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7 Best Private Driving Instructors in Vancouver

We extensively test and research all services we review. Here's why you can trust us.

So you want to learn how to drive, eh? Well, you must’ve at some point considered having your father, brother, or friend teach you but then immediately regretted the idea. 

It’s tempting to have a friend teach you, but professional driving instructors are trained to give thorough lessons. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best private driving instructors in Vancouver.

Vancouver’s Best Private Driving Instructors

The reason why we seek driving lessons from private instructors is so that we can receive personalized attention and guidance. 

That’s why we’ve assessed these instructors based on the criteria below to make sure they’re able to provide high-quality driving lessons.

Reputation: We selected instructors with more than five years of experience as they are likely to have built a strong reputation in the industry.
Variety of Driving Lessons: In this criterion, we take a look at the variety of driving lessons they offer to ensure that students have the opportunity to learn and practice various driving skills and techniques.
Availability
Fleet of Cars: We observe the availability of a diverse fleet of cars, including both manual and automatic transmissions, to cater to the different needs and preferences of students.
Instructors: In this criterion, we assess the number of instructors they have and their qualifications and experience.
Pricing: We included instructors that offer fair pricing and competitive rates for their driving lessons.
Customer Service
Responsiveness: In this criterion, we evaluated how responsive these instructors are to inquiries and requests.
Instructor Feedback: We’ve interviewed previous students of these instructors to gather feedback on their experiences and the quality of lessons they received.

1. Pinnacle Driving Academy (formerly Royal City Driving Academy)

TestInfo
SERVICESBeginner Courses
Refresher Courses
Stick-shift/Manual Car
Class 4 Driving Lessons
Road Test
WEBSITEhttps://www.driving-academy.ca/
ADDRESSNew Westminster:704-1 Renaissance Square, New Westminster, B.C. V3M 0B6
North Vancouver: 501-1500 Fern Street, North Vancouver, B.C., V7J 0E6
CONTACT DETAILSEmail: [email protected]
Phone: 778-322-8894
OPERATING HOURSMonday – Friday: 09:00 AM – 08:00 PM
Availability ★★★★★ 5/5
Range of Services★★★★★ 5/5
Customer Service ★★★★★ 5/5
Facilities★★★★★ 5/5

Pinnacle Driving Academy’s mission is to become one stop hub for all things driving. It prides itself on providing quality instruction based on proven teaching approaches and their effectiveness. 

Pinnacle Driving Academy has been in existence since 2015 under a different name, Royal City Driving Academy. Since 2015, the business has expanded its services and products and has been transforming itself into a multifaceted entity. This growth has prompted the company’s name change to Pinnacle Driving Academy, to better portray the scope of services and products that will be providing.  

The founder, Tijana Miljkovic, with her 20+ years of teaching/coaching expertise has recognized a need for quality instruction and research in the industry.  She has led the company from only providing practical driver training to certifying future driving instructors and educating various public sectors on safe driving.

While most driving schools are founded upon the instructor’s driving abilities, Pinnacle Driving Academy’s cornerstones are effective coaching, driver-centeredness, progress assessment and support, outcome achievement and most importantly building lasting relationships with their customers. 

This kind of approach takes into consideration more than just driving skills and knowledge of an instructor, but it recognizesdistinctiveness of every single student driver. Learners walk away from Pinnacle’s training with more confidence in their own driving abilities than ever before, trusting their own independent driving decisions on the road and assuming all the driver responsibilities that safe driving requires. 

Similarly, Pinnacle believes that more “equipped” driving instructors are, the safer the roads of Vancouver will be. For that reason, the upcoming instructor’s course, Practical Training Program for Driving Instructors, has been meticulously designed to provide a comprehensive hands-on experience for prospective instructors on how to generate more personalised learning opportunities for their own students and effectively guide them in reaching desired driving outcomes. 

Pinnacle is currently developing more driving programs for Vancouverites. This just goes to show the level of commitment they have toward road safety!

