Davis Academy Driving School

I had this school back in 2014, and it was terrible. Monica was a good instructor, but the other guy doesn’t know what he’s doing. Unfortunately, you can’t choose who you get. He talks too much and criticizes a lot. When he sense that you’re mad, he’ll quiet down a bit until you make another rookie mistake. Then it’s more criticism.
I rented a car from this place too because I had to take the test. Unfortunately, it was the same guy again. We got to do a prep run through downtown, but after failing the driving test, he started making fun of my driving again. Also pointed out that I was stupid to rent the car and take the test when I could’ve spent more money on his classes instead. Definitely kills your self-​esteem. Do not go here — ever!

This was the only driving school in Davis which I found. First of all, they rarely pick up the call even in working hours. Sometimes they do call back. Even after seeing all negative reviews about this school, I booked a class with them. But the instructor Monica was too good an instructor. She gave all the necessary information for clearing the exam. She made me feel comfortable driving on CA roads (I have been driving for long in India, just needed to get used to the driving rules of US). Till this time it was a good experience.
Next came the test date, I booked their car for the test. The instructor (an elderly fellow, don’t remember his name) came around half an hour before test time. The moment I started from my office, he started yelling on me. I know, I did a mistake, but it takes few minutes to get settled in a new car. That made me nervous and through out our way till DMV he kept shouting on some or the other thing which made me too nervous for the test. Even he discouraged me by saying, its better you don’t go for test and book it another time. I did a mistake, I should have cancelled my appointment as going with such nervous mind set never works well. Same happened, I didn’t passed that day.
Then I decided not to take the car from this school, in case they send the same guy, for sure he will again make me nervous and 135 is a big amount to invest with such risk. I got a rental car and went with my friend after few days, and cleared the test easily.
The 2 star is only for the instructor Monica, who was too good as an instructor. I hope she would have came on the test date, I might have cleared it on day 1.

I do not recommend this place at all, I regret wasting my money here and I wish I used a different driving school. Their office NEVER picks up their phone. I called them about 50 times through out the period of about 2 weeks and they answered 1 out of those 50 calls… The instructors are almost always late and their cars are extremely old. They don’t even deserve one star to be quite honest.

I took two driving class and borrow their car for test. WHENEVER I call the office, no one picks up the phone!!!
On my test day, I supposed to have my appointment at 9:15 so I could get practice for one hour and also use the car for test. I paid 155 for that. However, the coach came 50 minutes late which I only got 15 minutes to practice and get familiar with the car before the test. I called the office and left a message but they never called back.
Same thing happened when I was taking the driving class with this driving school. They r always 20 – 30 minutes late for my appointment time. I was calling the office but most time no one answer the phone!
But this seemed like the only driving school in Davis. I don’t know any other ones. But if someone knows any other schools, def go for it. I highly recommend you to avoid taking class here!!!

Apparently my previous reviews have either been removed or have expired. So, here’s a reminder … I’m a high school newspaper adviser, and this business advertised in my student newspaper, communicated with us about the design of the ad and then refused to pay. I was told in an email from the company that I should take them to collections over a $ 250 debt. … This operation is fraudulent and devoid of any moral or ethical code. … Potential customers, you’ve been warned. Avoid at all costs.

My little sister is all grown up now and I paid for 6 hours of instruction for this school as it is close to her. Huge mistake and I wished I had read these reviews earlier.
The instructor call us 30 minutes after the scheduled time to tell us that she couldn’t make it and needed to reschedule THREE weeks later.
Fast forward three weeks and an attitudinal instructor shows up literally griping the whole time at my sister about having to work late. I’m sorry you have two jobs.
We cancelled the remaining schedule hours and searched Google for Drivers Ed, I highly recommend you take one of the national chain driving schools, any one of them. They are a little more expensive, but the old saying you get what you pay for is true.
This place is horrid! AVOID.

I did not want to give any stars at all. DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY! This experience has been absolutely horrible! I signed my child up for the 6 hour course (3, 2 hour sessions). The first session was with an instructor that called me 15 minutes before she was to pick up my child and said she had no air conditioning in her car and wanted to postpone the appointment. The second appointment the instructor called 15 minutes before the appointment again and said she was in the bay area and could not make it on time. I called the office to complain and I was treated rudely and they sent a replacement instructor who was rude to my child as if this were all my child’s fault. I have called and left messages 3 days in a row during hours of operation to schedule the last appointment and I can’t get a hold of anyone and they are not calling me back. DO not waste your money on this driving school. They do not seem to care about doing their job or helping kids pass their test.

If I could make it a «0» stars, I WOULD!!! Drove all the way to Davis from fairfield to go to this company, because they were supposedly open on Saturdays… Turns out, they’re not! My daughter was scheduled to have her first drivers training on a Saturday, they did a no show, no call. They can’t even change their answering machine to indicate their «new» hours!
PLUS, I had to cancel the last drivers training class, I called MULTIPLE times to let them know this; they finally called back and wouldn’t give a refund!!! I would NEVER in my LIFE recommend this company to ANYONE!