TLDR: Colin is a fantastic driving instructor; I passed my test; I learned to be a better driver; blablabla...ok, now for an abridged version of my personal story along with unimportant details, because anecdotes are more memorable. My DMV appointment was scheduled for 1:00 pm. (So, I had to be at the DMV at ~12:40 pm.) *queue suspenseful reality TV show music* But my driving lessons started at ~10:40 AM, which meant I had only 2 hours of driving lessons before I was dropped off at the DMV. Will I pass this time, or will I be met with disappointment and failure yet again? DUN DUN DUN! 1. Colin's car's back seats are filled with boxes of mini-signs, binders of instructions, and small toy cars which he runs across the pages of the binders to illustrate different driving situations. He gets a good idea of how much you know, and he gets through that stuff pretty quickly; and then explains in more depth the things that may confuse you. In the rare event that you don't understand it the first time around, simply ask him to explain it again, if he doesn't already notice that you didn't get it. 2. He is very patient, but he is also persistent at helping you get things right. He's not annoyed when you make a mistake, but he helps you feel annoyed by your own mistakes such that you avoid them. E.g. even after he told me to keep checking all the directions when approaching intersections, I kept passing intersections without looking; and he would make "ERRRRR" (a red-error-button-noise-ish-sound) when I did that. It's not annoying, but it reminds you to perform better and notice your mistakes. He taps into the video-game spirit of an intense, burning desire to complete a level perfectly. 3. He helps with the technicalities of passing a driving test, which is really a "performance" in some ways; but he also provides very practical tips which are essential for driving beyond the test. What's especially nice is that he gives specifics. A lot of aspects of driving test preparation have things like "check traffic and be safe and drive good and be cool and stuff." I mean, really vague, unhelpful statements. He gives very specific and memorable ways to help you drive correctly. (For me, mainly in the areas of proper mirror and seating position, backing up, checking mirrors correctly, approaching intersections, merging into bike lanes and center turn lanes, and right and left turns...etc. You get the point.) He addresses with frankness the rigidity of driving test scoring methods, which he knows inside and out, while at once instilling respect for the finer rules of safe driving. Often a seeming contradiction, a paradox of sorts... It's hard to find the right word to describe his attitude. Laid-back, chill? Yes, but also almost...like, passionate?? He's serious about helping you learn to drive correctly and know your material, but he's humorous and relaxed. He almost seems amused, like it's a funny hobby of his that he really enjoys. But he really is great at teaching and knows his stuff well. This driving instructor is the awesome-professor-type that uses jokes, props, and mnemonics to make you remember the absolutely boring-est facts and formulas. So, combine the adventurous spirit of a little kid playing with toy cars and the traffic-rule expertise of a DMV-demigod with an excellence at conveying both the attitude and skill to the student. There are many fun and specific examples I could mention that demonstrate this, but I suppose you'll have to be curious and find out for yourself. (Oh, and I passed this time around. Muahaha!) The End Read Less

Took classes from Capitol city driving school & passed my behind the wheel test on my first attempt. As a first time car driver in US & with little to no car driving knowledge, more than passing the test, the 8 hours of classes / practice ensured I got the basics of safe driving right. The instructor provides direct actionable no-nonsense feedback which was very useful in my progress. Worth the fee & would highly recommend ! Read Less

Colin is an awesome instructor. He is very patient while teaching and does not get irritated at your mistakes. Has very clear communication skills and one does not have to strain to understand him. This makes it a lot easier to learn the rules of the road. His teaching is of the highest quality and provides maximum value for your money. He also provides a lot of useful resources to learn the road rules. Some of the driving schools do not provide these resources and u end up taking more driving sessions.He knows the places around the DMV area very well and makes u aware of tricky spots where its easy to make mistake. He is a selfless person with a big heart. He sometimes goes out of the way to help his students. He made me drive around the DMV for 1.5 hrs before the test. This made me familiar with the places around the DMV and giving the test was just a formality.Look no further than Capitol Driving School. Read Less

Colin is an awesome driving instructor. He has an amazing sense of responsibility towards the candidate he is guiding. i felt really comfortable with my driving skills post this class and cleared my behind the wheel test with confidence. I highly recommend Capitol City Driving School and Colin. Read Less

Colin Huey - You are an awesome trainer. The car was a mess (sorry) but knowledge and teaching were class apart. He is very thorough with driving rules and guides you well. I took 2 hr lesson before the actual behind the wheel test and I am glad I did. He was able to correct several mistakes in my driving style. I would recommend anyone preparing for test to take lesson from him. Read Less

Lessons are extremely affordable compared to other driving schools which ask for $200+ per 1 hour lesson. Colin was my instructor and he was awesome. He got me totally ready for the behind the wheel test. When it came to taking the test, I felt very comfortable and confident and i only got 2 markups overall. I would definitely recommend CCDS to anyone who is  getting ready for the test or just simply want to be a better driver. Thank you Colin for getting me prepared and being super cool and patient whenever i would make mistakes! Read Less