This is what their students are raving about: 

“I would 100% recommend…I am now way more confident on the road and I know have the skill to be a safe driver…The lesson plan feels like it’s custom made for me, but also feels like it’s getting me where every driver needs to be…Scheduling lessons was easy and I could also schedule my lesson far in advance…All in all great experience, money well spent…It was the best decision I could have ever made!”

Not only are their clients satisfied, but their employees have a very positive outlook of the company:

I remember when I first met Tijana during my interview, she came across very warm, kind, friendly, caring and professional. She was willing to help accommodate wherever she could. When I started working for Pinnacle, I immediately felt the level of professionalism that I have never experienced before, and the vehicles are extremely clean and organized. The way Pinnacle conducts teaching is so different from other places because it is very thorough and complete. The way instructors are willing to help and inspire students is something worth emulating. They are constantly thinking of ways to improve and make driving a pleasant experience. Coming to work every day has been sheer joy. I have not experienced this at any job before. I can see why students love Pinnacle! L.M.

Pros

  • Seasoned mentors guiding your journey
  • Tailored lessons to fit your busy life
  • A trusted name for exceptional training
  • Reasonable pricing

Cons

  • Busy during peak days

2. Vancouver Driving School

Vancouver Driving School Homepage
TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://www.vancouverdrivingschool.ca/
ADDRESS525 W 8th Ave #628, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1C6, Canada
CONTACT DETAILSPhone: +16048448374

Email : [email protected]

OPERATING HOURSMonday to Friday: 10am to 4pm
CRITERIARATING
Reputation★★★★★ 5/5
Variety of Driving Lessons★★★★★ 5/5
Availability★★★★★ 5/5
• Fleet of Cars★★★★★ 5/5
• Instructors★★★★★ 5/5
Pricing★★★★☆ 4/5
Customer Service★★★★☆ 4/5
• Responsiveness★★★★☆ 4/5
• Instructor Feedback★★★★★ 5/5

Vancouver Driving School’s approach to conducting driving lessons is to design lessons in a way that’s aligned with each student’s learning style, which perhaps is the company’s biggest strength.

We believe this personalized method helps them provide an efficient and effective learning experience for their students.

Private driving instructors at the Vancouver Driving School also have an impressively high passing rate, and they’re all compliant with the driving requirements set by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC).

This means that they’re able to consistently produce successful drivers who meet the standards set by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.

We were also happy to learn that they have packages for beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced drivers. If you’re driving commercial vehicles, they also offer specialized training for that as well.

In addition, we appreciate that they display their rates for each driving package they offer on their website. This is so learners can immediately see the cost and make an informed decision based on their budget.

In the end, the Vancouver Driving School is a pretty solid choice if you’re looking for comprehensive and customizable driving lessons.

Pros

  • Personalized driving lessons
  • ICBC Compliant
  • Packages for all skill levels

Cons

  • Rates don’t include 5% GST

Customer Reviews

Great teachers

“I highly recommend this school for beginners who are anxious about driving! I had 14 lessons with Shafi, and he’s an incredible teacher…”

-Olivia H.

Kind and patient instructors

“I had an amazing experience at this driving school, all thanks to the incredible instructor, Shah! His kindness and patience was unmatched…”

-Yuliia M.

2. Kruzee

TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://kruzee.com/driving-school/british-columbia-vancouver/
ADDRESSStudents will be picked up from their homes
CONTACT DETAILSPhone: +1-866-245-3103

Email : [email protected]

OPERATING HOURSMon-Fri: 9AM-6PM
CRITERIARATING
Reputation★★★★★ 5/5
Variety of Driving Lessons★★★★★ 5/5
Availability★★★★★ 5/5
• Fleet of Cars★★★★★ 5/5
• Instructors★★★★★ 5/5
Pricing★★★★☆ 4/5
Customer Service★★★★★ 5/5
• Responsiveness★★★★★ 5/5
• Instructor Feedback★★★★★ 5/5

Kruzee, a trailblazer in the Canadian driving education landscape, has taken a bold step towards modernizing and digitizing the learning experience for new drivers. Operating as a fully online platform, Kruzee focuses on providing hassle-free scheduling, top-rated instructors, and free home pickup and drop-off services, creating a convenient and accessible avenue for learners to acquire essential driving skills. 

