Horizon Driver Education impressed us with their in-depth, skill-specific packages. They go beyond basic lessons by drilling down into things like zone control and space management. 

We love how their advanced package lets you use their car for the DMV road test. It includes an hour of pre-test practice too, which a lot of learners told us helped calm their nerves and build confidence.

We’ve heard several stories of students finally nailing parallel parking after struggling elsewhere.

We also like that they offer a $75 low-income discount for teens. They even have an orientation session that allows parents and students to pick their drive times, keeping everything organized and stress-free. 

What stood out the most, though, was how driving instructors incorporate real-world scenarios—like tips on avoiding tickets and handling unexpected hazards. They also make driving approachable and fun, without any yelling at mistakes. 

That said, their no-pickup policy means you’ll need to get to their location. This adds hassle when you don’t have reliable transportation.

He gave really helpful tips 

“Had a great experience! I took the 6-hour adult driving class bundle, and Mohamed was an awesome instructor. He gave really helpful tips and even let me practice an extra 30 minutes near my test location, which helped me feel more confident. I wasn’t sure I was ready, but his encouragement pushed me to schedule the test right after my last lesson—and I passed! Big thanks to Mohamed for the support and confidence boost. And thanks to Horizon, I finally got my license.”

• Alta Flores, Google Reviews

She always made me feel calm 

“I would recommend Horizon Driver Education to anyone like me who had driving anxiety. Racheal was the best teacher and helped me so much! She always made me feel calm and had so much patience. Very sweet and nice. This place really cares about you and your success of driving on the road! I did my driver test today through ODEC and passed on the first try ☺️ THANK YOU HORIZON!”

• Ja Prea Harris, Google Reviews

Stick Shift Driving Academy zeros in exclusively on manual transmissions. They supply their own car, so you don’t risk grinding gears in yours. 

We love how their Level 2 package, the crowd favorite, dives into upshifting on open roads and parallel parking. Many have gained the confidence to drive all over the world thanks to these instructors. 

For pros in jobs like valeting or mechanics, Level 1 nails low-speed basic driving in just an hour or two. For example, one UPS driver shared that it made shuffling trucks around the lot feel like second nature. 

Building on that, their Level 3 preps newbies for high-horsepower cars by emphasizing pedal finesse and RPM control. We like how they even use a milder car for practice to avoid those accidental lurches that could ding a bumper. 

The only thing is that their lessons can stretch past the 1 to 2-hour lesson time. This can be inconvenient if you have plans after your lesson time. 

Did an incredible job of explaining maneuvers 

“Booked a four hour session with David and it was wonderful. He did a terrific of teaching me how to drive. He was very patient and did an incredible job of explaining maneuvers both vocally and visually. Additionally he gave great advice on shifter and clutch technique use. I would highly recommend David to anyone wanting to learn stick shift. Finally, Joyce did a wonderful job with setting up the appointment time and had excellent communication throughout.”

• Ryan Murphy, Google Reviews

Fantastic stick shift driving lesson 

“I had a fantastic stick shift driving lesson with Mark C. in Oregon City. Mark is a clear, concise and kind teacher and the parking lot was a great location to practice the basic skills. Mark’s experience and teaching ability had me driving up to 50 mph in just a few hours. 5-star experience, worth the price. Thanks, Mark!”

• Nouvelle Mystique, Google Reviews

Pro Drive hooked us in with their real racetrack action at Portland International Raceway. 

We love that their high-performance course pairs you with a personal instructor for lapping sessions. This allows you to sharpen your driving skills like a real racer. 

That said, keep in mind they require you to bring your own car for the high-performance course. Some raised worries about potential track wear on their vehicles, so that’s something to consider if you’re protective of your ride. 

Beyond that, we love how the racing school lets graduates snag an SCCA license after lead-follow laps in a Spec Racer Ford. It comes complete with lap time feedback that turns your sloppy turns into smooth ones. 

What makes Pro Drive even more valuable is how they take race-proven expertise and apply it to everyday safety. Their teen and car control programs use SkidCars to stimulate wet or icy conditions.

A few students were finally able to grasp ABS braking after a few sessions and build confidence for Portland’s wet winters.

