Definitely a money making scam, I have been driving with a permit for years passed my written test first try. But when it came time for the driving test I signaled and made sure to stop and be extra c... Read More
Definitely a money making scam, I have been driving with a permit for years passed my written test first try. But when it came time for the driving test I signaled and made sure to stop and be extra cautious at all stop signs and lights. This guy actually had the audacity to tell me i didn't stop long enough after stopping and looking both ways. I would recommend a different testing facility for something like this. You can tell its not about how good of a driver you are when you come in for the test and the instructor is decked out in gold rings and expensive clothing and sunglasses. Truly a waist of time and money and I am certainly appalled. Read Less
Doc's & Simulation
29 Mar 2018
REPORT
Worst experience I've had when it comes to getting a license. I've had a DL in multiple states but had to basically start from scratch because I had been out of country for some time and not originall... Read More
Worst experience I've had when it comes to getting a license. I've had a DL in multiple states but had to basically start from scratch because I had been out of country for some time and not originally from Washington.
Multiple people have confirmed this place will milk you for every dime they can. Even other driving schools have told me this after the fact. One of the questions that they failed me for was apparently the current driving standard is now a hand placement of "9 and 3" as opposed to "10 and 2" which was the standard for many many years. Going with my instinct I selected the "10 and 2" answer and that was wrong. Come to find out that question shouldn't even be on the test according to other driving schools.
Having paid for both the driving test and the written test up front and having failed the written test the company allowed me to leave without giving me the money back for my driving test since I never actually took it. They didn't even call me to let me know. If it had not been for me to realize I left it there 2 weeks later and thank god I still had my receipt they wouldn't of said anything!
I go back to the schools to pick up the money I left and I didn't have time to wait for them to finish with a test for someone. I come back again and "magically", they don't have the key to the money drawer conveniently enough. Finally the 3rd time going back they were able to give me my $30 back.
I will be making reports about this company to the BBB and whatever possible government agency so they can be made aware of these practices since these are just government contracted positions. By far the most unprofessional scam out there. Avoid this place at all costs.
*Edit* I accidentally said $35 instead of $30 that they tried to keep from me and that is the owners justification to call me a liar. Out of everything I said, he chose to correct me on a $5 mistake but says nothing about the scam questions they put on the test. Avoid this place. Call and ask other driving schools. They all say the same thing about this place. Read Less
Larisa Slesarchuk
19 Feb 2018
REPORT
Best customer service EVER!!! Love Bal driving school .. The lady in the office was amazing beyond pleasant and professional was so easy to deal with and the male that did the driving test was so prof... Read More
Best customer service EVER!!! Love Bal driving school .. The lady in the office was amazing beyond pleasant and professional was so easy to deal with and the male that did the driving test was so professional and awesome. Gave amazing driving instructions. Congratulated me and was happy for passing license . Amazing Amazing Amazing place to go to . Thank you Bal 💖💗 Read Less
Christian Amarillas
13 Feb 2018
REPORT
Customer service was amazing! They were so excited to help me, didn’t waste anytime at all. Even provided feedback for me to be a better driver even though I did pass both test! When I called they wer... Read More
Customer service was amazing! They were so excited to help me, didn’t waste anytime at all. Even provided feedback for me to be a better driver even though I did pass both test! When I called they were eager to help and greeted me with a smile. Truly an awesome experience! Thank you! Read Less
Kelsie Marie
2 Dec 2017
REPORT
Bal is a great instructor! I took 5 adult driving lessons from him to help me continue to get my license. He was very professional and patient with me. He was also very nice during my drive test and m... Read More
Bal is a great instructor! I took 5 adult driving lessons from him to help me continue to get my license. He was very professional and patient with me. He was also very nice during my drive test and made me feel comfortable. I was able to get my license in a little over a month with Bal driving school, which has been a long and hard process before singing up for drives with Bal. This is a DOL certified driving school so I believe he is a tough instructor, but that is his job. Also the women who helped me sign up for drives was very kind and understanding of my school and work schedule. Don't listen to the negative reviews, Bal never scammed me out of money, in fact, he even gave me my money back when he realized I paid for a 30 minute practice before my test that I ended up not using. I really enjoyed my time with Bal Driving school and I would recommend to any new driver or adult trying to get their license. Read Less
Sam
6 Jul 2017
REPORT
Horrible place! Worst experience ever! These people are just out to get your monty. Don't ever go here! Not recommended at all!