With a 98% satisfaction rate, 85% road test pass rate, and over 50,000 lessons delivered in 2023, Kruzee showcases its effectiveness in providing a positive and successful learning journey for its students.

Furthermore, Kruzee prides itself on employing top-rated instructors who are not only fully certified and trained but also deeply committed to the success of their students. The instructors are masters of their craft, providing a high standard of teaching.

As Kruzee operates in Vancouver, learners outside this area may not have access to its services. This geographic limitation restricts the reach of the platform.

Overall, Kruzee emerges as a driving education pioneer, embracing a digital-first approach to make learning to drive convenient, interactive, and effective. The platform’s commitment to top-rated instructors, free home pickup, transparent pricing, and a focus on road safety positions it as a leader in the industry. 

Pros

  • Transparent and Flexible Pricing
  • Free Home Pickup and Drop-Off
  • Top-Rated Instructors Employed
  • Comprehensive Courses and Services

Cons

  • Geographic Limitations May Occur

Customer Reviews

Here are some reviews from their clients:

“As a new mom, I needed a driving school that could quickly accommodate scheduling changes. I chose Kruzee based on their intuitive and straight forward UI for booking and cancelling lessons. My instructor Abdelkader was an extremely professional, patient, and highly informative instructor. He broke down every maneuver in a clear and concise manner (finally nailed those blind spot checks!). His measured and steadfast approach gave me the confidence that I needed to pass my exam. I would highly recommend Kruzee to future and new drivers!”

“I can’t recommend Kruzee enough! I initially went through another driving school, and the ease of booking with Kruzee is a total game changer! No more odd calls or texts trying to schedule and coordinate lessons. The entire team is also very responsive and friendly. I really enjoyed working with Ivan. He is incredibly patient and calm, and gives very helpful advice. Truly a great instructor overall, don’t hesitate!”

3. Atlas Driving School

TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://atlasdrivingschool.ca/
ADDRESS863 W 16th Ave, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1S9, Canada
SOCIAL MEDIAFacebook

Instagram

CONTACT DETAILSPhone: +1 604-537-3525
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Friday: 9am to 5:30pm

Saturday and Sunday: 10:30am to 4:30pm

CRITERIARATING
Reputation★★★★☆ 4/5
Variety of Driving Lessons★★★★★ 5/5
Availability★★★★☆ 4/5
• Fleet of Cars★★★★★ 5/5
• Instructors★★★★☆ 4/5
Pricing★★★★★ 5/5
Customer Service★★★★★ 5/5
• Responsiveness★★★★★ 5/5
• Instructor Feedback★★★★★ 5/5

Back in 2002, it all began with Atlas Driving School, and it was just Keyvan Keshavarzi running the show. But you know how things go—over time, they’ve grown into a great team of seventeen skilled driving professionals.

Their main focus is on serving the Lower Mainland region, which covers a good chunk of places like Downtown Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, North Vancouver, West Vancouver, Langley, and more.

What’s really neat about them is that, despite having a small team, each member is incredibly talented in multiple languages, including English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Turkish, and Hindi, to name a few.

We think that their diverse language skills really set them apart and make them an invaluable resource for the multicultural communities they serve.

Private driving instructors here are equipped with a professional driver training instructor license and to add to that, the company is also licensed by ICBC.

We were also surprised (but happy) to know that they offer private driving lessons for $99 per one-hour lesson, which includes pick-up and drop off. They’ve also got classes for manual, automatic, restricted, and unrestricted class 4.

