Safety First Professional Driving School, Inc.

At Safety First Driving School, we hire only exceptional instructors. Every teacher undergoes a thorough background check, including fingerprinting and an FBI review. Beyond state certification, each completes our own rigorous Safety First certification—a custom course built for our instructors. This unified teaching method ensures every student learns the right way. Our instructors also pass our written exam, defensive driving courses, and crash avoidance training. No other driving school in the state provides this level of instructor preparation. And training never stops—our instructors recertify annually and can advance by completing additional courses and earning certifications in new areas. We offer our instructors real careers with strong salaries and benefits—not part-time gigs they don’t care about. Because we invest in them, they’re invested in you. They’re the highest-paid instructors in the state, and it shows in their dedication to every lesson. Safety First Driving School was founded on July 4, 1992, by John and Stephanie Mihalczo. After running two other driving schools in New Jersey, John saw a troubling pattern: the industry was driven by profit, not education. That insight revealed what was missing, and it set the course for a new kind of driving school. We started with one car and quickly earned a reputation for reliable, high-quality instruction. Within a few years, we tripled in size. That growth led to a lasting partnership with DCH Toyota of Brunswick. We exclusively use Toyota vehicles for their top safety ratings, dependability, and service commitment. Our fleet is maintained by DCH Toyota of Brunswick to stay in like-new condition until retirement. And as a trusted partner, DCH Toyota of Brunswick offers special service discounts and a dedicated car-buying program for our customers, with all makes and models available. We also teach the Defensive Driving Classroom Course at DCH Toyota of Brunswick’s conference facility and partner on many community events. This year, together with the local PBA’s D.A.R.E. program, we’re bringing an interactive Drunk Driving Awareness seminar to high schools. It’s a hands-on way to teach teens about the real dangers of impaired driving—while keeping it engaging. Over the years, we’ve grown to serve corporate clients, public and private schools, and defensive driving students across New Jersey. Founders John and Stephanie Mihalczo now serve on the board of the Driving School Association of New Jersey—the organization that establishes industry standards and helps shape laws for new drivers. And we’re building a more interactive website to make learning even easier and more enjoyable. We’re honored to have served our community for all these years. We look forward to teaching you, and we promise to uphold the high standards that built our reputation.