Ride On Driving School

I had a single 2-​hour lesson with Mark and he was great. He is very experienced and knowledgable about the driving test process. I’ve driven before (hold a UK license) but haven’t driven in a number of years and having moved to California, wanted to get my US license. Mark gave me a great refresher as well as pointing out all the things the examiner would be looking for on my driving test. He directed me around the test area of where I was planning to take my test (El Cerrito) which proved very helpful come test day. He gave me great feedback and a list of items that I should focus on to help on whilst practising, and gave me the honest opinion that I didn’t need to purchase any extra lessons. The lesson was cash only, and felt a bit on the high side, but with all the five-​star reviews, the fact he has experience with international drivers, and the fact I passed my test the following week, I’m not complaining. Thank you, Mark!

Mark is a wonderful instructor! I’m originally from Australia and was worried about driving on the other side of the road. I have very limited driving experience regardless, but needed to get my license quickly. Within two lessons I was ready for my test. I passed it on the first go, and I’m very happy to report that I’ve overcome my fear of driving in the US. Overall this was a great experience, he is extremely patient, and taught me how to be a defensive driver.

Mark is an excellent instructor. He is vary patient and meticulous. He really goes through everything you need to know to pass the behind-​the-​wheel test, and teaches you how to develop good defensive driving skill habits. I highly recommend taking one of his classes. It helped me pass my test.

I just had class with Mark last Saturday. He is such a great teacher! He made good use of every minute. He was so patient that he didn’t raise his voice whole time. At the end of the class (even though the class was over), he gave me a paper and told me the exam points. He is not greedy at all because he told me that I don’t really need another class, but it would be better if I take another one and it’s up to me. Anyway, choose him as instructor!

Mark was the best instructor I could wish for. He taught me acme defensive driving in various complex and challenging road situations. I feel like an expert driver after 3 practice sessions.

Mark is a very patient and knows everything about behind the wheel driving test! I had some driving experience outside the US but I didn’t know anything about driving in the country. It took me only 2 lessons with Mark to get information and skills I needed for the test and also practice my driving here. He’s also very pleasant person to talk to about anything including test/​driving concerns, etc.

Mark was my driving instructor. Extremely patient and helpful. And a happy overall attitude every time we had a driving lesson. And I passed the driving test on the first try. Very pleased!

Mark is a brilliant instructor and I loved his focus on helping you to be a safe driver.
I am from the UK originally where I had a licence, but after a long time of living in cities and travelling I had stopped driving and totally lost my confidence. I felt really scared and put off taking my test for nearly 2 years! After only 2 lessons Mark had reignited my confidence with his patience, honesty, sincerity and expert knowledge.
Mark was really thorough in his teaching and preparation, so on the day of the test I actually felt totally prepared and passed it first time! Thank you Mark, so glad to have met you.

Mark is a terrific instructor… very patient & informative. He helped our daughter pass her driving test on her 1^st try.

I am 58 years old and learning to drive for the 1^st time. After I failed my behind the wheel test the first time, my confidence level was shattered. I called Mark in a panic. He promptly returned the call and offered calm reassurance and morale boosting I couldn’t have gotten with a paid therapist. I supplanted the lessons I was taking with another instructor (who was tough but good) with Mark, who was, kind, patient and extremely helpful on my defects. He even taught me a technique that helped my turns enormously! The lesson before the test, we went through a test run, and he marked my errors, and quickly pointed out VERY helpful tips in getting my error score down. Low and behold I passed the test (with only 4 errors– you’re allowed 15). I highly recommend Mark as a skilled and kind instructor.

Mark (the instructor at this location) leaves nothing to be desired.
He’s professional, courteous, and really fun to be around. He always calls you ahead of time to send multiple reminders, and makes sure everything is in order. The lessons are very relaxed, and he covers topics at a perfect pace. He doesn’t try to cram too many things in one lesson, but he also doesn’t try to go so slowly that you end up blowing a ton of money taking more lessons with him.
His car (a Toyata Yaris) handles very smoothly, and is a great car to drive.
More than anything, I felt that Mark always had my best interests at heart. He would honestly advise you on how he felt you were doing, and what you needed to do in between lessons, and how many lessons he felt that you should take. Mark was constantly giving me tips on how to improve most efficiently and get through the driving test as smoothly as possible; I never felt that, at any point, he was trying to make me take more lessons with him than I needed.
Mark also took me to my driving test (which I passed on my first try, with near perfect marks). He was very helpful and walked me through the process, and gave me lots of tips and advice on how to handle it. He made the experience as enjoyable as anything DMV-​related can be expected to be.
There are driving schools and instructors out there that will offer cheaper rates than Mark. If you really want to be cheap, you might be satisfied with them; if you really want a solid, quality instructor, however, Mark is your man. I have absolutely no regrets in choosing him as my instructor. I started my first class with Mark sometime in the summer of 2012 and got my license about a month afterwards. Mark is truly a cool dude, and he made the entire experience very fun and easy.
⁵⁄₅ would send my kids, parents, or any friend to take classes with him.