They’re also pretty flexible around scheduling, so there’s no need to worry about conflicting schedules. All these factors make them one of the best private driving instructors in Vancouver.

Pros

  • Multilingual instructors
  • Private driving lessons start at $99

Cons

  • Small team

Customer Reviews

Extremely through during driving lessons

“Andy was my instructor, and he was extremely thorough throughout the lessons. He not only wanted you to learn safe driving techniques, but he also put in extra time for the road test to ensure you passed…”

-David S.

Fantastic instructors

“Passed my road test on the first attempt thanks to Atlas Driving School! I’m very happy I went with this program – my instructor, Irem, was fantastic!.”

-Timothy T.

4. SenSen Driving School

TestInfo
WEBSITEhttp://www.sensendrivingschool.com/
ADDRESS1231 Pacific Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6B 5Z5, Canada
SOCIAL MEDIAFacebook
CONTACT DETAILSPhone: +1 778-861-3419
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Friday: 8am to 8pm

Saturday: 8am to 6pm

Sunday: 8am to 4pm

CRITERIARATING
Reputation★★★★★ 5/5
Variety of Driving Lessons★★★★☆ 4/5
Availability★★★★☆ 4/5
• Fleet of Cars★★★★★ 5/5
• Instructors★★★★☆ 4/5
Pricing★★★★★ 5/5
Customer Service★★★★★ 5/5
• Responsiveness★★★★★ 5/5
• Instructor Feedback★★★★★ 5/5

Alex Sen, the owner of SenSen Driving School, has a remarkable background in driving, with over 18 years of experience under his belt. It’s worth mentioning that he also successfully completed the ICBC driving instructor training course.

Here, you’ll be driving a 2021 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE model with a backup camera and a dual-steering wheel, which allows Alex to take control of the vehicle if necessary.

We think this is a big relief to know, especially for new learners who may feel more confident knowing that they have an experienced instructor who can step in if needed.

On top of everything else, Alex has his own YouTube channel, which we think is pretty cool and convenient. There, he dives into detailed driving lessons that customers can watch at their own pace.

Overall, we’re happy with what we’ve seen as far as lessons go. Despite being a one-man team, we think SenSen Driving School’s strength lies in the personalized attention and support that Alex provides to his students.

In fact, many of his students that we got a chance to talk to highlighted Alex’s sense of humor and patience, which create a comfortable and enjoyable learning environment.

Pros

  • Free pick-up and drop-off 
  • Instructor provides driving lessons on Youtube

Cons

  • Only has one driving instructor

Customer Reviews

Patient and reassuring instructors

“Totally loved my experience with Donald! He is by far the best instructor anyone could ask for. He was patient, and reassured me that it would all be alright…”

-Keziah M.

Highly-recommended to anyone

“Took multiple 90 minute lessons with Daniel and I can recommend him to anyone! He was always two steps ahead of any mistakes I’d make which was always reassuring…”

-Eric Y.

5. New Day Driving School

TestInfo
WEBSITEhttp://newdaydrivingschool.com/
ADDRESS417 Great Northern Way #502, Vancouver, BC V5T 0G7, Canada
SOCIAL MEDIAFacebook
CONTACT DETAILSPhone: +1 604-788-6978
OPERATING HOURSBy appointment
CRITERIARATING
Reputation★★★★★ 5/5
Variety of Driving Lessons★★★★☆ 4/5
Availability★★★★☆ 4/5
• Fleet of Cars★★★★☆ 4/5
• Instructors★★★★★ 5/5
Pricing★★★★★ 5/5
Customer Service★★★★★ 5/5
• Responsiveness★★★★★ 5/5
• Instructor Feedback★★★★★ 5/5

Perry Lamarche, the director of New Day Driving School, places a lot of emphasis on Class 7 and Class 5 road tests. Perry has conducted over 15,000 road tests during his previous role as a driver examiner with ICBC, which we thought was impressive.