Didn't have a good experience. The website had a few typos. Not only that, but took a few months to receive my drivers ed certificate! After a month, I called to tell them I didn't receive. They said I wasn't patient and should just wait. Uhm.. I'm sorry that I'm worried about my certificate? I mean, I do need it for my permit...after a month, I called again and he was really rude also! After 3 months, I finally received. Makes me question if he did send it early as he said since I live only a few minutes away from this company.... Read Less

I got my permit during Spring Break of last year when I was still a senior in high school. I did practice driving with my mom over the summer, but those always ended up disastrous with negative feelings afterward, and I went off to college still scared shitless of driving (and still awful at it, too) with just a permit. When I came back from college for Winter Break, I realized I needed to pass my driving test and get my license in two weeks or else I would have to take the written test again and wait for hours at the dreaded DMV.So I called Capitol City Driving School and within five minutes, got an appointment for a two hour driving lesson, and all I had to do was call, be free, and sit at home until the instructor came to my house. Two hours lessons were $110 each, and I took three of them. They were super helpful and each lesson ended with me getting out of the car feeling a lot more confident about my driving than before. Colin, my instructor, is super chill to talk to about the most random things (like where to get good Shanghainese food) and he makes every lesson enjoyable. He's also really observant of every move you make on the road, and he'll tell you every error you make and have you try things again to make sure you don't make mistakes again. He knows the driving test very well and will have you watch a lot of YouTube videos about safe driving and what to expect on the test so you'll feel more confident when it comes your time. He also had me take home a lot of driving CDs and pamphlets which were pretty helpful for when you want to drive outside of your lessons, and he let my mom sit in on one of the lessons so she'd know how to guide me around when I'm driving with her. Bubba G.'s review is super accurate in that yes, haha Colin does act a little peculiar at times which I think is pretty awesome. He has all these funky terms for some driving things like creep and peep that I find saying to myself when I'm driving now. The night before my driving test (which I passed on the first go!), he even emailed me, "go to sleep! No sleepy no passy!". And he always offers to buy hot dogs for you, too. Colin took me to my driving test and guided me through everything. He even had me drive around the DMV (as usual) before the test for two hours just to make sure I was comfortable. And I'm pretty sure it helped me a lot because sure enough, I passed. I'm feeling good about my driving now and I'm no longer the scared shitless girl who dreaded going near the driver's seat. I highly recommend these classes! Read Less

I took the adult driving lessons there.  Both Collin and Ken are good, they're willing to teach experienced driver, pointing out my mistakes and things the examiner will look for and what I need to pay attention to during the test.  They show me the potential pitfalls of the test route.  They also give me some driving materials, YouTube clip info and a map of the test route.  I don't have other driving schools to compare with, but I think they are helpful and my overall experience with them is positive. Read Less

Great, great school because not only did Collin sufficiently prepare me for the drive test he was super supportive and patient. Worth every single dollar and literally you will not find anyone as supportive and helpful as Collin. I learned how to drive defensively and to also handle a car thoroughly and I feel as though I'm super prepared to be driving in San Francisco.Also, I passed my driving test with only four errors! Thank you Capitol City Driving School. Read Less

Whenever I got a ticket (and I got several), I went to Capitol. I went to Capitol way back when it was at the Glenmoor shopping center. And more recently I went there when it had moved to Thorton Ave. At first, I thought it was a little unusual when I paid Colin with a check and he put it into his fanny pack. I thought, "Is he scamming the system and pocketing the money?" Well, it turns out that Colin is just being Colin and he acts a little peculiar at times. Nothing exciting about driving school. It just gives you a day to think about why you were speeding and how you never want to speed again. You leave the class thinking that you are FREE and reborn. Just don't speed out of the parking lot. Read Less

Capitol City Driving School, the right school to call!Taking their wonderful online courses, finishing all the tests, and getting the certificate of driver ED-- all in four days. Isn't that beautiful?Thank you, Collin! Read Less

Did my online driver's ed here.Neat trick - if you fiddle with the numbers in the URL, you should be able to skip to the quiz ;)Material itself was pretty boring, but honestly how interesting can you make driver's ed? Read Less

The following is a review I have already posted on yp.com I'd like to add to my previous review that my main instructor Collin was extremely patient even though I was nervous. He also gave me extra reading material and clips on Youtube to watch. Collin was also so kind as to practice driving with me and reassure my confidence before my driving test. "I am thoroughly satisfied with my experience with Capitol City Driving School. I am very glad to have completed my driving lessons with Capitol City Driving School and becoming competent and ready to handle any situation on the road. I have had experience with two amiable driving instructors of this school; they gave me instructions and tips that made learning how to drive not only efficient, but also enjoyable. In addition to the hands on learning inside the car, I also received a lot of instructional dvds and pamphlets, which were a nice supplement. But most importantly, I found the instructors highly caring of their student's progress and confidence level; something I believe is highly unique to Capitol City Driving School.I would definitely recommend Capitol City Driving School for those who are just starting to learn how to drive or for those who feel that their driving skills can be refined or need improvements. During a time when driving is not an option but a necessity, a good driving foundation through instruction is very important. I believe Capitol City Driving School is unmatched in their excellent quality and service." Read Less

