I did both my knowledge and skills test here. This place is hands down the best testing company/facility in all of the Greater Seattle Area! I'm confident that these other reviews leaving bad ratings ... Read More
I did both my knowledge and skills test here. This place is hands down the best testing company/facility in all of the Greater Seattle Area! I'm confident that these other reviews leaving bad ratings for this specific location have no idea what "good service" means, or failed to study properly and are blaming this location for not being "easy enough" for them to pass with. I did a lot of research before deciding to come here, and I'm really glad I chose this place.I've had 8 years of driving experience, but since I've got a license from Ontario, I had to do the written and driving skills tests all over again to be licensed in WA. This facility accommodates same-day knowledge tests, and early morning skills test bookings; I booked skills test for 7am on a Saturday, and was done before 8am (usually would take the full hour)! I bought the package that had the 40 minute "warm up" before the test started; I believe the cost was $90. The knowledge test was a separate $20, both prices of which are reasonable, given the quality of service and the test vehicle they let you use (especially because this is also a driving school).This review is going to be 5 parts: the website, the written test, the company/facility, the skills test/examiner, and the car provided. There will be an "overall" rating, as well as a "value for money" rating, since a lot of folks don't tend to talk about these pieces either.Website: 9/10; There wasn't much wrong with the website, outside of the form needing a "parent/guardian", despite the fact that I'm 25 (I trolled the website and got a funny response from the person at the facility). The major thing I disliked about it was being unable to know whether or not I'd get to rewrite the test if I failed it right away, although booking the written test itself was quick and easy. A great part of this experience was that the school called me that morning saying I could come in anytime that day to get tested, since they'd already processed my payment and my registration for testing (there's no specific time you need to go in).Written test: 9/10. The cool part about this place is that if you fail it, you can do it again the same day. It's multiple choice, just like every other place that tests, but it seems that this place has different "types" of tests, which have very fast answer key matches to tell whether or not someone failed. I personally did badly on the bike questions, but I don't ride a bike (I don't know how), and I probably will not for the foreseeable future.Company/Facility: 10/10. This place was awesome - the area to write written tests was spotless, but somewhat bland. There's a "classroom" in the back area where the driving school takes place - there were kids coming in to attend the 1pm class as I was leaving. The 911 Driving School cars are parked together behind the facility - this is where either your driving school lessons or your driving skills test (using their car) take place.Skills test/examiner/instructor: 10/10. Kathy was my examiner; she was incredibly personable, and the entire time we were in the car (from the warm-up to the exam), she was extremely professional and helpful, telling me what I could improve on for various techniques, and giving me refreshers for techniques that would be tested that I had forgotten. She had some entertaining stories about her life outside of being an instructor, which I found to be great, because the driving examiners I've had in the past felt drone-like and impersonal. I didn't even know the hour was up by the time the test was over - that's how comfortable I was during this entire test (and I have chronic test anxiety performance issues).Car: 10/10. It's a pretty standard testing / driving school vehicle, decked out with the 911 Driving School logo on the outside. The car handles nicely, has a good set of brakes, and is very generic in terms of the overall driving experience (which is important - you need to have the most "normal" experience learning how to drive with this car, or at least warming up on it if you're testing with it - "quirks" like a weird turning angle or engine issues where the car won't accelerate naturally are terrible and should not be in cars used to test or learn basic driving skill).Overall: 10/10; Value for money: 10/10. I am glad to have taken the 40 minute warm-up option, as I was able to practice critical techniques that would be tested afterwards, such as hill parking, parallel parking, and backwards driving around a corner (all of which I had become rusty in). The examiner was great, the facility and staff were helpful and very efficient, and I felt like a valued customer the entire time I was there.I would highly recommend this establishment for anyone wanting a driving skills or knowledge test. Given that they were professional and helpful in both of these regards, I would also confidently say that their driving school is likely awesome too! GO HERE IF IT'S AN OPTION FOR YOU!! Read Less