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A-Safe Way Driving School
Category: Education Specialty Schools Driving Schools Driving Schools [Edit]
1038 Taraval St(between 20th Ave & 21st Ave)
San Francisco, CA 94116
Neighborhood: Parkside
(415) 665-1133
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 9 am - 7 pm
11 reviews for A-Safe Way Driving School
11 reviews in English
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Review from Caitlin E.
San Francisco, CA
3/22/2010
I believe that A-Safe Way Driving School is under new ownership and management so I would suggest ignoring old reviews.
My instructor was Collin Huey, who I believe is the new owner of the business, and he was excellent.
Collin was very thorough. He didn't just teach me how to pass the test, he taught me how to actually drive. I booked to do the test in San Mateo as it is a much less busy DMV than the ones in San Francisco or Daly City. As I live in the city, this meant I got a lot of driving practice on the freeway. Collin was great at teaching me defensive driving techniques so that I felt confident I knew what I was doing.
I was given a lot of extra materials - videos, leaflets, books - to help me study between lessons. This was useful - especially the video - though honestly the main thing is lots of practice!
The other thing I really appreciated with Collin was that he didn't try to nickel and dime me on the time. I always got the full time I paid for and sometimes more (though obviously this is not something you can expect). I felt that he was on my side and could trust him to tell me when I was ready.
I took the test in early January and passed with flying colours. The next weekend I rented a car in San Diego and drove it all weekend without any drama, even in a torrential rainstorm! -
Review from Raisa S.
San Francisco, CA
1/18/2011
My instructor was Collin Huey.
Apparently, this place is under new management. I had a pretty bad experience with this place, still don't understand why the reviews are so outstanding. Collin picked me up at my house to practice driving, we went over the basic rules of the road. Then the driving came along. I've driven a few times before this with my friends and I would have to say my friends were better teachers. I thought it was pretty creepy when he called me and he said he wanted to "get to know me." Just teach me how to drive dude. What do you need to know?
The good:
He let me drive to meet up my friends because I was supposed to hang out with them after my lesson. He was patient.
The bad:
Collin was talking a mile a minute. It was really hard to understand him. He does have a Chinese accent which made things a little harder, but what was really concerning was how fast he talked, what he talked about, and how often he did it. Starting to drive, you have to remember and pay attention to a whole lot of things, I understand that fully, but Collin was making it stressful to drive. He talked way too fast and having to pay attention to the road to a pretty much first time driver was really hard. The check engine light was on in his light gold Camry. That was scary to see! He had toy cars and a disheveled binder filled with manila folders that had streets poorly drawn in pencil. Not that professional I'd say if we're talking on that end of the spectrum.
He also kept TALKING ON THE PHONE AND TRYING TO TELL ME WHERE TO GO AT THE SAME TIME. I had to caps that because that was the most irritating thing of them all. He told me he only answers calls if they're blocked. First off, you shouldn't even be answering calls while you're teaching someone to drive and you're a driving instructor! wth!! Second, his cell phone is his business phone. He had on his bluetooth device and it seemed like every five minutes it was, "Driving school, how may I help you?" SERIOUSLY? and then he'd tell me to make a left turn..
He was also very distracting. That's a no no! Why are you trying to distract first time drivers.. He kept pointing out daily life on the the sidewalk. "There's a jogger over there" Umm okay... well if I'm not about to hit that jogger then.. IDC. He also played music towards the end of our drive. I didn't even want to think about turning on the radio until I'm fully comfortable.
We stopped and he showed me random safety pictures on his iphone. I guess he wanted to utilize it.
To wrap it all up, I'm sure this guy is a nice guy, but I think he needs to learn how to run a business and learn the art of teaching. A lot of unprofessional aspects of this business. It was an unpleasant experience. $120 for 2 hours.Comment from Collin H. of A-Safe Way Driving School 1/21/2011
During the 2 1/2 hours of driving with no breaks we… More » -
Review from Janelle O.
San Francisco, CA
7/30/2011
My instructor was Collin Huey.
He kept everyone entertained.
Offered free snacks to keep everyone awake.
Free water as well as hot water to make tea.
Comfy chairs + reasonable price for Traffic School.
I honestly learned a lot from this school. -
Review from Sam S.
San Francisco, CA
9/6/2007
Can't believe I'm the first to review this place. Which San Francisco teen hasn't gone through Mr. Lee's rigorous curriculum of driving dos and do-nots? I wonder if the guys still alive, standing at the front of a class with his polyester shirt and sweat stain armpits, talking about how if you don't drive slow....."vewy stoopid." He's a damn good teacher and he'll scare your kid straight, especially with multiple showings of Red Asphalt I and II.
A- Safe Way and Mr. Lee, if it weren't for you guys, I'd never respect the rules of the road. -
Review from Ileana S.
11/11/2008
Getting your license is expensive and time-consuming. And if you had to read that sentence again...Yes, I finally got around to obtaining my license at the ripe age of 25, the day before Halloween. :)
After spending $1260 and 21 hours behind the wheel, I am FINALLY a licensed driver. Pan S. Lee, my driving instructor and the owner of the business, took me all over Daly City, a few times we ventured in the streets of San Francisco during rush hour and once out over towards Pacifica. He taught me how to break softly, how to look both ways (and again!) before making my turns, how to make right and left turns (including left turns with oncoming traffic..eek!), how to backup in a straight line, how to master the three-point turn, how to make a u-turn, how to park uphill and downhill, (briefly) how to parallel park, and all other things driving...but I think I've covered it all there.
It was awesome getting to know Pan S. Lee, a person I wouldn't normally talk to based on age and industry. We talked about all things random. He liked to refer to people as either watermelons or pumpkins. He enjoyed getting fast food before my driving lesson so I would hear him eating beside me, his number somethings from Arby's or some other fast food chain. When I finished my drivers license test, I was able to do a drive thru to McDonald's for his lunch. Awesome.