Savannah Schneider
11 May 2017
REPORT
Being 5'2 means I can be told I can take the drivers test with a booster seat or a pillow. The guy was an ass, and reeked of cologne. Ladies who care about being treated with dignity and respect, go ... Read More
Being 5'2 means I can be told I can take the drivers test with a booster seat or a pillow. The guy was an ass, and reeked of cologne. Ladies who care about being treated with dignity and respect, go somewhere else!! Read Less
Trevor Williamson
13 Apr 2017
REPORT
Some of the negative reviews on here are suspect. The people writing them should prepare more next time and take personal responsibility. I have never driven in downtown Bellingham before, or Washingt... Read More
Some of the negative reviews on here are suspect. The people writing them should prepare more next time and take personal responsibility. I have never driven in downtown Bellingham before, or Washington for that matter, and I made a number of errors. These errors took two failed attempts to notice and correct before I finally passed.
Instructor Bal was professional and calm and always explained exactly what I did wrong, and at what point during the test I did it wrong.
Definitely will recommend to others. Great waiting room with comfy couches too! Read Less
Taylor Bradley
24 Mar 2017
REPORT
The people that work there were very kind and professional. They want to do what they're doing right, according to the rules, and I respect that. They were very patient and even stayed open later than... Read More
The people that work there were very kind and professional. They want to do what they're doing right, according to the rules, and I respect that. They were very patient and even stayed open later than usual for me to take my driving test. Read Less
Jeremy Paul
21 Feb 2017
REPORT
Absolutely terrible service. This guy fails you any way he can. I'm at a loss for words for how belittled I feel after how this man treated me. I am looking into any possible way I can get him reviewe... Read More
Absolutely terrible service. This guy fails you any way he can. I'm at a loss for words for how belittled I feel after how this man treated me. I am looking into any possible way I can get him reviewed. I really want him shut down. If you do choose to go here record your driving test with a dash cam otherwise he will take advantage of you. Read Less
Definitely a money making scam, I have been driving with a permit for years passed my written test first try. But when it came time for the driving test I signaled and made sure to stop and be extra c... Read More
Definitely a money making scam, I have been driving with a permit for years passed my written test first try. But when it came time for the driving test I signaled and made sure to stop and be extra cautious at all stop signs and lights. This guy actually had the audacity to tell me i didn't stop long enough after stopping and looking both ways. I would recommend a different testing facility for something like this. You can tell its not about how good of a driver you are when you come in for the test and the instructor is decked out in gold rings and expensive clothing and sunglasses. Truly a waist of time and money and I am certainly appalled. Read Less
Doc's & Simulation
29 Mar 2018
REPORT
☆☆☆☆☆
REPORT
Worst experience I've had when it comes to getting a license. I've had a DL in multiple states but had to basically start from scratch because I had been out of country for some time and not originall... Read More
Worst experience I've had when it comes to getting a license. I've had a DL in multiple states but had to basically start from scratch because I had been out of country for some time and not originally from Washington.
Multiple people have confirmed this place will milk you for every dime they can. Even other driving schools have told me this after the fact. One of the questions that they failed me for was apparently the current driving standard is now a hand placement of "9 and 3" as opposed to "10 and 2" which was the standard for many many years. Going with my instinct I selected the "10 and 2" answer and that was wrong. Come to find out that question shouldn't even be on the test according to other driving schools.
Having paid for both the driving test and the written test up front and having failed the written test the company allowed me to leave without giving me the money back for my driving test since I never actually took it. They didn't even call me to let me know. If it had not been for me to realize I left it there 2 weeks later and thank god I still had my receipt they wouldn't of said anything!
I go back to the schools to pick up the money I left and I didn't have time to wait for them to finish with a test for someone. I come back again and "magically", they don't have the key to the money drawer conveniently enough. Finally the 3rd time going back they were able to give me my $30 back.
I will be making reports about this company to the BBB and whatever possible government agency so they can be made aware of these practices since these are just government contracted positions. By far the most unprofessional scam out there. Avoid this place at all costs.
