To be frank, I used Raymond because he was cheap (and the only company that I called). I have driven in South Africa for 13 years and needed to get my license in the USA. We drive on the other side of the road there and the rules are marginally different so I thought it would be worthwhile to have a lesson. First of all, I had a tough time understanding his english. This I didnt think was too much of a problem until I did my actual test. It turned out I had misunderstood some things he had been telling me the whole time and I nearly failed because of this. Second of all, I wanted to use his car for the test as I dont have my own car, he told me it would be $30 an hour but that he expected it to take 2 hours. I had the first appointment of the day and I was literally done in an hour, however he still had the cheek to charge me for 2 hours. When I complained about this he said that it was for a MINIMUM of 2 hours. I passed my test, barely (I nearly failed because I thought he had been telling me to merge halfway into the bike lane, not entirely into the lane, and the examiner marked me down every time for this). I do not recommend this instructor, however. Read Less

I didn't get Raymond as an instructor but I got a Mr. Tan as a driving instructor. My mom found him through a Chinese newspaper and got the rate down to $28 an hour. He told us he spoke English but he really didn't. I had two 2 hour lessons with him and ended up learning very little. After 4 hours behind the wheel with him, I still turned badly and changed lanes badly. Mr. Tan did not care about teaching, he was on his phone for 80% of the time, trying to schedule in the next student. He took 10+minute breaks for both sessions and the student would drive to the next student's house and let the next student drive so it was really only like 100 minutes of driving. I ended up switching driving instructors and I'm glad I did. My new instructor was attentive and only charged $25 an hour. From the reviews, it seems that Raymond is a great instructor, but I would pass on Mr. Tan. Read Less

Thank you so much again Raymond! I was super nervous to do my driver's license here. I passed it in France 9 years ago but it's a lot different here. I drove a little before out of the city but it was great to practice in the city before to do the test. Raymond reminded me all the tips and I felt more comfortable. Raymond is really nice and fun! Don't hesitate, go with Raymond :) Read Less

I called him because of all the good reviews on yelp. He charged $175 for six hrs which was very reasonable. He has good ways of teaching everything and he also explains how to back up in a perfect straight line. He also knows the test routes for the drive test so he has you drive them so you know what to expect on the drive test. I passed the drive test the first time because i drove those routes before. We spoke in cantonese the whole time easier to understand each other his english has a heavy accent I would reccomend him to anybody that needs a driving instructor Read Less

really great instructor, except im horrible hahahe always is drinking tea and coffee, all the times i drove wit him he always made me stop for coffee hahabad part hes sometimes late and he changes the schedule time for my practice a lot...haha and he sometimes calls the wrong person sometimes -_-really great guy and funny Read Less

To be frank, I used Raymond because he was cheap (and the only company that I called).I have driven in South Africa for 13 years and needed to get my license in the USA.  We drive on the other side of the road there and the rules are marginally different so I thought it would be worthwhile to have a lesson.First of all, I had a tough time understanding his english.  This I didnt think was too much of a problem until I did my actual test.  It turned out I had misunderstood some things he had been telling me the whole time and I nearly failed because of this.Second of all, I wanted to use his car for the test as I dont have my own car, he told me it would be $30 an hour but that he expected it to take 2 hours.  I had the first appointment of the day and I was literally done in an hour, however he still had the cheek to charge me for 2 hours.  When I complained about this he said  that it was for a MINIMUM of 2 hours.I passed my test, barely (I nearly failed because I thought he had been telling me to merge halfway into the bike lane, not entirely into the lane, and the examiner marked me down every time for this).  I do not recommend this instructor, however. Read Less

