Viva Driving School

Great service. Always helpful. Would recommend. They taught me useful skills and top NOTCH driving tips. So go!

The driving school is a great help to me to get the hang of driving, the instructors are nice and helpful, they give u tips and corrections when needed. The scheduling for lessons are easy, the driving experience with this driving school is awesome, I get to learn a lot from them. They helped me pass my driving test easily and help me build up my confidence before the test. Overall it is a very good experience with viva driving school

My sister took lessons here for her permit. She loved Holvik! My sister passed her license test first try. Highly recommended.

My first instructor was Veronica. She was helpful and very patient with me, but it was to my dismay that she was no longer working there when I scheduled another appointment. Luckily I was met with two other amazing instructors Shaniye (I’m probably butchering her name, sorry) and David. David was super patient, very calm. He let’s you do your thing barely intervening unless totally necessary, which helped me learn to do it on my own. Then Shaniye was so absolutely nice and she made sure to highlight small, but crucial mistakes on the driving test that I would’ve otherwise made and she’s the one who helped me perfect and polish my driving. I’m excited to say I passed my test. Amazing school. You won’t be disappointed.

Super nice people! Really great instructors, they let you know what you are doing wrong and help you improve. They do a great job at preparing you for the test.

I’ve had a couple different instructors and while they all have their different teaching styles each one of them was professional and helpful. I was a nervous driver and had virtually no driving experience, but Viva really helped me build my skills and confidence. The entire process of scheduling and paying was completely painless. Great driving school and I have to agree with some of the other reviews about Glenn. He is a great instructor to learn from. He is very calm and his teaching style was very effective with me because he was able to help me be less anxious about driving.

Viva driving school is very informational in getting me ready for the behind the wheel driving test. I would really recommend it for all the new drivers

Amazing driving school! I don’t know how much longer it would have taken me to receive a license, if it wasn’t for viva driving school. The customer service is awesome, the two receptionist are polite and are great in providing information and answering any questions. Glenn my driving instructor was extremely polite. The owner David is honest and very hardworking. David took me to my driving exam and gave me the encouragement I needed to pass the test on the first try. When I got my results he was as excited as I was! The day I drove it was pouring rain in Glendale and I still managed to pass with only minus one point! Great experience, highly recommended!

It is an awesome driving school! All of the instructors are patient and can teach driving skills very well.

My teenage son just passed his road test and it was his first try too! Sarah was his instructor. After completing 6 mandatory hours of instruction with them, Sarah recommended doing one more lesson just before the test and we are so glad that we did! My son said it was a real big help for the actual test! Highly recommend them.

Great driving school. Esp. for first time drivers. Learned so much so fast. Ask for Glen!

I had three different instructors each of my three sessions with Viva. They were all very helpful and patient whenever I made an error. I would recommend taking driving lessons here.

I enjoyed this school! They show you the right way to drive and were very helpful. The drivers were fantastic, nice, and great teachers! I highly recommend calling viva if you are trying to pass your deivers license test and want to know the correct way to drive A+++++++

Although the classes went great, they really shattered my expectations the day of the test. I knew I would have a different instructor because of the DMV I selected however I also got a different car which frankly was not told to me and was not acceptable whatsoever. It took me a good hour to get the hang of the car in terms of its controls as it was vastly different from the other one. I got really nervous because it was a different car and it definitely contributed to me failing the test.
I would highly recommend getting the classes however make sure you confirm that on the day of the test, you get the same car you practiced on and preferably the same instructor as well so that last minute changes don’t affect your confidence.

Glen was my instructor. He was really nice and he taught me a lot. I went on the freeway with him for the first time (And second and third lol). I was really nervous at first but he made me feel confident.
Because Glen was not working on Tuesday so David took me to the test. David was really nice too. He pointed out all the mistakes I was making and help me review the test to make sure that I can do my best on the test.
I would definitely recommend VIVA to my friends.

Love this driving school! The staff is so nice and courteous! I really recommend Ruben, he is patient and taught me ways to improve my driving skills. This is an excellent school for anyone wanting to learn how to drive!

I started teaching my son how to drive and it was a bit of a challenging experience just as I remember it with my dad. However we heard of Viva Driving school thru one of his classmates. Just after the first lesson I could see a massive improvement in his driving and he has been driving me around since then. The instructors are very helpful with the parents in explaining what areas the kid needs to focus on. I am very impressed with the professionalism of the instructors and really appreciate their help in getting my son moving in this new chapter of his life.

I was genuinely new to driving, and the driving instructor was very kind and patient with every car ride I took.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED ASKING FOR GLEN!