Perry has a unique teaching approach that we find quite fascinating. Instead of traditional classroom lectures, he believes in learning where it matters most—on the road.

But don’t get us wrong; here at the New Day Driving School, they also offer driving lessons for absolute beginners, novice drivers, and specialized lessons for those new to BC.

Moreover, Perry has taught a lot of students from different countries, including those from Europe, Asia, America, and Africa. We believe that this has allowed him to develop a teaching style that’s adaptable for learners from various backgrounds.

One small disappointment we came across was that Perry can only help with road tests in Point Grey. Nevertheless, it’s worth mentioning that his car is equipped with dual steering and braking and is sanitized before each student.
All in all, we think the New Day Driving School has one of the best private driving instructors in Vancouver.

Pros

  • Instructor has conducted over 15,000 road tests
  • Unique teaching style

Cons

  • Only assists with Point Grey road tests

Customer Reviews

Kind, patient, and supportive

“Perry is truly the best instructor ever – he is so kind, patient and supportive and he never makes you feel like giving up even if you’ve had off days during your lessons…”

-Shaiza H.

Very experienced and kind

“Perry is very experienced, kind, and incredibly helpful in both the advice and preparation he gave for my road exam. I highly recommend him…”

-Lukas O.

6. Fraser Driving School

TestInfo
WEBSITEhttps://fraserdrivingschool.com/
ADDRESS2740 Commercial Dr, Vancouver, BC V5N 5P4, Canada
SOCIAL MEDIAFacebook
CONTACT DETAILSPhone: +1 604-454-9337
OPERATING HOURSMonday to Friday: 9:30am to 5:30pm
CRITERIARATING
Reputation★★★★☆ 4/5
Variety of Driving Lessons★★★★★ 5/5
Availability★★★★★ 5/5
• Fleet of Cars★★★★★ 5/5
• Instructors★★★★★ 5/5
Pricing★★★★★ 5/5
Customer Service★★★★☆ 4/5
• Responsiveness★★★★☆ 4/5
• Instructor Feedback★★★★★ 5/5

Fraser Driving School has honed defensive and safe drivers for 28 years in BC. According to Three Best Rated, they’ve consistently ranked among the top three driving schools in Vancouver for three years running. 

On top of their regular driving lessons, the private driving instructors at Fraser Driving School provide an additional service—the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP).

This program is perfect for new drivers, as it allows them to gain valuable training and experience before obtaining full driving privileges. This class includes a 16-hour classroom lesson, 12 hours of in-car classes, and 4 hours of driving lessons.

We liked that they could consider using your own car for taking driving lessons, as we feel that it allows for a more comfortable and familiar learning environment.

But if you’d like to practice using a different vehicle, the Fraser Driving School has an impressive fleet, but if we’re being honest, we were a bit disappointed to learn that they only have automatic cars.

Nevertheless, we were happy with the feedback we got from their previous students as they highlighted how friendly and patient their driving instructors were.

On a whole, we believe the Fraser Driving School has one of the best private driving instructors in Vancouver , making it a great choice for new drivers looking to take the GLP.

Pros

  • Ranked as one of the top three driving schools in Vancouver
  • Offers the Graduated Licensing Program

Cons

  • Automatic cars only

Customer Reviews

Pleasure to take classes with

“I’m really happy with my experience. My instructor Samai was a pleasure to take classes with. She is patient and helped me a lot to pass my road test…”

-Paulina B.

Professional and effective

“Fraser Driving School is highly recommended for professional and effective driving instruction! Vincent, who was my instructor, did an outstanding job…”

-Andrii K.

FAQs about Private Driving Instructors in Vancouver


There you have it. Now you know where to find a reliable driving instructor to help you pass that driver’s test! 

Driving is one of the best perks of being an adult, and there’s actually more.If you’re curious, read our article on things to do when you turn 18 in Vancouver.

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