I am thoroughly satisfied with my experience with Capitol City Driving School. I am very glad to have completed my driving lessons with Capitol City Driving School and becoming competent and ready to handle any situation on the road. I have had experience with two amiable driving instructors of this school; they gave me instructions and tips that made learning how to drive not only efficient, but also enjoyable. In addition to the hands on learning inside the car, I also received a lot of instructional dvds and pamphlets, which were a nice supplement. But most importantly, I found the instructors highly caring of their student's progress and confidence level; something I believe is highly unique to Capitol City Driving School. I would definitely recommend Capitol City Driving School for those who are just starting to learn how to drive or for those who feel that their driving skills can be refined or need improvements. During a time when driving is not an option but a necessity, a good driving foundation through instruction is very important. I believe Capitol City Driving School is unmatched in their excellent quality and service. Read Less

I'm sorry to have to leave a negative review of this local place, but unfortunately we have not had a good experience.  We were not overly impressed with the online class but the real problem  has been getting the completion certificate.Like a previous reviewer, it did not arrive through mail after more than a week so we called, had to leave a message.  Our phone call was not returned.  Another week went buy so we stopped in during office hours.  The people there were not able to do anything other than tell me to e-mail  Colin that night.  Why even have office hours if you aren't able to provide in person service?  Luckily we do not live that far away.   My son STILL does not have his certificate, meanwhile time is ticking away....I'm starting to think we would be better off signing up for a second online course through a different school,  taking the course again would be faster and less work (and possibly less expensive if you count mileage getting to and from the school after not being able to get a response by phone only to find out they can't help you in person anyway)  than getting the certificate from this school!My oldest son also used this school for his 6 hours driver training and we were not overly impressed that time either, including that he had trouble getting his completion certificate (though not as much trouble as we are this time!)  I honestly am not sure how much he got out of the intruction time.  One time he complained that the instructor was insisting that he neede to keep his hands only thumbs length apart on the wheel, which is WRONG.  I put up with it because as far as I could tell, it wasn't much better or worse than other schools out there and it is probably hit and miss with the individual teachers (and we personally were also instructing him ourselves so we could be sure he had learned what he needed to), but this inability to get a certificate this time around is the final straw,  we will be going elsewhere for the driver training.To be fair, the in person classes might be good....maybe that is Colin's strength, he does seem to be a character.  But we were told they are hardley ever offered now and that people can take the course online so we would have had to wait for weeks to months to see if a class formed.  How frequently they offer them might change over time, so it might be wroth checking in to that, but I cannot recommend them based on the online course and horrible office experiences.Sorry. Read Less

Online driver's ed here is a pain. The boring animations, the BEST part of the course, barely worked. I got so bored of driver's ed, I stopped for months before finishing my course. After completing driver's ed, you are supposed to receive a blue slip in the mail to confirm your driver's education. The website said it would take about one week before I receive the slip. I waited two extra weeks before finally emailing them. They told me they'd resend it. I waited another week before emailing again. They said they'd resend it and I should call to check in. I called, left a message with my name and number, and never got called back. I then called the owner, Collin Huey, who told me to call the office and remind them to send it. I shouldn't HAVE to call anyone if they had just sent my slip in the first place. So I call their Fremont office and they finally pick up. They ask if I want them to resend it or pick it up. Even though I live twenty minutes away, picking up the slip was obviously the better choice. I agree with TT T. This school deserves a zero. Read Less

Just about everyone in Fremont in this 2nd generation has learned to drive here. Extreme vague statements aside, this is truly one great driving school taught by one of the more peculiar individuals in driving education. Colin Huey. When I attended the week long session over 5 years ago, (I hear it is exactly the same), Colin Huey made the experience fun and enjoyable in so many ways, in which I will have to list. -Passes out food and candy, and gives ample breaks-Uses memorable examples such as dolls thrown across rooms, toy cars velcroed to white boards, detatchable steering wheels, and comical hats. -Sells $1.00 hats sourced from Hong Kong embroidered with such phrases as "GHETTO, OH SHIT, Fake Addidas hats, and knock off high school emblem hats"-"You don't pay attention? Ok, fine, I don't care, I take your money, you don't pass, and I go on vacation. You hear me? You don't get to drive and I go on vacation!"-Red Asphalt Video -He bought me a McDonalds Apple Pie during my 3rd driving session. Breakdown: $300, drivers ed over 1 week, 3 sessions of driving instruction. Age requirement 15.5 yrs of age. The drivers training session consists of three sessions in a 90's era corolla or civic (with passenger side brake pedal). Sessions begin with the student being picked up at their house, and taking over the wheel from there on. They will subsequently drive the previous student (sitting in the back) home, and continue with their instruction until they pick up the next student.Summary: hilarious, and highly engaging educator, good deal, and a majority of students pass this permits from what I hear. Colin if you are reading this, thank you for the pie. Read Less

Well, it's not like I have anything to compare this school to, since I only took driver's ed and driver's training once... the experience isn't that boring cuz colin huey (the owner) makes it as enjoyable as it can get. He passes food around and he gives breaks. Free food, and allowed me to pass my permit test the first time around with flying colors. Read Less