*Edit* I accidentally said $35 instead of $30 that they tried to keep from me and that is the owners justification to call me a liar. Out of everything I said, he chose to correct me on a $5 mistake but says nothing about the scam questions they put on the test. Avoid this place. Call and ask other driving schools. They all say the same thing about this place. Read Less
Larisa Slesarchuk
19 Feb 2018
REPORT
☆☆☆☆☆
REPORT
Best customer service EVER!!! Love Bal driving school .. The lady in the office was amazing beyond pleasant and professional was so easy to deal with and the male that did the driving test was so prof... Read More
Best customer service EVER!!! Love Bal driving school .. The lady in the office was amazing beyond pleasant and professional was so easy to deal with and the male that did the driving test was so professional and awesome. Gave amazing driving instructions. Congratulated me and was happy for passing license . Amazing Amazing Amazing place to go to . Thank you Bal 💖💗 Read Less
Christian Amarillas
13 Feb 2018
REPORT
☆☆☆☆☆
REPORT
Customer service was amazing! They were so excited to help me, didn’t waste anytime at all. Even provided feedback for me to be a better driver even though I did pass both test! When I called they wer... Read More
Customer service was amazing! They were so excited to help me, didn’t waste anytime at all. Even provided feedback for me to be a better driver even though I did pass both test! When I called they were eager to help and greeted me with a smile. Truly an awesome experience! Thank you! Read Less
Kelsie Marie
2 Dec 2017
REPORT
☆☆☆☆☆
REPORT
Bal is a great instructor! I took 5 adult driving lessons from him to help me continue to get my license. He was very professional and patient with me. He was also very nice during my drive test and m... Read More
Bal is a great instructor! I took 5 adult driving lessons from him to help me continue to get my license. He was very professional and patient with me. He was also very nice during my drive test and made me feel comfortable. I was able to get my license in a little over a month with Bal driving school, which has been a long and hard process before singing up for drives with Bal. This is a DOL certified driving school so I believe he is a tough instructor, but that is his job. Also the women who helped me sign up for drives was very kind and understanding of my school and work schedule. Don't listen to the negative reviews, Bal never scammed me out of money, in fact, he even gave me my money back when he realized I paid for a 30 minute practice before my test that I ended up not using. I really enjoyed my time with Bal Driving school and I would recommend to any new driver or adult trying to get their license. Read Less
Sam
6 Jul 2017
REPORT
☆☆☆☆☆
REPORT
Horrible place! Worst experience ever! These people are just out to get your monty. Don't ever go here! Not recommended at all!
Savannah Schneider
11 May 2017
REPORT
☆☆☆☆☆
REPORT
Being 5'2 means I can be told I can take the drivers test with a booster seat or a pillow. The guy was an ass, and reeked of cologne. Ladies who care about being treated with dignity and respect, go ... Read More
Being 5'2 means I can be told I can take the drivers test with a booster seat or a pillow. The guy was an ass, and reeked of cologne. Ladies who care about being treated with dignity and respect, go somewhere else!! Read Less
Trevor Williamson
13 Apr 2017
REPORT
☆☆☆☆☆
REPORT
Some of the negative reviews on here are suspect. The people writing them should prepare more next time and take personal responsibility. I have never driven in downtown Bellingham before, or Washingt... Read More
Some of the negative reviews on here are suspect. The people writing them should prepare more next time and take personal responsibility. I have never driven in downtown Bellingham before, or Washington for that matter, and I made a number of errors. These errors took two failed attempts to notice and correct before I finally passed.
Instructor Bal was professional and calm and always explained exactly what I did wrong, and at what point during the test I did it wrong.
Definitely will recommend to others. Great waiting room with comfy couches too! Read Less
Taylor Bradley
24 Mar 2017
REPORT
☆☆☆☆☆
REPORT
The people that work there were very kind and professional. They want to do what they're doing right, according to the rules, and I respect that. They were very patient and even stayed open later than... Read More
The people that work there were very kind and professional. They want to do what they're doing right, according to the rules, and I respect that. They were very patient and even stayed open later than usual for me to take my driving test. Read Less
Jeremy Paul
21 Feb 2017
REPORT
☆☆☆☆☆
REPORT
Absolutely terrible service. This guy fails you any way he can. I'm at a loss for words for how belittled I feel after how this man treated me. I am looking into any possible way I can get him reviewe... Read More
Absolutely terrible service. This guy fails you any way he can. I'm at a loss for words for how belittled I feel after how this man treated me. I am looking into any possible way I can get him reviewed. I really want him shut down. If you do choose to go here record your driving test with a dash cam otherwise he will take advantage of you. Read Less