Academy Driving School

I would give –100 negative stars to this school if I can. If you don’t mind instructors coming consistently late all the time, dealing with broken ass vehicles and constantly hearing BS excuses from the receptionist and driving instructors then your at the right establishment then. Incompetency would be the word to describe this school. Their prices are appealing compared to other driving schools out there but you get what you pay for. I would suggest anyone thinking of investing their time, money and energy into this school should run very very far away. I promise you will be disappointed some way or another by this school. From the owner to the receptionist to the instructors. They never take accountability for their mistakes and actions. Beware at all cost

This school is a joke!
I had my entire 10 lessons on a white Toyota and the morning of the test, They switched it to a completely different car borrowed from another school.
I was being driven to my road test by a different instructor from different school in a different car that I had never driven before!
I didn’t get any time to adjust to the new vehicle, feel the power, the gears, but simply sit and drive in it through my road test. Hence, I failed!
And the receptionist btw, had threatened to cancel my road test if I wouldn’t pay the fee a day before the 5hour class.
Long story short, avoid it at all costs.

After my great experience a few years ago, I recommended this school to my husband. Boy has the business changed. Upon paying for the package, the lady didn’t want to schedule out his driving lessons. She said to wait until the 5 hour class was taken. He called 10 times for a 5 hour class, and went three times. The 4^th time he was able to get into a class. Fine, no problem; just that the instructor decided he wanted to start 2 hours earlier than scheduled. No phone call was ever given. Thankfully my husband had passed by to double check on the class status. He goes early and then ends up waiting an hour before it even starts. He calls the next day to schedule his lessons for his test which is in a week. The lady say ‘oops, sorry, but we don’t have any lessons available. We are all booked.” All I keep thinking is why wasn’t the lessons schedule during the first lesson he took or after the 3^rd time he requested them?
Now he is taking a test he paid for with one lesson because his permit is going to expire in a month.
Nice job on helping a driver succeed!

Unprofessional.
I called and signed up for the 5hr class a week before the class. When I arrived, the receptionist who seemed to be covering someone else told me «I think it’s cancelled but the person who knows will be here soon.» The class was supposed to begin at 5PM. I arrived at 4:50 and was sitting there until 5:25PM.
When the woman arrived, the receptionist told her there were people waiting for the 5hr class. The woman nonchalantly said «the 5hr class is cancelled.» She proceeded to take a cake out of her bag like we weren’t waiting around 25 minutes for her. Honestly, the minute she walked in I knew this had been a waste of time. Maybe it would help to wear business casual clothing to work instead of your weekend going-​out shorts so people can take this place more serious.
Luckily, I hadn’t paid for the class yet, but if you’re going to cancel a class, how about calling up the people registered so they don’t make the unnecessary trip? Common sense. Why did the receptionist ask for my number when I registered for the class if she wasn’t going to make use of it?
The man sitting next to me (also waiting for the class) told me he had gone through the same thing the previous week. He showed up and the class was cancelled. Props to him for coming back.
The woman directed me to a driving school nearby and suggested I check if they were offering the 5hr class. I went to Academy Driving School with the intention of purchasing a package. No thank you. If you can’t get your shit together for a 5hr class, I can’t even imagine what your driving lessons are like.
What a joke.

Negative stars!!! The driver was over an hour late to my final driving lesson which was schedule an hour before my road test and therefore, I could not take my final lesson. Then the kicker is I take my road test as scheduled and passed so I asked for a refund for the last lesson which I was unfortunately not able to take because of the late instructor and I am told no and the owner wouldn’t even come out to explain his rationale for not providing me with a refund even though it was their FAULT why I didn’t receive the service I paid for. This is the biggest fraud and most unprofessional company please AVOID AT ALL COSTS. They will be consistently late and won’t compensate you for their irresponsibility.

Good and nice instructors.

I never drove a car before so I got 10 lesson at the school and I felt so prepared to take the Test. I Passed the Driver Test after my first try.

