Institute For Drivers Safety

Recommends

Christy W.

Joined 10 months ago

This school was recommended to me by my fellow co-workers in the airline industry. The staff assured me that my daughter would be assigned to a patient instructor as she was very nervous to drive. Both of her instructors were patient, courteous and really helped her progress at her level. Today, my daughter is a great driver! This school is worth the time and money that I invested to watch her gain the confidence she needed.

Recommends

Rebecca R.

Joined 10 months ago

We appreciate your program and the investment you make in helping our children become better drivers. This is our third child to take part in the Road to Excellence Program, and we think it is perfect!

Recommends

Mary M.

Joined 10 months ago

I don't have a student enrolled in this school... I just wanted to point out a couple of things I noticed regarding some of the tips posted about IDS. First - it seems like a strange coincidence that the most recent negative review for the school was posted by someone with the exact same name as the person who posted a glowing review for another school...that is being run by three former IDS employees. (I might mention that one of those former employees also was immature enough to create a fraudulent website that is designed to make people think it belongs to IDS. One or more of those former employees has also reportedly been telling parents calling around for program information, that IDS is going out of business - so they shouldn't bother calling them. Several of the points mentioned in this specific negative review are so completely ridiculous, that anyone who knows anything about IDS should be able to tell immediately that there is something suspicious going on. I don't intend to get into a mud-slinging contest - because I feel that is beneath me - but just want to tell anyone researching schools, and reading negative "tips"...to keep in mind that anyone can post anything at anytime. It doesn't mean it's true. By the way, I'm not the owner of IDS (or a member of their family), and I don't have any reason to write things that aren't true. I simply have a real problem with dishonesty of any kind and am hoping this will give parents something to think about.

Recommends

Paula C.

Joined 10 months ago

This school was recommended to me by several friends, I was impressed by how long the school has been in the valley and the expertise of the instructors. When I was reading the comment below I'm wondering if we even went to the same school, when I brought my son to the classroom I paid with my credit card and his instructor was a current Mesa police officer that explained the process of how to get the permit and how to schedule drives very thoroughly. My son also said he kept the class involved, asked everyone questions and was funny.

My son went on his first drive with very little experience, we had only driven with him in a parking lot. When the instructor dropped him off at home he gave me an evaluation sheet with areas checked off that he needed to work on before the next drive and even how many hours he would need to practice to pass the road test. At the classroom we were given a log book to keep track of how much he had driven so after we practiced with him, I called in and scheduled his second drive. He passed the road test without a problem! Both the instructors were really nice and helped me understand what I needed to do as a parent to help my son learn how to drive.

Doesn't Recommend

Mary L.

Joined 11 months ago

Stay Away from This Driving School! This company only wants your money. Poor service with even poorer customer relations.

I had enrolled by son in this school based on the other teens in my neighborhood using it. I was first concerned when I attempted to register "on line" and kept playing phone tag with the rude office staff. I was then told that they would appreciate "cash" as the first form of payment. I should have seen the light at this point, but my kid wanted to get his permit. He said that the class was okay, but the Instructor was hard to understand and mumbled his words.

On his drive, the guy arrived late and said that he was having problems with the car. I asked what kind of problems as I was concerned, the car looked old and beat up. He said that it was nothing to worry about. I again said that I was concerned and he said that I could cancel the drive, but all the cars are the same and there would be a fee for cancelling. I was very reluctant, but my son was anxious. After the drive, I was told that my son was a "bad driver" and needed a lot of work. I said that is why he is going to your school, to be taught how to drive. Not very professional.

My boy then took his next drive and seemed pretty confident, he had been doing well I thought. When he got home, I could tell he was upset. The Instructor said that he had failed the test and needed to practice at least ten hours more. Stopping and staying in his lane were the issues. I was told that I could call and schedule a retest. His father and myself practiced with him and thought that he was ready to retest. I called the school and attempted to schedule a retest. I was told by the woman answering the phone that there were "no retests given". I said that the Instructor said that I could call and there would be no charge. I was told very curtly that there were no retests and that I could buy another drive segment if I wanted him retested.

I asked to talk to a manager and/or owner and was told that no one was available. I left my number and expected a call back. I called back at least 3 more times and each time I was told that no one was available. I found out that the owner is RANDAL ARTMAN and asked specifically for him. I was informed that he is never available. I asked that he call me, he never did.

My son did get his drivers license, at the M.V.D. I have complained to the M.V.D. about the Institute for Drivers Safety and I am guessing that nothing has been done.

Please take my warning with this company, there are many other driving schools out there, don't choose this one!

Doesn't Recommend

Becca B.