BIG Recommendation: Pay in cash because of the big minus below.
BIG MINUS:
- I wrote all but one of my driving lessons in check form. Pan had decided to cash them in all at once the day of my last driving lesson and they went through the following day. It could be that I am interpreting this all wrong BUT he had mentioned that he had turned them in two weeks ago but they miraculously were put through in one day. I guess that WOULD be fine, except I get paid once a month and the checks all went through on the 31st. And some of these checks were written back in August. -
Review from The Gold Nugget x.
San Francisco, CA
9/25/2008
I've experienced their driving lessons about 5 years ago and
it was not all that rosy.
My driving instructor was an old Asian lady who uses an white Corolla.
It was my 1st time driving. We went down to Sloat Blvd everyone around me was doing 40 to 50 thus I thought driving a little under speed limit was the best thing to do for me at the time. I was doing 35mph. She told me to slow down, because she's never seen any 1st time driving go so fast! It's the law to go under speed limit and with the traffic flow!
Then she tried to teach me U-turns and 3 point turns. I ask her if it was going to be on the test, she said: yes.
It was not. I wasted 1 hour worth of money just learning 2 completely unneeded task.
Then came the small talk. She asked what my family do for a living. I told her my whole family used to work in the air force engineering department. She replied and these were her exact words: "oh, you know working in the military is bad karma" I wish I can just fire her and keep the money for my next session, but sadly I can't. It's prepay.
One Star for Being on Time.Comment from Collin H. of A-Safe Way Driving School 11/3/2009
The lady in the White Corolla was part time and does not… More » -
Review from R O.
San Francisco, CA
3/22/2008
Lily is a nice lady and a very sharp instructor; don't bother lying to her, she knows you didn't check your mirror that time. If you can go 2 hours without her chastising you, you'll have no trouble with the DMV.
The only negative is that the car was a Toyota Corolla (auto), which handled like a marshmellow, but other instructors may have other vehicles. -
Review from lex c.
Oakland, CA
3/13/2009
I got my license 7 years ago at the ripe (or is it rotten?) age of 16. Within a year I shattered my windshield on a mailbox trying to make a stealth getaway after egging someone's house, struck many walls, blew the clutch, and crashed my car twice with the last crash completely totalling the car. Needless to say, I stayed away from cars for a long time, until 2008 when I got the itch to drive again. I still had a valid license, but had developed a fear of driving and had forgotten basic skills.
So, I made an early morning appointment with A-Safe Way back in July to help myself get back on the road. I was so nervous the day of the appointment, and became even more nervous when I saw who my instructor was- an old asian lady who looked about 60, which means she was probably about 10 years older. I mean if that ain't the triple threat of doom, I don't know what is. (Also--I wasn't expecting a BMW or anything too nice to drive, but I don't know what the hell was up with the old crusty ass corolla she arrived in.)
We spent 20 minutes in my driveway. She used a steno pad to 'illustrate' driving situations and a few of her favorite crash stories. I use the term 'illustrate' loosely 'cause what she was producing on the paper looked like a jumble of confetti, Morse Code, and random ass scribbles that made no sense as she frenetically chattered. On the road, she chattered a lot too, but not to me. Her phone rang loudly several times during the drive and she answered every time while tossing out unclear directions to me inbetween. I thought that was rude and unprofessional, and put a strain on what was already a stressful situation.
By the end of the allotted time, I was pretty aggravated and disappointed that I had received such a poor instructor who was more interested in removing crud from her fingernails and flinging it into my airspace than guiding me. The topper is when she turned to me and asked with a hint of condescension if I had enough money to schedule another appointment. Motherfucker, please.
Skip the epic fail of riding around in a marshmallow on wheels with an unintelligible grandma, and spend your money elsewhere (I went to Ann's).Comment from Collin H. of A-Safe Way Driving School 1/30/2010
Our new management focus is to provide the best service to… More » -
Review from Barbara P.
San Francisco, CA
6/3/2010
Fantastic school for your teen to lean to drive. Currently owner Collin Huey is offering a discount on line course. The current special means the class only costs $10. Unbelievable. To enroll in on-line drivers ed, go to http://www.capitoldriv.... Type in Tiger in the promo box to get a $20 discount - total outlay for the course is $10!!!!
I currently have my 2nd teenager enrolled in driving instructions with A-Safe Way Driving School. This school is a SF icon. -
Review from Cat G.
San Francisco, CA
7/9/2009
Would give zero stars if possible.
The instructor (Lily) showed up 20 minutes late, When she finally got to my apartment her car smelled terrible. I was gagging the whole time. Pork potstickers reek.
She then ran through some safety tips, whilst scribbling all over my permit. Does she not have a notepad????
I explained to the instructor that i had NEVER been behind the wheel before. Yet she insisted on bringing me on to 19th Ave. Scary stuff for a first time driver!!!!! She constantly raised her voice at me and was sharp, even rude. Did she not hear me telling her I had never driven before? I was a nervous wreck getting out of the car.
It took me more than 8 months to get back into the driving seat. Anns driving school rocks!!!
If you are a nervous beginner please please please do not call this school. I had the worst experience.Comment from Collin H. of A-Safe Way Driving School 12/22/2009
We are under new ownership and we are focus on providing… More » -
Review from liz c.
Los Angeles, CA
2/25/2008
Wow Sam, Im going to have to hop on the Yelp train. This was the most hysterical time in my life.. Mr Lee is a fool and I dont think its there anymore!!??? All I remember was those ridiculous videos and smoking blunts on breaks with random Sunset kids. Good times