Academy driving school is like most drivers ed. Schools in New York if anything it’s a tad bit better.
I decided when I first got classes that it would be better to just buy 3 classes for $ 99 which in my opinion is kinda pricey but you’re not likely to find any classes much cheeper in New York City. None the less out of those 3 classes I only got to go to one.
My major pet peeve about this place is that if you don’t call and let them know a day ahead, you can’t reschedule your class.
With that being said, my first class was really nice, the instructor was a male who’s name I can’t remember but I think it started with the letter D, he was very patient and had me driving on my very first lesson. I wish that I could have had gone to all three classes but on the second day I couldn’t make it to my class for reasons that were completely out of my control, when I called the office they basically told me there was nothing I could do and the I had lost my class. Needless to say I was really annoyed.
All in all I’ll probably go back just because it’s location is really convenient. If you’re not willing to fork out any more cash or travel to another driving school than this one is fine.

My experience was horrible. I picked this school because it was the cheapest in the area. My first lesson was with a very welcoming man. I don’t remember his name to be honest but he was such an EXCELLENT teacher that I learned so much in just my first class. I found out later he quit. After that I took lessons with John, the owner. I have absolutely nothing personal against the man, he’s nice. However, he is ALWAYS on his phone.
I hated going to the classes because I felt they were such a waste of money. The receptionist Stephanie was so welcoming and informative (she was a previous employee just filling in for someone so sadly she wasn’t there for long)
The main receptionist has a MAJOR attitude but at the same time wasn’t confident while speaking if that makes sense. I felt she didn’t know much because every time I asked her a question she either didn’t feel like answering it or didn’t know much about the topic. She always called to cancel or reschedule lessons last minute. She would call me about 2hours before (their policy is 24 hours but they don’t follow it)
When I cancelled the contract they charged me 5 dollars extra for my 5 hour class why? I don’t know and they only gave me 50 dollars back out of the 500 and something for just the 5 lessons and the 5 hour class. (I know there’s a fee to cancel the contract but if I stayed I would’ve felt like those 50 dollars was going to waste.)
I cannot speak for all the other instructers, my only experience was with John and his snobby receptionist.
After this whole thing happened I learned my cousin had a similar experience and he failed his first test because John neglected teaching him and he hated the school as well, I wish I would’ve talked to him sooner !

I gotta say at first I was a little nervous taking my classes for my CDL. John is a great instructor. Was to the point and taught me all things necessary to pass the road test. Great staff and really friendly overall. I would recommend them to anyone

LOVE THEM!!!
I’ve lived in NYC all my life and I never wanted a license. «For what?!» I’d always reply when people asked me why I didn’t drive.
Well now, I’ve started traveling and I needed my license so I can get around instead of being bothersome or just spending an arm and a leg on taxi’s.
This is where Academy Driving School came in. I picked them because they where conveniently close to the train and my house. The times they have for the 5 hr class are set so you know EXACTLY when to go. Everyone has a pleasant way about them, from the Front Desk girls to The Driving Instructors.
Throughout my Lessons I had Karen, Whom I absolutely LOVE. She makes you feel calm and comfortable along with knowing her stuff! I passed my test after 5 Lessons.
Thank you All So much!

I’ve been putting off getting a driver’s license for the last two years. I finally went to the academy and signed up for the package that includes 10 lessons and a road test. Gina the receptionist was kind and professional. She always called the day before to confirm my appointments.
I’ve met two different instructors in the beginning and I felt uneasy driving the car. On the 4^th lesson I met Karen. After the lesson with Karen, I called the academy and asked for her to be my instructor for the remaining lessons. She was able to make me feel comfortable while driving and by the last lesson I felt confident that I was going to pass the road test. I passed on my first try and overall the Academy Driving School experience is as good as it gets!
P. S. The taco truck next to the station was awesome…
and Karen really cares about her students and wants them to pass!

Got a package with Academy Driving School for 5 lessons, the NYS mandatory 5hr class, and a road test. Generally very satisfied with the experience. These guys really want you to get your license, and they work hard to make it happen. Would recommend to a friend.

The best driving school in the RidgewoodBushwick area. I was completely new to driving and took the 10 lessons package which also includes the car for road test & the 5 hour class (+ a free driving class) John is the best teacher, a lot of patience and understanding. You can really see he loves to teach and has been doing it for years. His receptionist Melissa is super sweet and always calls the day before to confirm your class. They are also extremely flexible with your work schedule. Highly recommend this school, I could not be happier with the service. Just pass my road test yesterday morning! First try! ^_^