The instructors were very good in all aspects

“We took the icy conditions driving class (Car Control Course), and it was superb. The instructors were very good in all aspects if the class, from the classroom instructions to the in-vehicle application. Strongly recommend for everyone!”

• Molly Beard, Google Reviews

Welcoming, supportive, and extremely knowledgeable

“Unique and rewarding program for anyone seeking to improve their driving skills. The entire Pro Drive team is welcoming, supportive, and extremely knowledgeable.”

• CTS, Google Reviews

1st Learn to Drive has an at-home pickup service so you can get started from your doorstep and skip the commute. 

We love that their Driver Ed behind-the-wheel series skips the classroom grind. They give you a free textbook, Oregon driver manual guides, and an at-home practice plan. This is for self-paced learning over 4-6 weeks, so you can fit it into your schedule.

Student drivers told us it was a breath of fresh air. They said by the time they hit the road, they felt totally prepared and less stressed. 

That flexibility is great for self-starters, but the lack of structured classroom time can leave less disciplined teens struggling to keep up with the materials on their own. 

On the other hand, their adult drivers liked that they had four two-hour drives with ODPT-certified instructors in equipped fleet vehicles. This helped many hone their skills in a safe environment. 

We also like the initial safety screening, so everyone is on the same page. Drivers who were rusty on modern defensive driving felt way more prepared to deal with changing traffic rules. 

Literally changed my life

“Not to be dramatic, but Scott literally changed my life. He is THE best teacher ever. He gives the best advice/feedback, will make you feel more comfortable and confident driving, and is overall amazing. I’ve learned so much from him, every lesson I could feel myself becoming more confident in my driving. I have always had a fear of driving and thought I would never be able to drive on the streets, let alone get my license. After our lessons, I’ve been able to confidently drive on highways (you would’ve never caught me on there before) and pass my driver’s test with a 100. I am so incredibly thankful that I chose the Behind the Wheel series and booked with Scott. I hope everyone who’s considering getting driving lessons books with him so you can see how great he is. I will forever be grateful to 1st Learn to Drive and to Scott for being the most amazing teacher, I CANNOT express my gratitude for him enough. 5/5 experience!”

• Rachel, Google Reviews

Never felt unsafe when driving with him

“Scott is a wonderful instructor. I had been procrastinating getting my license for the longest time due to having a lot of anxiety about driving. He instantly put me at ease and was very thorough and helpful. I never felt unsafe when driving with him, and I passed my test after 3 lessons!”

• Rebecca Feldman, Google Reviews

We love I & H Trunk Inc’s focus on providing an awesome driving school for future truckers. Their CDL training program gives you the essential certification for operating heavy vehicles like semis and big rigs. 

We like their rigorous curriculum. It prepares aspiring truckers for safe maneuvering, from pre-trip inspections to highway navigation. For example, students rave about being able to get tons of practice backing up into tight lots. 

Others we talked to also appreciate  I & H Trunk’s guidance through the CDL exam process. Graduates shared with us that the school’s step-by-step support turned their test anxiety into confidence as the day neared. 

The mock exams also help nail parallel parking big rigs under pressure. 

We also love their career placement support. They help all graduates land trucking jobs that offer steady pay. For instance, many have scored gigs with logistics firms, hauling freight from Portland to other states. 

The only thing is, the intensive class schedule demands serious commitment. This can be overwhelming for those juggling a day job. 

Extraordinary experience 

“I have no words to describe this amazing school.  I have had an extraordinary experience as a student, since from the moment you arrive at the office to apply, you are treated with kindness and cordiality, the instructors are exceptional, patient and very professional, especially Sabah and Abdul who were the ones who were directly teaching me.  The cost of the school is affordable compared to other schools.  I & H Truck Inc 🚚 is the best, and I recommend it 💯. I’m very grateful to all of you.”

• aliuska Morales, Google Reviews

Got there Class A license within a month

“Best school in the whole state of Oregon, all my friends and brothers went here and got there Class A license within a month. Ibrahim the instructor really good and friendly guy treats everyone like family. I would recommend everyone to this school and it’s half of what other schools charge.”

• Hassan Abdi, Google Reviews