I purchased 5 90-minute lessons over the weekend. Upon logging into the scheduling system, however, it became apparent that the school has almost no availability whatsoever - they had only 4 days with drives available in the next 40+ days.
Mind you, my schedule is quite flexible, but it's impossible to schedule lessons if they have no availability, and yet they continue to sell lessons over their website - i.e. even if I could make it in all 4 days, the earliest I would be able to finish my lessons would be in the second half of September.
What was even more outrageous is that when I requested a refund, they stated that I have to pay a $15 fee, even though the school is clearly at fault here (selling packages even though they don't have any availability to speak off). And of course I had no choice but to agree to it.
Overall, very unprofessional and disappointing, esp. given how accommodating some of the other schools in the area I had experience with can be.
They were super nice and patient with me. I originally signed up for automatic driving classes, changed my mind to do stick shift, and then went back to automatic. I wasn’t charged extra for all these changes and they were really understanding.
The instructors, Anna and Stan are super nice too and made a nervous wreck like me feel at ease.
If you will be have someone to practice driving with, I recommend the 5 90 min lessons.
They are a good price and were enough to go over everything I needed to learn to drive.
I also took the test with them and it was super easy!
I already had a driving license from abroad when I moved to Redmond and needed to get Washington license. I took one hour lesson and both knowledge and practice tests in Defensive Driving School. Anna is very patient instructor who welcomes any kind of questions concerning driving and traffic rules and answers them clearly. She gave me some useful remarks that helped me to pass my test from the first try.
Having had license tests in two other countries except for the US, I want to emphasize particularly positive, encouraging and calm atmosphere during the practice test.
My experience with the place was pretty seamless. I was done with my lesson and test within an hour and a half. Anna was my instructor during the lesson as well as the scorer for the test. During the lesson, I asked Anna to help me practice parallel parking and backing into the driveway and she gave me few simple thumb rules. She also explained the scoring scheme well. She was patient and positive during the driving lesson. I Would highly recommend her to all.
Overall - I'm happy I chose this school, my experience is quite positive and I recommend this school.
I already had a driver experience and license, issued by another country, so I just needed to pass tests to get WA license.
Although I'm quite experienced driver, I decided to take one lesson to understand what to expect from the test. Anna is awesome instructor, we tried all maneuvers, she gave some very useful advice and explained what to expect on the test. She didn't try to sell me more lessons and I passed the test from the first try. So I'm very happy with the school
Anna is extremely patient, calm and brings in positive energy during the driving lessons. She has a passion for teaching and I am glad I decided to bring my daughter here . I Would highly recommend her to all.
The classes teach knowledge that some or most drivers forgot about or never knew about driving. Teens are learning specific information and techniques on driving so when they become experienced drivers they can be safe role models for others on the road.
We have a good driving instructor. Learning a lot. Instructor is a little politically incorrect, but they try. Made class entertaining. Would recommend.
Defensive driving is amazing to learn how to safely drive around. There were so many situations introduced that I never would have thought of. Anna is so sweet and makes the class fun!
Heaton was an absolute delight to have in the car with me when I renewed my driving license. It has been two years since I had driven in the US, but she was patient, kind, and calm as she directed me during the driving test. I was never stressed or anxious with her. Her feedback at the end of the test was detailed, constructive, and helpful.
Overall, I would highly recommend taking your test through Defensive Driving School in Bellevue. It was easy to make an appointment with them, all communication was clear, the emails were helpful, and on the day of the test the staff were incredibly friendly, which calms any nerves.
Thanks for your help!
I had a lot of fun at this school; even if it was during the summer. We played game and watched a lot of videos that made us gasp. 😁Thank you Anna for allowing me to have fun and make friends at Defensive Driving School.
Anna is a great instructor who makes the class very fun while still teaching all the information well. She’s very nice and always plays informative games with the class. We tried doing quizzing in pairs and it worked really well. Great teacher (deserves a raise)
Anna is a fantastic teacher. She is very patient, relaxed and friendly, which made the driving lesson an exiting and enjoyable experience as opposed to stressful for a new driver. I would definitely recommend Defensive driving school for anybody learning to drive for the first time or trying to improve theirs skill.
I had a great experience learning from all of my instructors, and the office gave great support when there was an issue that needed to be fixed. I would highly recommend going to DDS.
I have tried 4 schools and a few instructors in the area and Marc Eilers who works out of DDS Kirkland is the best out of the lot. He is patient, kind and very thorough with his teaching style. If you are looking to get your license, go to Marc!
Each and every teacher I had during my web-based instruction made sure to be thorough and clear on what I needed to know! This class was definitely worth the $500 🙂
Marty at West Seattle location was wonderful and delightful and friendly and non intimidating. My daughter relaxed and he made it easy to learn and removed her anxiety.
