History:
West Point Driving School was founded in 1999, and came under current ownership in 2008.
With the change of ownership, we stopped “piggybacking” lessons so we never have more than one student in the car. We held Instructors to a new standard with an intensive training program. We added our current refund policy. And we allowed parents to ride along. We did these things because they just make sense! We will never be ruled by “industry standard practices”.
We will always be a 5-star school, and there will always be other driving schools with lower prices. We know we’ve set the bar high, and we don’t disappoint. Check our reviews.
About our name “West Point”:
The previous owner was a US Air Force veteran who chose the name “West Point” as a nod of respect to the famous military academy. The current owner is also a veteran who did not change the name, but just in case you’re wondering: No, your instructor won’t be a drill sergeant! Patience is a top priority in our screening and hiring process.
Our Instructors:
People choose West Point to learn lifetime skills from experienced professional drivers! To attract and retain the very best, we start by offering higher pay rates than any other driving school in the area. So when we’re hiring, many apply and few make the grade. Every instructor must have held a license to drive in the USA for at least 15 years. New instructor candidates must exhibit high standards of professionalism, friendliness, extreme patience, and the ability to teach.
Every instructor has been screened with a criminal background check, and has passed a drug test with clean results.
All newly-hired instructors start from a solid foundation as true driving experts — and then we invest heavily in training! Far beyond the DMV’s requirements for instructor’s licenses (a 60-hour course), our instructor training can take a month or more. We won’t release instructors to work with students until they’ve learned our exclusive training techniques, including techniques to recognize and eliminate common student driving errors. They teach defensive driving with a focus on new drivers, and of course they learn our unique brand of customer service!
Each instructor must also spend at least 10 hours driving from the passenger side of the car, including evasive maneuvers! This is unique to West Point; our cars are specially-equipped for it. This exclusive part of our instructor training is one reason our instructors are known for their unmatched ability to remain calm while keeping a car under control — even if the student can’t.
The instructor’s job is simply to give you the best training experience possible. A West Point Instructor is a trainer, coach, and customer service representative. We help you get results. Quickly.
Our Cars:
Cars are our training equipment, and the equipment we choose reflects our high standards. This year we’re using Toyota Corollas and we are migrating to hybrid models, which drive just like any other car. The most important feature of these cars is they’re safe and easy to drive, with minimal blind spots. Also, every driver’s seat adjusts 6 ways (including vertically) with a telescoping steering wheel to accommodate large or small students.
A few things about our vehicles:
- Beyond the legal requirement that our cars have a passenger-side brake and extra mirrors, we’re one of the few schools to also add a passenger-side accelerator pedal. This allows instructors to “fully drive” the car, so we can use training techniques that others simply can’t. (And it makes your first time on the freeway a lot safer!)
- We’ve added video and audio surveillance. One camera records interior video and audio, the other is a dash cam. The owner can remotely retrieve clips at any time. This tool helps establish consistent training, and if there are concerns the owner can personally review what happened.
- Every car has GPS tracking, so office staff can always see where any car is, or has been in the last 30 days, including travel speed. The system also alerts the office of harsh turns, stops, or rapid acceleration, maintenance information, fuel level, voltage, and service engine codes.
- A little detail we find worthwhile: The horns are upgraded. (Because a car that says “HONK” is safer than a car that says “meep”.)
Locations:
Remember, we come to you! As a service area and online business, in recent years it no longer makes sense to maintain a physical storefront. Most instructors take a vehicle home each night, launching from a location near you. Office staff also work from home using secure online software. Our office of record is at the owner’s home in Roseville, which has been inspected and approved by the DMV to meet all criteria for storage and handling of student records. The address below is only for mail.
