We differ from other schools in that we specialize in both driver's education and advanced behind-the-wheel driver's training. When students train with us, they learn not only the essentials of safe driving, but also advanced defensive driving techniques such as hazard detection, risk perception, precise vehicle control, space management, and driver attitude. Not only that, but on our students last lesson, we examine them based on the actual DMV test requirements. Thus, our practice test gives you the best preparation possible for the DMV exam. We also have the best value! In comparison to our competitors, nearly all our packages are either the same or a lower price. In wanting you to have the best, we provide the highest service at the most affordable cost.
Highlights and features
- Adult Courses, Teen Courses, Defensive Courses, Online Courses
Associations and certifications
- Driving School Association of California
- Driving School Association of the Americas
People
Don Little John
Don has served on the Local Driving team for eight years, but has been a driving instructor for over eleven years. He is an experienced professional who sees drivers training as his career. He has many children and grandchildren, which he says helps him understand and communicate with his students. Consequently, he enjoys working with youth, and values his work as a unique opportunity to help society, specifically by training youth to be safe drivers. He was born in Marysville, CA, and is extremely familiar with Yuba-Sutter county. In fact, his family history in the Yuba/Marysville area traces back to the 1860s. On his free time, Don enjoys riding motorcycles and spending time with his family.
Steve Barkley
Steve has taught driving for four years, loves his work, and is beloved by his students. His enthusiasm for excellent drivers training, and enduring enjoyment of his work, stems from three of his primary life values: getting to know and help others, participating in and serving his community, and a lifelong love of teaching. Before entering the driving profession, Steve worked as a professional stand-up comedian for 32 years. He has a genuine passion for life and laughter, constantly bringing joy and aid to those around him. He has been a $10,000 winner on America's Funniest People, and still works part-time as a professional stand-up comic. Some of Steve's hobbies include archery, falconry, and studying Germanic history.
Mani Sondhi
Owner & Operator
Manish Sondhi, the owner and operator of Local Driving School, is the most experienced professional of the Local Driving team. He has taught drivers training for fourteen years, and is a DMV licensed traffic school instructor. Manish, perhaps more than anyone else, sees his work as a service to society. He is passionate about teaching students to be safe, wise, and courteous drivers, as well as helping new drivers earn their license. He is a defensive driving professional, and has taught driving across Northern California, including the Bay Area. Manish grew up in Yuba City, CA, studied at San Francisco State University, and worked as a driving instructor while majoring in businesses. Manish has partnered Local Driving with "Donate Life California", offers free driving education to adults every year, and has raised awareness about traffic safety in his local community. A few of Manish's hobbies include traveling and playing tennis.
Reviews (21) Victoria Garcia
Aug 10, 2022
Local Driving School, you are fantastic! I didn't have any clue about driving when I started driving. To tell you the truth, my experience before that was a few times of moving the car in a parking lot. Now I drive everywhere without being accompanied with my parents. No accident and tickets due to the excellent training Local Driving School gave me. Please keep up the good work! I will tell all my fiends to come to you. I promise!
Jimmy Mann
Aug 10, 2022
I was very nervous for my first behind the wheel lesson, I had never been behind the wheel of a car before. My instructor made me feel very comfortable and by the end of the lesson I was confident that I could drive with my parents and not be scared. I would recommend Local Driving School to anyone that needs behind the wheel training.
Candace M.
Apr 10, 2022
They have rescheduled all 3 of my daughter's appointments. This last time was 10 minutes before she was supposed to have her lesson. They said it was too windy even though it was not even windy. (It had been windy 2 hours earlier, but the wind died down until the evening, when it had picked back up). Also, they have never showed up on time. The instructor showed up 45 minutes late to one appointment. 2nd appointment, the instructor had my daughter drive her back to the office to change instructors. This, to me, is a very poor business practice.
If I had known that this company was so unreliable, I would've picked another driving school. *Today the instructor was a half hour late again and shorted 2 hour lesson by over 10 minutes. Literally, my daughter was back inside our house early.
If I had known that this company was so unreliable, I would've picked another driving school. *Today the instructor was a half hour late again and shorted 2 hour lesson by over 10 minutes. Literally, my daughter was back inside our house early.
D. P.
May 01, 2021
Lindsey G.
Mar 27, 2021
Mani and his staff are AMAZING! My daughter took her last two lessons with the school and we were thoroughly impressed by their service. Mani helped us schedule her drive test and the package we paid for was well worth it! She got a lot of additional experience that helped her pass her drive test on the first try! The instructors my daughter had, Laura and Steve, were FANTASTIC! All the staff went above and beyond and I am so thankful we found this school!
Sandy M.