Joined 1 year ago

Deplorable: Absolutely Flooring.. As an adult attending the introductory semininar at IDS for the first time, I have to say this was rather an unpleasant experience to say the least. Halfway through I found myself repeatedly (I have been diagnosed with a mild form of narcolepsy) slipping in and out of consciousness, and this is when our lovely, insensitive instructor Larry F. decided to whip out his EX-cop authority on my ass and openly declare in a forthright voice as forty other students gawked on, that if I found him so boring I should just call my "mommy" and have her pick me up. Offended, I shifted my gaze as he continued to berate me from across the classroom and this is when he demanded I show him eye contact out of courtesy, saying that IDS was a place that would teach me how to "not to kill people in car accidents", while he derogatorily referred to me as "young lady". Then scoffing, he told me, "now that you are good and embarrassed, perhaps this will motivate you to pay attention". It was mortifying experience and I found myself exiting the building immediately afterwards in fumes. Larry is a disgrace to the human race, who gives cops a bad reputation for being rude, egotistical power mongers. After I had recuperated, I went back to ask for a refund, but was told by the receptionist at the front desk that the $350 would not be refunded. Well, I certainly do intend on getting in contact with the manager of this rigged business. This was completely inappropriate, unprofessional conduct that will not just breeze on by. I am thoroughly disgusted with this Larry F and will definitely find another way of attaining my license without his assistance.

Recommends

Runner11

Joined 2 years ago

1st Child Through - Extremely Satisfied. This was my first child to learn how to drive so needless to say I was nervous and didn't know where to begin. We started the program with the classroom instruction and my daughter took the test to get her permit. For the drives the instructor came to our house and was extremely patient with me and all the questions I had. Even after the drive he went over everything they did during the drive and how much practice time she needed. At the end of the second drive she took the driver's test to get her license. I was so happy with the range of concepts they covered, she was able to drive at night, during rush hour, downtown, and on the freeways all with an former cop. All I can say is that my son will be going to the Institute for Drivers Safety as well.

Doesn't Recommend

Mick16

Joined 2 years ago

Absolutely Awful! DO NOT GO HERE. We are very dissapointed in the instruction our daughter recieved at this joke of an business. We were looking for supplementary education to help our new driver learn the rules of the road more thoroughly. What we got was a complete and total waste of time and money. The class was way too crowded and impersonal, so much so we just stopped going after a few sessions.

I guess this is the outcome of a bunch of idot cops trying to run a business... Sorry, ex-cops. Imagine the type of people who aren't smart or personable enough to hack it as a cop (which is saying a lot) - these are the type of people you will deal with here. One of the instructors even had my daughter stop for a personal errand during one of their drives! Unblievable. Trust me, go somewere else or teach your kids on your own. I wish we had...

Doesn't Recommend

MOM2THREE

Joined 2 years ago

WORST SERVICE EVER - DO NOT TRUST THESE PEOPLE. These people are not to be trusted!!! Ya they may be ex-cops but they are more like bullies. I guess there is a reason they are EX cops and doing student driving. So unprofessional. I have literally had to fight with them to get my childs driving appointments and when I finally got driving time they showed up late, were very unprofessional and we didn't get the full time. And then when I questioned it, they were very rude. I would not be surprised if what the other reviews said about them asking for drinks etc weren't true. They get you in by making you prepay and then make it as difficult as possible to get your money's worth. Unbelievalble!!!

Doesn't Recommend

member6666

Joined 2 years ago

VERY DISAPPOINTING.... Disappointing.

Bought a package. I was warned that I may have to schedule the pre-paid driving lessons a few weeks in advance. Just getting them on the phone was a challenge. My first message on a Monday went ignored for two days. My second message asked that if they miss me to leave dates and times. All they did was say for me to call again and leave a number that I would answer during the day, as if we all have the luxury to sit by our phone all day and answer every call.

When I finally got someone on the phone [February 11] I was told that they were already booked for the month except one time during the school day. Unless I wanted to take my child out of school there was NOTHING.

Worse yet, they refused to put my child on a schedule for March. They offered a waiting list in the event of a cancellation during February. But they said to really get an appointment I had to call back at the end of the month and start again.

There was no manager available to speak with, and they said that the owner does not work in the office.

When registering, I was also told it would include the driving permit. Later found out it included the written test but I still had to go to MVD for the permit. Heard that they typically misrepresent that.

They clearly are taking on more students than they can handle. Once the students get a permit, they want to DRIVE. It is unreasonable to expect them to wait two months. Otherwise, the parents end up doing the job they hired the school to do. I wanted my child to have the behind-the-wheel instruction prior to going on the road. Even though an adult would have to be present, we are not trained in teaching drivers safety.

I have read some of the posts that you do not get what is promised, and I have to say that they need to take responsibility for over promising and under delivering, all in the name of $$$$$.

In all fairness, we did use them a few years ago and had a good experience and I referred many people to them. It is a great concept if they would follow-though. Unfortunately it seems that they became popular and now their quality and integrity has suffered, so I can no longer recommend them as a good option.