The instructors were very nice! Even though the classes were boring at times, they made them way more fun and enjoyable! I would definitely recommend this to my friends!
I completed the online course during April to May, I had vallare and Kyle both exceptional people and exceptional teachers! Both so sweet! I recommend defensive driving school! It had too would do it again there. 10/10!
My son took the web-based DDS learner class during the covid shutdown. It was the first webinar version of the course, and they were really well organized. He found it very informative and really liked instructor Kyle. The condensed format was terrific. Looking forward to in-person drives when everything opens up again.
I did half of my class in a classroom and half online due to covid 19. The online classes were just as good as the in person ones. Everything they teach has a purpose and is very helpful in knowing what to do on the road. All of the instructor are very nice and experienced. I would highly recommend this driving school for anyone learning to drive.
My husband and I took driving lessons from the kirkland branch. Marc taught both of us. He is a very good instructor who was patient with us and gave a very detailed feedback after each class. I would highly recommend Marc to anyone who is learning to get behind the wheels in a safe way.
Issaquah location was outstanding!! Isaac was an outstanding instructor who has the gift in teaching a dry subject and making it memorable for the kids. Highly recommended!
I’ve had four children take classes through DDS. The instructor makes classes enjoyable and is great with the on the road instruction. Highly recommend them!
Mr. Brett is the best instructor here. He is quite fun, but I have also learned a lot from his instructory manner. I now feel much more confident behind the wheel after taking this class. Thank you for this experience.
Wonderful place to learn Driving! Marc Eilers was the instructor. He was great instructor and helped me a lot on improving my Driving Skills. Highly recommend this place to anyone who's looking to learn how to drive.
Wonderful place! Marc Eilers was the instructor i had and although i stalled the vehicle a number of times he never made me feel pressured. Such a good guy. Highly recommend this place to anyone who's looking to learn how to drive a stick (or learn to drive in general).
Great experience with DDS in Poulsbo! Very thorough teaching and learning and I felt that my child was very equipped with the knowledge he will need to be a safe and conscientious driver. 🙂
I took 10 lessons at the Kirkland/Bellevue (Yarrow Point) location, and did most of them with Marc. He was very patient, and explained things well. The commentary driving helped a lot. I passed my driving test first time round, and couldn't have done it without these valuable lessons. Definitely recommend!
Kyle, who instructs the stick shift course, is great! Kyle was patient and had great techniques to help learn driving with a clutch. My son was able to drive the manual car within the 90 minute instruction time. Thank you, Kyle!
My husband and I were pleased with the instruction our son received at Silverdale DDS. We appreciated being able to each do an observation ride along which allowed us to hear the feedback given to our son and follow-up outside of the class. Mitch is great and has a very engaging teaching style.
DDS of Factoria was an exceptionally positive experience! Highly recommend this location as Jim Freaney was a great classroom instructor and also very calm and helpful during the instructional drives, teaching proper maneuvers and rules of the road. Michelle and Kristal in customer service were also very helpful and quick to respond to questions and rescheduling needs. So appreciate the dedication of this team to provide proficiency to these new drivers on the road.
The school did what they were supposed to do. I went along for a ride with my child's classroom instructor and he was kind, instructed well, and explained differences from what we learned to what they were teaching the teens today. My son said classes were boring, but every school is boring to the teens that we know. What I like is that he actually learned a lot and became more comfortable behind the wheel of the car. The rest is up to me.
We never had a single issue with DDS. They were superb! Customer support from the Kirkland office was really good. Asked them lots of questions during the 6 weeks. Really helped us understand the process at DOL as well as what the driving school provides.
All the instructors in the University District were very good. I rode two times during my grand daughter’s training. Impressed and learned some ways to to help in between scheduled drives.
I have no hesitation with my 5 star rating.
I had a great experience taking a stick shift lesson with Kyle. Never driving stick before, Kyle was able to cover the basics and get me moving quicker than I expected. He was motivated to make sure I got the most out of my lesson, getting me out of the parking lot when I felt ready, and asking about any specific things I wanted to learn when on the road. Kyle is professional, knowledgeable, and supportive.
(Renton location) Elizabeth is a great teacher and is very nice and down to earth person, I’m learning a lot in her class! Would rate her 5/5 stars as a driver ed teacher and person!! She’s really good on drives and teaching the ways of the road! Gayan, I have done 3 drives with him and every time he has been on the phone talking with other people, and even made me wait 15 min so he could finish a call! Wouldn’t recommend him.
