an employee award, or both. We are incredibly grateful to have had her as part of this journey read more

On April 9, it was my first day on the road with my instuctor, John. I was absolutely terrified about driving and brought my dad along with me. When we first got started I was a little tense and worried about other cars and pedestrians. My dad was also a little scared sitting in the back with us. After about five minutes, driving suddenly became much easier than I expected! John was very patient and taught me all the basics that I needed to know in less than in hour. his technique clicked with me immediately and I felt completely safe with him. Pretty soon I was driving at night and changing lanes and everthing! My dad could hardly belive it! He was so surprised and pleased with John's excellent teaching methods. I really appreciated John's friendly attitude and his way of keeping the mood happy. I was also appreciative of how John knew what my worries were. He calmed me down and worked patiently to ensure that I understood the basic steps to driving safely. It was an awesome lesson! Thanks John! read more

The entire staff of Varsity Driving Academy was incredible. I had a terrible experience with another school, Drivers Education, and was forced to hire another company to get my son his certificate. Varsity Driving Academy gave us three appointments within a week so that my son would not miss his DMV appointment. My son passed his drivers test and was given an "excellent" rating from the DMV personnel. My son credits Varsity with passing the test. They drove him through the actual route and showed him what to expect. He took his test with confidence with the instruction he received. As a parent I was treated with kindness and professionalism, the instructors came to my door and introduced themselves. Someone answered the phone every time I called AND when I called with my problem, they called the DMV on my behalf to sort out how many hours my son would have to take to receive his certificate!! Thank you VARSITY Driving Academy! You were referred by a friend and you lived up to the promise. read more

Varsity driving Academy is made of a group of professionals that are very good at what they do. My son had his first 2 hours driving practice scheduled for yesterday. We met Ed at around 1:55 for our 2:00 o'clock appointment. He was extremely kind and explained the procedures to us in detail. I could see that my son bonded with him right away and that made me feel comfortable. When they came back at 4:00, my son started telling his brother and I how much he enjoyed what he went through and how much he learned in 2 hours (IN FRONT OF ED). All of us that have teenagers, specially boys know they are not great talkers so he complementing Ed while he was standing there shocked me. I used a different driving school for my two older boys but I decided to use Varsity for the last one. The experience has been fantastic and I definitely recommend them. Ed, in case you read this review, I like to thank you for the great job you did. read more

Anyone, young or old in OC who needs driving lessons should approach Varsity Driving Academy !! Being a foreigner driving on the other side of the road, I was very nervous when driving in US so my hubby decided that I should take lessons. After reading all the good reviews about this school especially about Walter, the very patient & encouraging instructor, I decided to enroll in Varsity Driving Academy. Andy who processed my application, was also very efficient and helpful. All the reviews were very true - WALTER is the most patient and helpful driving instructor you can possibly encounter. He is very professional; very punctual; he taught all the proper driving & safey procedures. After 3 lessons with him, I am now a confident driver with an official CA driving licence as I just passed my DMV driving test this morning on my first attempt !!! Great school, great instructor and great staff !!! read more

Today I passed my DV ! I'm an adult and I've been pushing this moment for quite a while. I can finally drive ! I want to THANK and BLESS all the instructors who helped me. KHOA who was very friendly and did an amazing job teaching me everything from zero !! SEAN : I couldn't have passed this test without him, he went through allll the rules & things I needed to know and was always kind and easygoing. ANTHONY : He was sooo patient making me practice backing along the curb & parking until I got it, he was also very encouraging and had a positive attitude. ED & HONG : I just had one class with them and they were great, super focused & professional. JACK gave me great advise, he said I was ready to pass the test and he was right ! And last but no least, GEORGE, who took me to the DMV, he was so nice, calm and supportive that made everything easier ! God bless you all ! read more

My son finished three Driving Lessons. The office staff was very friendly, professional, and answered all my questions. They were so easy to work with. The Driving instructors (Don, Jeff, and Paul) were absolutely awesome. I discussed with my son how the driving went and it was always very positive. My interactions with the instructors before and especially after the driving was great. They were very friendly and professional. They explained what the plan was before they started and after the driving the explained what my son did well, where he improved during the driving, and what he needs to keep working on. This is valuable information that help me continue to work with him. Don, Jeff, and Paul are definitely very experienced but also very down to earth and friendly. I recommend Varsity Driving Academy to anyone looking for a good driving school. read more