About Drive Carmel
Drive Carmel is Monterey County's premier driving school, owned and operated by retired CHP officers. Established in 1999, they have trained over 6,000 students, teaching them safe driving habits that will keep them secure during their teens and beyond. The school's instructors, particularly Bill, are incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely care about their students' learning process. Bill is known for his exceptional teaching skills, making lessons enjoyable and effective while ensuring students feel confident behind the wheel. Students have praised his ability to explain and demonstrate driving techniques, particularly in stick shift driving, which has left many feeling ready to tackle manual transmission vehicles. The staff members are friendly, and the school has all the necessary materials for in-person classes, which help students learn the crucial facts they need to know for their permits. Overall, Drive Carmel comes highly recommended for anyone looking to learn proper and safe driving skills, whether for teens or adults seeking to overcome their fears and embrace driving with confidence.
I took the stick shift driving course with Bill at Drive Carmel and could not be more satisfied. Bill explained and demonstrated the skills needed to drive manual so thoroughly that after less than 2 hours of driving, I already feel completely confident getting behind the wheel of a vehicle with manual transmission. Absolutely worth the experience, and I would recommend Bill and Drive Carmel to anyone looking to learn to drive or take their driving to the next level.
We are so grateful to Drive Carmel, especially to Bill, for his exceptional job helping my daughter learn to drive. He went above and beyond making sure she got the most out of the experience. She is in a much better place with her driving skills after her lessons. It’s clear Bill cares about teaching teen drivers proper technique and how to be safe on the road. It can sometimes be challenging to teach your own child to drive. I would not hesitate for one second to sign up for driving lessons through Drive Carmel and give yourself peace of mind.
At the age of 40, I got my first drivers license thanks to Bill at Drive Carmel. I went from being phobic--I cried my first lesson!--to truly loving to drive. I have since referred two adult friends to Bill, whose patience, good humor, expertise, and 80s new wave soundtrack made it possible for us to learn something we never thought we would. Truly the best.