Four years ago, I got my license on my second attempt at the driving test. I immediately started college and thereafter had no reason to drive. Or that was my excuse. The truth? I was a terrible driver and stayed off the road for the sake of society.Now that I've graduated, I have no excuse to skirt driving anymore and feel I should revive this skill. And also because I'm really beginning to loathe the inefficient, tardy tendencies of MUNI.I started researching driving schools on Yelp. There aren't many choices in my ideal price range (~$25), and it was down to A International Driving School and Regent Driving School for me. I called and left messages with both and the former returned my call first. I told Raymond Ma that I already have my license and just wanted a refresher. He said the rate is $30 an hour and set me up for an appointment the next morning at 8am.Raymond rolled in 5 minutes late and picked me up from my house in a well-used car. I was in the driver seat the entire time, and I would say I drove the car, only his hand was on the steering wheel 85% of the time. Maybe I'm really that bad of a driver; maybe he is just a controlling passenger. I would have liked to have more control of the car, because how else am I supposed to know when the car is moving because of my actions or his? He also liberally used his passenger foot pedals. Many times, I felt my pedals move because he was controlling the car from his side.We drove to Lowell and stopped at Stonestown. I thought he was teaching me how to park in a mall parking lot. Nope. He left for 7 minutes to grab breakfast at McDonald's, while I sat in the slightly dusty car. Then we drove around Sunset, practiced parallel parking, reverse driving, and turns, as well as mailed his letters at a sidewalk mailbox.I asked a lot of questions and he was more than happy to answer them, even providing some tips that I haven't heard from my former instructor. Raymond asked me whom my old instructor was, and it turns out that they are friends.Around 9:30am, I drove to his next student's house, picked him up, and then I headed back toward my house, arriving right at 10am. On the way back, he was chatting on the phone with someone who seemed like an old pal about a vacation trip. Another student called and apparently Raymond had overbooked himself at 10am and had to change her appointment.Raymond said he's taught driving for 20-odd years and seems very experienced. He explained his formula for parallel parking and was really helpful. At $30/hour, you really can't go wrong with his driving school. We spoke in mostly Cantonese, although he does know English (understandable, but with an accent). He didn't pry into my life and simply asked about my college and major.Note: When he says "slow down," that means take your foot off the gas pedal. "Rolling" means just letting the car coast. Read Less

Raymond was very good at teaching me to drive and I passed with two minor errors this week - but I wasn't prepared for what happened after the test.  I had already asked him a couple of weeks ago if the amount was going to be different on the test day and he had said that no, it's the same rate - $26 dollars an hour.  I was going to give him a straight $100 anyway, for getting me through -even though I couldn't really afford it,  but as soon as I pulled my purse out he said "that's $110 please", I was shocked and very disappointed.  So be warned.... Read Less

Nothing but five-stars for this instructor.He teaches everyone and ANYONE to drive well. I basically learned all of what I know from this guy.He knows which instructors are hard, he knows the testing routes for both San Francisco and Daly City, and even let me go on the freeway! I failed the driving exam the first time around because the examiner was stupid, but he assured me he would be able to help me pass the second time around and he didn't disappoint. Thanks! Read Less

Raymond is definitely the best! He took me on the test routes multiple times but he always mixed it up a little so I wouldn't get bored.  Very easy-going! Even though, his prices changes sometimes due to the increase of gas back then, he is definitely worth it!I scheduled my test in the San Francisco DMV and passed with flying colors also.  When I told my friends I was taking my test in s.f they were all sure i would fail. I proved them wrong! Read Less

Hi, I passed a driving test today. Raymond is very good instructor. Like another review, he is clear, easy going, convinient, fast, and on time. I was really  impressed that he called me on time, came on time. Also, cost is very resenable. I haven' t driven  a car many years, but after a few  lessons with him, I feel very confortable to drive a car. He really  wants you to pass. I was so happy today. I recomemd him to have driving lessons. If you follow him, you  can pass soon. because I passed after a few lessons. Read Less

Raymon is the owner of this driving school. And I owe it all to him that I have my driver license. He's convenient, fast, on time, and has a great car with good brakes. He took me in for four straight hours and took me to try out San Mateo but I got stuck in Daly City. He's very easygoing, patient, and steered me through the course a couple of times. I got stuck with the strictest DMV testers and passed with flying colors. Because of my happiness at passing the driver's test and getting my license, I bought Raymon a cake and gave him a 50.00 tip. He was that good. Also at 25.00 an hour that is awesome Read Less