Varsity Driving Academy

Business Details

Your Trusted Driving School in Irvine, CA

At Varsity Driving Academy, we have dedicated ourselves to providing comprehensive driver education services to teens and adults throughout Orange County and Southern California. Our instructors are DMV-licensed professionals who undergo rigorous background checks and fingerprinting to ensure the highest standards of safety and expertise. We prioritize personalized one-on-one training, flexible scheduling, and free pick-up/drop-off services to accommodate our students' needs. Our curriculum combines online learning with hands-on behind-the-wheel experience, emphasizing defensive driving techniques and road safety.

With a focus on professionalism and community trust, we aim to prepare confident, responsible drivers while maintaining transparency in our pricing and operations. Our commitment to quality is reflected in our DMV-certified programs and the positive feedback from families who rely on our expertise to navigate the complexities of modern driving.

Services

Behind-the-Wheel Training Online Driver Education DMV Package Free Pick-Up/Drop-Off Flexible Scheduling Teen Driver Programs Adult Driver Refresher International Driver Training Vehicle Safety Instruction Defensive Driving Courses

Highlights and features

We offer DMV-licensed instructors with extensive behind-the-wheel experience.
We provide free pick-up and drop-off services for all training sessions.
Our flexible scheduling accommodates busy lifestyles and student needs.
We maintain a fleet of clean, well-maintained 2015-2019 Hyundai vehicles.
We emphasize patient, supportive instruction tailored to individual learning paces.

Associations and certifications

Driving School Association of California

What people say

Experienced instructors Patient teaching style Free pick-up/drop-off Flexible scheduling Effective training methods

Website

People

Mark McKinney

Owner and Operator

Mark McKinney founded Varsity Driving Academy with a commitment to road safety and community service. With extensive industry experience, he ensures all operations maintain DMV compliance and prioritize student well-being. His leadership focuses on professional instructor development and quality training programs.

Karen McKinney

Co-Owner

Karen McKinney contributes law enforcement expertise to shape the academy's safety protocols. As a community resident and parent, she emphasizes responsible driver education that addresses modern challenges. Her background influences the school's emphasis on student care and defensive driving techniques.

Ricardo Spencer

Driving Instructor

Ricardo Spencer brings 11 years of commercial driving experience and bilingual capabilities to instruction. A certified school bus driver, he excels in patience and road safety education. His annual competition participation demonstrates ongoing professional development and teaching excellence.

Pete Instructor

Senior Instructor

With over four decades of teaching experience, Pete specializes in foundational driving skills. His passion for motor sports translates to practical road safety instruction. He focuses on building proper habits from initial lessons through advanced training sessions.

Yolanda Instructor

Driving Instructor

Yolanda combines 30+ years of driving experience with prior teaching credentials. Her patient approach caters to diverse learning styles while maintaining strict safety standards. She emphasizes practical application of defensive driving techniques in varied traffic conditions.

Questions

What driver education packages do you offer?

We provide behind-the-wheel training starting at $525, online courses from $89, and combined packages like our $535 DMV-certified option. The DMV package includes car use for testing at $315.

Do you offer free transportation for lessons?

Yes, we provide complimentary pick-up and drop-off services for all training sessions across Orange County to accommodate student and parent schedules.

Are your instructors DMV-certified?

All instructors undergo DMV licensing, 60-hour training programs, and live-scan fingerprinting. They maintain current certifications and demonstrate extensive behind-the-wheel teaching experience.

What vehicles do you use for training?

We use 2015-2019 Hyundai Elantra and Accent models with dual braking systems. These vehicles have high NHTSA safety ratings (4-5 stars) and undergo regular DMV inspections for optimal safety.

How does scheduling work for lessons?

Office hours are Monday-Thursday 9am-6pm and Friday 9am-5pm. Instructors work seven days weekly for behind-the-wheel sessions. Customers can schedule through our website or by calling 949-387-4400.

What areas do you serve?

We serve all major Orange County cities including Irvine, Newport Beach, Tustin, Anaheim, and surrounding communities. Our service extends to public, private, and charter schools across Southern California.

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Reviews (16)

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Fariba Shaygan

Aug 10, 2022 Report

We had a great experience with Varsity driving school. They have knowledgeable instructors. They are super flexible and accommodating with our busy teen schedule. My daughter learned driving so well in such short time I am amazed. She drives with confidence and Passed her driving test with one error when she could have had up to 15 errors. Mark the owner even stepped in when we had to get a last driving lesson we had not planned ahead of time. Abby at the front office is superb. Professional, accommodating, knowledgeable. I recommend Varsity to any concerned parent who wants their teen to learn safe driving. Thank you varsity for great work. My son will be coming soon.

Emily Lancaster

Jun 19, 2022 Report

I had my first lesson with ED today, and he absolutely was the best instructor I could have hoped for. He helped my confidence from the moment I sat in the car and reassured me that he would help me every chance he could. In my first lesson, I was able to comfortably drive down the main road and was able to lane change confidently with his guidance. His instructions and encouragement was by far amazing and I'm very happy to have had him as an instructor! Highly recommend! Thank you so much Ed

Khang Pham

Mar 30, 2022 Report

I had Ed for my very first instructor. He was phenomenal. As someone who did not have a lot of experience and confidence going onto the main road, my second session with him was very exceptional. His calm and patient manner allowed me to drive smoothly while having mistakes from time to time. Ed's guidance and patience and advice was effective and ultimately helped increase the rate at which I was getting better. I definitely recommend him for future endeavors and any newcomers to Varisty Driving Academy.