Jimmy (the instructor in Lynnwood) has a calm disposition and when I went on a drive along with him I was amazed at his abilities. He keeps the dialogue comfortable in the car putting the student at ease, but not distracting. He was fully engaged in the instruction and was careful not to criticize. I liked how he repeated phrases of instruction ingraining them in the student's mind for future driving. These words quickly became habits that insure good driving. Even with more nerve wracking drives where my daughter was nervous before hand (the freeway drive) she returned home confident and encouraged feeling capable because that is what he instilled in her in the process. Jimmy is a true asset to the experience. He is exceptional! We will be back with our third child.
The classes were interesting and taught very well. The staff were very polite and easy to work with. Fey took me on my drives and did a good job of making me feel comfortable while also helping me be aware of my surroundings using commentary driving. Carol was my teacher and she did a great job teaching the class.
Issac is super helpful in getting me comfortable on the wheel! Really informative and nice instructor. He not only teaches me how to pass the test but also always reminds me how to safely drive on the road. Highly recommended!
I can't praise Isaac highly enough for dedication to his students, professionalism, good communication and focus on safety. I also appreciate the extra effort Isaac takes to keep his classroom and cars clean and sanitized during COVID-19 pandemic.
After a few lessons with Isaac my teenage son became more confident and observant on the road. I highly recommend Defensive Driving School Issaquah location.
I picked this driving school based on the reviews and I am so glad I did. I had an amazing experience learning how to drive. Mr Kim was my teacher, he is thoughtful, patient and kind. Not judgemental at all! I was worried and nervous to go to driving school, I am not a teenager and had a fear of highways. Honestly I wasn't sure I could ever drive. But all the work, encouragement and support I got from Mr Kim and the school (including scheduling folks that worked with me and accommodated my request) was so amazing. Now I am with a driver license, able to take my dog to park and vet on my own, and I can not be happier! Thank you Mr Kim for teaching me ☺️ I am very lucky to had you as my teacher.
Mr Kim is amazing! Instead of being boring I looked forward to going to drivers ed every day. Very forgiving and understanding for lessons, would highly recommend!
I took a one hour class with the skills test combination with Mr. Isaac. It was a great experience. I was very nervous for the class, however Mr. Isaac was very patient and gave me many tips on how to crack the actual test. He made it a fun experience and also gave good feedback for the new/student driver to overcome our fear and drive better. I would definitely recommend defensive driving school and Mr. Isaac. Thank you.
I trained with Issac Kim at Defensive Driving School, Issaquah. It has been a tremendous experience for me. Issac is patient, thorough, keeps his calm at all times and makes it a fun learning experience. Issac provides objective feedback to help improve overall driving and at the same time helps the student overcome any driving related fear. I would highly recommend the school and Issac Kim. Thank you:)!
Isaac is a wonderful instructor! I didn’t think I would be able to conquer the fear of driving but he helped me overcome my fear and encouraged me. He is also very patient and calm. He gives clear instructions. He is an excellent instructor!
I had an amazing experience driving with them. They taught me all the skills I needed to pass the test and even taking the test with them was a pleasure.
Highly recommend
Thank you Mr. Kim for being such a knowledgeable instructor. You made me a more confident driver. you are the best. This driving school is great. Again, thank you! Best of luck to you and the school. Awesome learning with you!
I took driving lessons and the skills test here with Isaac Kim. Before my first lesson, I thought I would always be anxious and could never be a confident driver. After taking lessons with Mr. Kim, I have become completely comfortable behind the wheel. Mr. Kim is incredibly patient and keeps the atmosphere light and positive. No matter how many mistakes you make, he stays cool and shows you how to correct them. Not only does he show you basic skills to pass the test, but he also shows you practical skills to help you in everyday driving. If I had come here years ago when I was first learning to drive, driving would never have been an issue. Isaac Kim is the best instructor anyone can hope to have. If you are looking for a driving school, stop looking and come here.
Issac was a wonderful instructor and taught the class very well. He kept the content interesting and accurate. He is a wonderful driving instructor and is always very professional. I highly recommend Defensive Driving School and give a huge thanks to Issac for the experience.
This was our second experience with Defensive Driving School. Our first daughter also took her driver’s ed class with DDS. We had great experience this time with DDS at Issaquah. Isaac Kim was a great instructor to our second daughter - always helpful and humorous. My daughter enjoyed his and Doug’s lessons very much. Not surprisingly, she passed the written and skill tests without any problem.
Thanks DDS.
Isaac Kim: This review is for my driving instructor Isaac Kim. He is the most patient instructor who not only teaches you how to drive safely with all the rules and regulations but also to how to drive elegantly and effortlessly. He is simply the best. I have tried learnig driving multiple times but never had the confidence. With him i have felt confident for the first time. A big thanks to him.
Very enjoyable experience, instructor Isaac Kim was extremely helpful in the classroom and especially on the drives. He always tries to make the class more exciting with jokes that may or may not be funny. I am more confident in my abilities now and feel like I have learned a lot.
