ABC Driving School

ABC Driving School was founded in 1962 by my father, Richard O’Brien. A Lieutenant with the California Highway Patrol, he saw the devastating aftermath of roadway accidents firsthand and believed that no one was better qualified to teach safe driving. Dad started the school as a part-time effort to support our family while still serving as a patrol officer. My mother, Mary, handled the phones and bookkeeping. From the beginning, his goal was simple: deliver quality instruction at a fair price and treat every person the way you’d want to be treated. In those early days, the state’s six‑hour training requirement didn’t exist, and most public schools offered driver education. But word spread, and ABC Driving School grew. Hiring additional instructors was never easy. Dad looked for people with a genuine passion for teaching. Each candidate completed 60 hours of study, 20 hours of behind‑the‑wheel training approved by California, a background check, fingerprinting, a health physical, and a DMV written and road test before their application was submitted. I still follow that careful hiring process today, though the DMV no longer requires a road test for instructors. I grew up with the school, watching Dad run the business and Mom manage the books, records, and customer scheduling. I loved helping with filing and other small tasks. In 1980, I became a licensed instructor and truly became part of the business. That’s when I understood Dad’s passion — there’s nothing more satisfying than teaching a skill someone will use for a lifetime. Even after years of watching students progress step by step, I still share in their victories. We do a few things differently. We use completely unmarked cars so students experience real-world driving conditions. Every lesson is one‑on‑one — one student, one instructor — which reduces distractions and helps students feel more comfortable. Since my father passed away in 2001, I’ve been running the school. We’ve made thoughtful changes and continued to grow, but our commitment stays the same: excellent service, a fair price, and treating everyone the way we’d like to be treated. I know Dad would be proud. Sincerely, James O’Brien Owner, ABC Driving School