Fia Good

Feb 28, 2022 Report

My first day of driving I felt overly confident and calm because of Ed! He is an amazing instructor and is very detailed. He helped me through lane changes, traffic checks, etc. I truly recommend Varsity Academy because of Ed. I was already on the main road in less than 20 minutes of driving. Overall, Varsity Driving Academy is a great place for learning. Thank you Ed!

Cristian Marques

Feb 28, 2022 Report

I did my first driving lesson with my instructor Ed and the experience was amazing. At first I was a little nervous because it was going to be my first time on the streets but Ed made everything very smooth. Ed taught me everything before going on the road and when we were on the road he talked me through everything and told me many things in advance. He kept me in check while driving and after 10 minutes I was very comfortable. Thank you Ed

Ivy Chang

Feb 13, 2022 Report

My first lesson with Varsity went really well, thanks so much to Ed my instructor. He was very professional with everything, from offering me wipes to wipe down things I'll be touching in the car to coaching me in detail on the basics. He was also very calm and encouraging despite some of my mistakes. I appreciated how clear and organized he was. The way he taught me helped me learn and understand quickly. Also really appreciated how he made me write down the things I needed to work on next time. Thank you!

Lenny Tabone

Feb 02, 2022 Report

This is a great school of driving. My son is doing very well with it. The book skills online are tailored to being ready for the written test. The requirement is 6 hours behind the wheel with an instructor and the instructor Ed was really great to talk to. For each 2 hour session he was very detailed in what my son was doing well and what he needed improvement on. I highly suggest varsity driving school

Evan Meng

Feb 01, 2022 Report

I just had my first driving lesson and I was really happy with the experience. I was fortunate enough to have Ed as my driving instructor. He is super patient and kind. He definitely made my first driving experience very smooth and calming. He taught me a lot of the basics to driving and I learned a lot on my first lesson. He makes driving and the overall experience very enjoyable. He was very professional and took many covid safety precautions like wiping down the steering wheel before hand. He gave very clear instructions which led me to understand fully what I should and shouldn't do.

Turtle Baby

Feb 01, 2022 Report

It was nice learning experience and with awesome instructor Ed. He is a very kind teacher and very patient to me all the time. I'm a kind of a nervous drive but when I was driving with him while I felt more confident. He helped me out a lot with driving concerns and struggling parts, and he always corrected my driving issues in the nice way which made me less nervous. In addition, he also gave me some useful tips for me to improve my driving skill. I highly recommend to learn driving with him if you plan to get a driver's license! Thank you so much Ed!

Lina Muller

Jan 24, 2022 Report

I had Ed as my driving instructor and he helped me improve on my driving a lot. He went over the areas where I felt I needed more help and now I am more confident. He made me feel very comfortable through out the lesson and gave very helpful advice. He made sure to ask if I had any questions multiple times so that I was comfortable with my driving. I truly enjoyed the lesson a lot. Thank you Ed!

Jenna Zayed

Jan 24, 2022 Report

I had my fourth lesson with Kam and he was an amazing instructor. He took the time to go over lane changes and traffic checks. I feel very confident in my driving now. He also gave many tips and took the time to explain different important parts of driving and I highly recommend him.

Dalia Perez

Jan 23, 2022 Report

I took a 6 hour lesson with varsity driving divided into a 3 day 2 hour course. Each course day I had different driving instructors, they were all great, however, on my last day I had Ed and I was so glad because he was by far the best. He was really good at giving me pointers on what I had yet to master and taught me how to properly traffic check, which was something I was still struggling to understand how to properly do.

Thanks to Ed I was able to drive on the freeway for the first time, which was something I really wanted to learn how to do for a few years now. I'm just really thankful I chose this driving school and now feel ready to take my driving test. Thank for helping me out Ed

Brock Donaldson

Jan 20, 2022 Report

Today was my second varsity driving academy lesson. I had the pleasure of having Ed as my instructor! He was by far the best instructor I've had so far. I liked the way he gave me pointers, and his style of coaching was great for me. I went on the freeway for the first time with him and thanks to him I felt super confident. He taught me to change lanes properly which was something I needed help with, and how to do traffic scans. It was an overall great lesson!

Paola Morales

Jan 11, 2022 Report

For the past couple of weeks, I'd been super nervous about my next driving lesson, but to my surprise today went very well. Ed was my driving instructor and it was calming to have him as my teacher. All of the small notes he gave me really helped me become more comfortable behind the wheel and now I am more confident to drive! I appreciate your time Ed :

Siena Duong

Dec 28, 2021 Report

I just finished my first driving lesson and it was an amazing experience. Ed, my driving instructor, was extremely comforting and encouraging throughout the drive. He taught me many new things and made sure that each rule was understood and implemented. I felt entirely safe throughout the whole lesson.

Netana Christiansen

Dec 11, 2021 Report

I highly recommend Varsity Driving Academy! Ed was my instructor and gave me a very clear and concise lesson through and through, by going over rules of the road, safety precautions, and extra helpful tips I would be able to use when driving. He was very polite throughout the entire lesson and made sure I was also comfortable! Thank you, Ed!