My teacher was Isaac Kim and he really made this class amazing. It was fun, and we also learned what we needed to at the same time. He's an awesome teacher, and I'm happy he helped me through this! 🙂
Took my driving skills test here today and passed on my first try! Mr.Kim was an amazing examiner and goes above and beyond by giving you a pep talk before the pre test! He gives clear directions and instructions during the test, and before you know it, you’ll be done!
We are happy to report that we have had an excellent experience from beginning to end with Defensive Driving School of Issaquah. This is our second child to work on the milestone of driving. We knew better this time to start our experience with a high quality program that would support us through the entire experience, even if our teen driver needed extra help. In this case, we did not end up needing the extra help, but every student is different. In our experience, not every local driving school is prepared to help students who do need extra support. This added support is not free, but it is worth every penny. During our recent experience, Mr. Kim provided engaging instruction, both in class and behind the wheel. Our young driver would come home with funny stories from class, indicating that Mr. Kim used language and instruction techniques that were memorable and related especially well to teens. As a parent, I was invited to sit in the back seat for every driving lesson. This allowed me to learn the lingo that the instructors use with the students, so I was better prepared to be a good teacher to my young driver during all of our practice drives. Mr. Kim is an outstanding instructor for both the teens and their parents. As far as supporting a child through milestones, I would rather go back to diapers than have to sit in the passenger seat during driving practice! The good news is that Defensive Driving School and their instructors help make the experience as pleasant as it can be. Highly recommend!
I took both the teen course and the driver's license test here. Mr. Kim was a great instructor throughout the course and throughout the exam, and always maintained a positive attitude. I was very comfortable during my drives with the school and learned many useful techniques that I will take with me on the roads; I am confident that I can drive safely on the roads thanks to this course.
My driving instructor Mr. Kim was one of the best teachers I’ve ever had. Extremely patient and understanding he really focused on making sure i understood everything, and taught me very well.
Defensive driving school really helped me learn all the rules of the road. Mr. Kim is super nice, funny, and makes learning fun. I was scared at first to take the class and drive but he made it very fun and easy. The whole month passed by in a flash. But now I am confident in driving then I was before. I highly recommend taking the class for this will help you in learning how to drive.
Mr. Kim was the best instructor! His class was engaging, interesting, and really fun to be a part of. He made every day an easily comprehensible experience and he made the drives less stressful due to his enjoyable demeanor. I highly recommend Defensive Driving School!
could not have had a better experience here! The classes (taught by Mr. Kim) were very informative, and yet entertaining! would HIGHLY recommend this place, and my teacher Isaac Kim!
Mr. Kim is patient and clear in his instruction. He communicates well with students and parents about skills to practice and next steps to take. The entire experience from driver's education through testing for license was positive. I highly recommend Defensive Driving School.
Mr. Issac Kim is an amazing instructor. He encouraged me through my thick and thin and pushed me to perfection. His caring attitude made things a lot easier, exactly what anyone would need in a new learning experience. I am glad I was a part of DDS. 👍👍👍
I had a great experience with Sir Kim Issac. He is a great instructor. I was very tensed and hesitant to drive on road. Sir Kim Issac taught me proper ways to drive and boosted my confidence too. Thank you sir for all your help.
Mr. Kim was an amazing teacher and he really helped me (and my parents) get over my fears about driving. The classes were enjoyable and I learned a lot from drives in particular. Highly recommended!
Isaac was a wonderful teacher- very kind, patient, and well-educated. Very funny and never was there a dull class. I really enjoyed taking drivers ed from him!
I have always been fearful of driving, especially merging onto the highways. I took lessons at Defensive Driving with Mr. Issac Kim. He was very patient with me and gave me time to learn and improve on my mistakes. He is an amazing teacher and helped overcome my fear of driving and made sure I was comfortable enough to get onto the highway. He gave me enough practice with the mock tests that I knew what I would be tested for during the driving test. I am grateful that I found Defensive Driving and Issac helped me learn. If possible would give them more stars. Can't recommend Issac enough!! 🙂
Next Reviews
Alexander Dadashev17:47 03 Aug 20I purchased 5 90-minute lessons over the weekend. Upon logging into the scheduling system, however, it became apparent that the school has almost no availability whatsoever - they had only 4 days with drives available in the next 40+ days. Mind you, my schedule is quite flexible, but it's impossible to schedule lessons if they have no availability, and yet they continue to sell lessons over their website - i.e. even if I could make it in all 4 days, the earliest I would be able to finish my lessons would be in the second half of September. What was even more outrageous is that when I requested a refund, they stated that I have to pay a $15 fee, even though the school is clearly at fault here (selling packages even though they don't have any availability to speak off). And of course I had no choice but to agree to it. Overall, very unprofessional and disappointing, esp. given how accommodating some of the other schools in the area I had experience with can be.
