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ABC Driving School

Woodacre, California (CA)

ABC Driving School

Car

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Overview

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

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Locations

Training Programs

4 offered

  • Teen Driver Education

    About the Course Let's face it You want a driver education program that you can "cruise" through, not one that "drives" you crazy! We're serious about safety, but we think driving should be fun! We make sure that, as a new driver, you know the rules of the road and develop defensive driving habits—but we make sure you have a good time learning safe-driving techniques! Our driver education program is simple and convenient. The easy-to-read text is supplemented with informative photos, colorful charts and illustrations, streaming video clips, and interactive activities that thoroughly explain the subject matter and make learning fun. Completing the Program This online driver education course is designed to present 30 hours of instructional material (the state-required minimum). However, the course is broken into manageable, easy-to-digest lessons, and the system remembers your progress if you sign out. Work through the program at your own pace—as quickly or as slowly as you like. The website is available 24/7, and you can complete this online course on your smartphone, tablet, or other Internet-enabled device. A short, multiple-choice quiz follows each chapter, to help you review. Once you've completed the reading material, you'll take a 50-question, multiple-choice exam. But don't worry—you're guaranteed to pass. You only need to score an 80%, and you can take another exam as many times as you need to in order to pass. And once you're done, you can head to the DMV to get your learner's permit and start your behind-the-wheel training!

    $24.95

  • Behind the Wheel Training

    After you have been issued your permit, please call us to schedule your first lesson. At the time of the 1st lesson Payment of $150.00 is required for the 2 hour lesson. (Payments can be made by Check, Money Order, Cash, or Credit Card The instructor will sign your permit, to validate it After the lesson, you may begin practicing with a parent or an adult 25 years or older who has a valid drivers license

    $150

  • Mature Driver Online: This is a no-brainer! California drivers age

    check with your agent for details. ​The course is sure to pay for itself many times over!

    $17.95

  • Booklet Traffic School Course

    Our DMV-licensed traffic violator school (TVS) booklet course is licensed for use statewide. The informative, easy-to-read text is supplemented with helpful charts and interesting photos, and the hilarious cartoons and traffic-related jokes will have you laughing while you learn. Best of all, you can read the booklet anywhere the beach, the backyard, or while traveling on a bus, train, or airplane—just not behind the wheel! Nothing could be easier!

    $26.95

Languages

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