Sep 20, 2020
My son attended this driving school for the last two driving sessions and said he liked how they taught. I received a phone call on Friday indicating I had overpaid on my sons driving session I would not of realized if the gentleman had not called me. not many would've called to let me know that I overpaid very thankful for the honesty and the learning lessons for my son.
Mary Y.
Aug 11, 2020
Julie C.
Dec 20, 2019
Seng Y.
Jul 31, 2019
Sherri H.
Jan 01, 2019
Local Driving School earns five stars from me! My daughter took her driving lessons through them and we are very satisfied. Don L. is the best instructor. He is so thorough, teaching far above and beyond what others do and more than the minimum needed to pass the test. There was a bit of a mix-up with our lessons and the owner called me personally to straighten things out. I have recommended this company, and specifically Don L., to all my daughter's friends.
Latisha L.
Nov 27, 2018
I would like to thank Local Driving School and Staff for their awesome customer services and flexible schedule my daughter has completed her 6 hour behind the wheel and has gained a great deal of confidence in her driving skills I would recommend friends and family and those in the community who are looking for qualified team to go above and beyond to teach the rules of the road and safety Thank You Family Tinoco
Harpreet K.
Sep 27, 2018
I just wanted to take the time out to say Local driving school is very professional and staffed with excellent teachers. They have a lot of patience and work well with all age groups. I took lessons with Local driving school 6 years ago when I got my license and ever since then I have been recommending everyone I know to them as well. They create a safe learning environment that allows you to take away the most knowledge and safe driving tips from your experience. The best driving school around!
Veronica P.
Nov 12, 2017
Isaac S.
Nov 09, 2017
Sarah Q.
Jun 09, 2017
We used this company for our son's 6 hour behind the wheel training. The instructors are fine but the 3 stars are for scheduling. We picked times and dates that worked for us but on numerous occasions they rescheduled on their own without making sure it will work out for us and on one occasion they showed up to our house without our knowledge. They said they had a scheduling error. Make sure to schedule through yelp because there is a discount which we missed out on. Happy and safe driving!
Tracy D.
Jun 02, 2017
K. D. M.
Aug 18, 2016
Hired this company for my teenage sister the fall of 2015. I'm only giving this company two stars because sister really liked the instructor, Amarjit. I was upset because they do what they call "Piggy Backing" driving sessions. This means another inexperienced driver will be picking up YOUR CHILD and then driving back to their own home. I was really upset the first time I found out they did this, and I called and asked that they NOT do this again with my sister.
They apologized and told me it wouldn't happen again. They lied, they did it again. For every session of the three my sister had, another kid picked her up and or she picked up and drove another kid home. Two of the three times the other kid was on their first driving session with the school. I understand that they are busy but I feel that this practice is unacceptable and done as a way for the company to be frugal and not lose time/money.
They apologized and told me it wouldn't happen again. They lied, they did it again. For every session of the three my sister had, another kid picked her up and or she picked up and drove another kid home. Two of the three times the other kid was on their first driving session with the school. I understand that they are busy but I feel that this practice is unacceptable and done as a way for the company to be frugal and not lose time/money.
Marj H.
Jul 12, 2016
I was looking for a not so expensive driving school and thankfully I found the Local Driving School! I enrolled to the 8hr class and I met the most awesome instructor ever! Bill is the best! He was very patient with me and taught me a lot! We had a really cool class! I just passed my behind the wheel test today and I am very happy and excited Thanks to Local Driving School and of course Bill!
Eric B.
Apr 29, 2016
Maria B.
Jan 24, 2016
The instructors were very helpful in encouraging and teaching my nervous young driver! Customer service is great with home pick up and drop off. I recommend adding the option of the before test prep and DMV appointment. They schedule your test appointment, pick up your student, have a cram session, take them to the DMV for you and the student uses the Local Driving School vehicle for the test. Then they drop your student back off at home. This eliminates the nail biting mom from even having to be there! My son takes his test Feb 10th. Wish us luck!
Christy B.
Oct 19, 2015
Really wish I hadn't prepaid for all three lessons because they are super flakey & unprofessional. They were 45 min late the first time. Today the instructor was over an hour late and didn't even bother to call. I called the office, but nobody answered. I assumed they weren't coming at all. My daughter was really disappointed. Then he showed up and acted like nothing happened.
I asked him if he realized he was an hour and ten minutes late. He said, "Well, I was dropping off other students." And offered no apology at all. Thank God we only have one left because these people are super aggravating to deal with!
I asked him if he realized he was an hour and ten minutes late. He said, "Well, I was dropping off other students." And offered no apology at all. Thank God we only have one left because these people are super aggravating to deal with!
