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Alafia Driving Academy Alafia Driving Academy opened due to the need to provide a better understanding of driving requirements and techniques that were unavailable in the area.

It was decided to provide One-on-One, Behind-the-Wheel instruction for the teenagers of eastern Hillsborough County to educate them on how to be a safe driver. This allows parents to know that their children are being taught by highly qualified and trained Professional Driving Instructors so their teens would learn to be secure and experienced drivers by the time receive their license.
Business details
  • Year established: 2013
  • Licensed
  • Insured
Highlights and features
  • Adult Courses, Teen Courses, Defensive Courses
Associations and certifications
  • FPDSA - Florida Professional Driving School Association
  • Florida Safety Council
  • American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association
  • Driving School Association of California
  • Driving School Association of the Americas
  • Better Business Bureau
Reviews (20)
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Dawn Grados Castor
Aug 10, 2022
I highly recommend this school and the instructors (we had Anthony) to anyone that needs driving instruction! Appointments were easy to make, the instructors rock and customer service is top notch.
Pam Sepe
Aug 10, 2022
I owe my son a great big hug for giving me that much needed push which I have resisted for so long, but most of all for finding the perfect teacher to help me through the process. Cole has the perfect formula for combining a fun sense of humor along with patience and guidance to help his students (of any age) find the confidence necessary to get out on the highway.

Thank you, Cole for giving me the encouragement and helping me to accomplish something I never dreamed was possible. My husband is so proud and very relieved! Wishing you the best and continued success. Gold stars all around!!!
Brian Chelius
Aug 10, 2022
My wife was very scared of driving. after taking lessons with both Anthony and Cole, She loves it !!!!! not only she was she scared but she is also from Thailand as well. They have worked with her and she cant wait to get a car !!! and with the reports I get after every lesson, I know she is doing great as well I have peace of mind!!!
Sheila Marie Donalson
Aug 10, 2022
He does a great job and loves what he does. I would totally recommend him to parents with children getting at the age to drive as well as the elderly people who have never driven.
Erica Davis
Aug 10, 2022
We absolutely loved this driving school and thanks to my sons lessons with Cole I am no longer afraid to drive with him. My son had so much fun learning! If you have driving age kids I highly recommend letting the trainer as this school train them!
Lesley
Aug 10, 2022
Cole was very encouraging and really worked well with my 16 year old son, making him feel like he could do it. After every lesson, my son was more confident in his ability and eager to drive.
Cole always answered my questions (being an anxious mom, I had many). I would highly recommend this service.
Debbie L.
Aug 10, 2022
My daughter, Allie just had a wonderful lesson with Cole from Alafia Driving Academy! When I first spoke with Cole on the phone, he explained that for the first lesson he would assess her driving skills and take it from there. Since he books up really fast, I booked 5 lessons (expecting to have to add on). When he dropped her back off, he shook our hands and he said Good Bye.

But, it sounded final.

He suggested that we cancel the rest of the lessons and said "she did fine and isn't in need of anymore lessons". I was shocked! Cole is extremely honest and he could have easily suggested a package and I would have agreed! More importantly, my daughter felt comfortable with him and had such an amazing experience! I now have the piece of mind, that my daughter is a safe driver. I highly recommend Alafia Driving Academy! I have seen and fully agree with the so many positive reviews for Cole on Facebook!
Lauren C​.
Aug 10, 2022
Hey , it's Lauren ! I took the road test today and passed !!! I'm so excited and he said I did excellent ! Everything that you said was on it was 100% accurate and it was so easy. thank you again! Thank you thank you thank you thank you !
Sonic Fightervlogs
Mar 31, 2022
Thank you alafia for your accommodating 10 hour lesson, quick responses to problems, and patience. My son got his license and needed them desperately being in a new city and to get to work.
Shruti Iyer
Feb 16, 2022
I am very thankful to Alafia Driving Academy and especially Brandon! He is an excellent instructor and very professional. I was someone with zero knowledge about car, and now holding a driving license after having passed the road test in very first attempt. Brandon encouraged me all the times, turning me confident driver. Efforts paid off well! :
L. Jackson
Aug 02, 2021
My daughter had a great experience with "Brandon Anderson". She was very comfortable learning with him. Thanks Brandon!
Dfhepp Dfhepp
Jul 02, 2021
Brandon was a great instructor. My daughter passed her driving test easily. Thank you.
Kelly Lowry
May 01, 2021
We signed my son up for the DMV test lesson and he had Jason as his instructor. My son had expected it to be a painful experience, but was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable it was. He said Jason found a way to relate to him and made the whole experience really enjoyable. When he got back, he was confident in his ability to pass the driver's test. I would definitely recommend Alafia to anyone with a teen that needs some lessons.
Yvette Francis
Apr 19, 2021
Wonderful session with Brandon Anderson. Honestly! I was nervous and not fearful. I decided It was time to face my fear by getting professional help driving myself around safely. I am thankful for his assistance with driving session. Brandon is very professional and honestly direct, with that he Got me behind the wheel with more nervous than fear.

This is great, because I have been fearful of getting behind the wheel for many years. This was our 1st session and I am so ready for session #2. The next few days I will review all the pointers and all his comments to help improve on becoming a safe driver. Thank you! :
Jessica Spencer
Jan 18, 2021
Brandon is the absolute best! I had taken driving classes in the past but due to life circumstances never got around to taking the road test. When I moved from NYC to FL, I didn't have any other option but to get my Driver's License. Brandon helped me master the techniques and I passed my road test. I had failed previously due to parking. You will not regret taking a course with him!
Nickie Babcock
Jul 28, 2020
Cole Dolmseth is a rockstar! He was able to get my daughter on the road, teach her practical skills that she remembers, and made it such a fun experience that she raves about him. Not only is he an excellent driving instructor, he also gives excellent feedback after every lesson. I am so glad we found him - the skills he teaches are priceless.
Charmin Jahn
Mar 21, 2020
Alafia Driving Academy is absolutely the best. My daughter made leaps and bounds on her driving experience in just the first few lessons. The instructors are awesome. A++++ in my book.
Sunshine
Nov 30, 2018
I highly recommend Alafia Driving School. They have very competent instructors. Hubert, one of their instructors, can turn a very nervous NEW teenage driver into a very confident skilled driver. That's amazing! THANK YOU.
Teresa Denny
May 26, 2017
Alafia Driving Academy is the best school for first time drivers in the Tampa Bay Area! The instructors were very helpful and patient, which taught my daughter a lot and would definitely recommend them to other new drivers! Thank you for having professional instructors who gave her the skill and confidence to take the driving test and pass on the first try!
Erica Bennett
Jun 07, 2016
We absolutely loved this driving school and thanks to my sons lessons with Cole I am no longer afraid to drive with him. My son had so much fun learning! If you have driving age kids I highly recommend letting the trainer as this school train them!