Top Driving Schools in the U.S.

Choosing the right driving school is an extremely important decision for teens and their parents to make. The quality of instruction students receive has a large and lasting impact on their enjoyment of driving and their willingness to continue learning and practicing independently. Beyond that, it helps them develop a healthy sense of confidence, which is essential to keeping themselves and others safe on the road.

The best driving schools know how to balance technological innovation with a human touch. Tech helps facilitate the experience, with features such as flexible scheduling and seamless payments making lessons more accessible, and can also contribute to safety through the use of dashcams. On the human side, having knowledgeable, experienced, vetted instructors ensures that students receive the highest quality instruction, making the lessons both more enjoyable and more effective.

Following are five driving schools that achieve this balance and offer top-quality instruction:

Coastline Academy. The nation’s largest and fastest-growing driving school, Coastline Academy has redefined the standards for driver’s education in the U.S. The company offers both online and behind-the-wheel lessons. Coastline leverages flexible online scheduling to make the experience feel modern and provides digital lesson reports after every lesson to help students make the most of their education. All drivers are state-certified, independently screened, and receive ongoing education and training to ensure that they meet the highest standards. They also use late-model, environmentally friendly vehicles equipped with dual brakes, dashcams, and audio recordings of lessons to ensure safety. This approach has driven the company to expand across 500+ cities in 9 states, delivering top-quality education to over 250,000 driving students.
Primo Driving School. Primo Driving School is a Los-Angeles based driving school that has been a staple in the community since 1980. Known for its flexible offerings and rigorously trained instructors, Primo’s adaptive curriculum ensures that drivers at any level of skill or experience can address key issues and develop lifelong confidence in their abilities. The school is also known for its senior driving evaluations and specialty stick shift training courses, reflecting its unique commitment to meeting drivers where they are and delivering truly personalized education.
DriversEd. DriversEd is an industry pioneer in driver’s ed with over 20 years of experience equipping students with the confidence they need to succeed. Offering online courses and behind-the-wheel lessons in select states, DriversEd uses a proven curriculum to prepare students not just to pass their driving test but to develop safe driving habits going forward. Combining convenience with rigour, they are a highly trusted brand for students of all ages and experience levels.
Zutobi. Zutobi is known for its highly flexible and engaging approach to driver’s education. It combines a rigorous curriculum with choice-based learning that allows students to choose the methods that work best for them, whether that is watching videos, reading, taking interactive quizzes, or a combination of these different methods. It also includes unique gamification elements, allowing users to motivate themselves by tracking their progress, earning points, and competing with friends.
First Class Driver. First Class Driver is a renowned school in the Fort Worth area that provides exceptional behind-the-wheel instruction. Known for state-certified, rigorously trained instructors and customizable courses and lesson plans, First Class Driver equips students with the skills and confidence necessary to easily pass their driving test. Its community roots and long service to the area, combined with its embrace of technology, make it a standout example of a modern behind-the-wheel driving school.