This is the BEST school and Ruben is a fabulous instructor. You don’t need to call any other places. The price is right and the instruction is first rate. PLUS Ruben went with my son to take his driving test in Pasadena, which is reportedly a hard DMV for kids to pass. He passed on the first try. Vive le VIVA!!!
(We went to another school before VIVA and had a dreadful experience. The teacher couldn’t find our house, and got testy with me when I tried to give her our correct address. ??. Then she made my son very nervous. The school would not change teachers. We cancelled the last two classes, then went with VIVA, where we should have gone to begin with.)

Where to begin…
Because this is gonna be LONG.
There is a section for the instructors and then a section for the cars.
They’re amazing. The whole lot of them. I’ve been with 3 of the instructors and 3 types of cars (fiat, yaris, and prius). Also Anna, who’s the receptionist/​front desk is super sweet and lovely.
But anyways, as you can see, I spent a lot of time with them :)
Side note– if you’re 100% new on the road, 6hrs is not gonna get you your license. Passing the test is about being familiar and CONFIDENT on the road. It took me 50 hrs+ until I was able to tell a joke and turn at an intersection (into correct lane) at the same time.
Me as a driver:
NYC-​born and raised. I practised a lot of driving with my dad. A LOT. This also means I drive like a New Yorker, which means I particularly suck at driving. I failed my NYC driving test and also the first test here in LA. My issues were in steering and turning (and actively looking at intersections: x))
Viva, practically fixed all my problems. I first set up an appointment via phone, and Anna was super sweet. I mean, if you’re setting up for the first time, she’ll ask you about what type of instruction you best respond to or what not, and she’s super patient. I think my first words where «hello! … So uh…(silence)». Haha.
REVIEW OF INSTRUCTORS:
The first instructor I was with was Bert (first two lessons), who was a great instructor (well they all are). He’s super critical and points out all your mistakes. I mean, you won’t even notice a few things about turning or braking, and he’ll point it out. He’s really good if you want it straight in your face. Although he’s a tough cookie, he’s actually really nice. And although at times he can appear discouraging, he’ll still compliment you when you do things right. :)
Second instructor I had, because Bert couldn’t take me to my test, was Hovic. Now this guy is pretty badass. As much as I loved having Bert as an instructor, Hovic was particularly good at helping me fix my problems. He kind of talks like an old Kung fu grandmaster in the movies. Like really zen, gentle, and poetic. Bert was more drill sergeant-​y. Haha. Hovic can mumble sometimes (and has this charming accent) but he’s really patient. If you’re the nervous or anxious type, or if the road still freaks you out, Hovic will make it seem calm. On the other hand, Bert can whip you into shape but you might get a heart attack: P.
I ended up signing with Hovic for another lesson and in 2 hours I became the smoothest right turner in SoCal ohyeah. (No not really, I still screwed up two right turns on the test)
Last instructor I had was David, who’s also the founder of Viva. He’s there when an appointment can’t be met with other instructors such as my case, an early DMV appointment that neither Bert or Hovic were available.
Definitely a sweetie as well, he’s a good demonstrator and can show you a few tips and tricks. I think he talks the most out of the three, but it’s not a bad thing. He would remind you on a lot of things so they sink in (especially when it comes to braking).
Now, CAR REVIEW!
FIAT (525cc)
I hate this car. The lightest car of the three. I don’t know why you want to drive this thing, sorry to all fiat drivers, but I really hate this car. I felt like I was gliding on the road and when I made a (sharp) left turn I thought I was on 3 wheels. And that freaked me out.
Steering is easy, brake was a bit stiff. I had to reaaaally step on it to make the car stop. HATE it.
Toyota Yaris (not sure what year)
It’s okay. I liked this car way better than the Fiat. Steering was a little stiffer to me, but I felt like I had more control of the vehicle. I liked the brakes on it too, it wasn’t too sensitive or stiff. The one thing I liked about this car for sure was the acceleration. I hit the pedal, it goes and makes you feel it.
Toyota Prius (2010)
Slowly started to like it. I’ve never driven a hybrid or an electric car. Definitely the smoothest of the three. Maneuverability wasn’t quite like the Yaris (I think the Yaris ran smoother, personal opinion) but the brakes are super sensitive on this thing. It’s a love/​hate, you’ll just have to get used to it. Also in general, Prius accelerates very smoothly (but slowly), so it works well with the brakes.
Toyota Prius (2007)
I ended up taking this car to my road test because the 2010 was used. Now this obviously ran like the 2010 Prius, except the braking was SO MUCH BETTER. I was a little skeptical when Caleb called me about the switch, but damn I’m happy it happened. Hell it was perfect. If you could get this car, you should!!! But if you’re hard on the brakes, the Yaris might be better. If you’re lighter on it, the 2010 Prius is better.
Anyways, I passed the driving test. 6hrs total on the road and two tests) so I paid over $ 500~.
Also you’re almost guaranteed to pay overtime if you’re taking the road test with them.
:I have more to say but I reached the text limit.