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Nothern California’s #1 Rated Driving School

Defensive Driving for Life — 20 Years, 4.9-Star
Teaching Safe Driving Skills That Last a Lifetime

Local Drivers Education | Certified Driving Instructors

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Lesson Skills

According to California state law, all minors must have 6 Hours of professional practice with a DMV licensed instructor.

As such, this package covers every necessary and relevant situation and technique for safe driving. Here is only a sample of what is covered in each lesson:

Why We’re Different

We specialize in both in-person and online driver’s education and advanced behind-the-wheel driver’s training.

Beyond Safe Driving

We teach advanced defensive driving techniques plus we exam based on actual DMV test requirements, giving the best preparation possible.

We Have the Best Value

In comparison to our competitors, nearly all our packages are either the same or a lower price – with the highest service at the most affordable cost.

We’re Experienced

We’ve been serving Northern California for over 20 years. We’ve taught students from 15 ½ to over 80 years old, and our team is ready to go for you. Every instructor is DMV licensed, patient, and professional.

See Inside The Experience

From 15 to 65+

Get Your License in 3 Easy Steps

Local Driving Staff: Sat S.

Learners Permit

Take (Online Driver Education )
Fill out (DMV License Application Online)
Pass DMV Written Test (Practice Questions)
Learners Permit
Local Driving Staff: Sat S.

In-Car Driving Training

Complete Minimum of 6 hours Behind-the-Wheel (BTW) training & Receive Certificate of Completion
In-Car Driving Training
Local Driving Staff: Sat S.

Get Your License!

DMV Road Test
• Note: Local Driving School can also arrange your driving test with the DMV, on your behalf, if you prefer.
Get Your License!
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Behind The Scenes

Our Student’s Point
of View

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Certified Driving Instructors

Meet the team who puts
your safety first

Mani S.

Mani Sondhi, the owner and operator of Local Driving School, is the most experienced professional of the Local Driving team. He has taught drivers training for 20+ years, and is a DMV licensed traffic school instructor. Mani, perhaps more than anyone else, sees his work as a service to society. He is passionate about teaching students to be safe, wise, and courteous drivers, as well as helping new drivers earn their license. He is a defensive driving professional, and has taught driving across Northern California, including the Bay Area. Mani grew up in Yuba City, CA, studied at San Francisco State University, and worked as a driving instructor while majoring in businesses. Mani has partnered Local Driving with “Donate Life California”, offers free driving education to adults every year, and has raised awareness about traffic safety in his local community. A few of Mani’s hobbies include traveling and playing tennis.
Mani S.

Jot S.

Jot is Mani’s wife, and joined her husband in teaching driving in 2009. She is patient, kind, and knowledgeable. She encourages her students to be both attentive and confident and enjoys helping drivers in her community be safe. As a mother of two wonderful children, she knows how important safe driving is. She enjoys teaching students all over the world. She has a degree in Computer Science. On her free time, she loves traveling, reading, playing games, and spending quality time with her family.
Jot S.

Don L.

Don has served on the Local Driving team for 20 years, but has been a driving instructor for over 20 years. He is an experienced professional who sees drivers training as his career. He has many children and grandchildren, which he says helps him understand and communicate with his students. Consequently, he enjoys working with youth, and values his work as a unique opportunity to help society, specifically by training youth to be safe drivers. He was born in Marysville, CA, and is extremely familiar with Yuba-Sutter county. In fact, his family history in the Yuba/Marysville area traces back to the 1860s. On his free time, Don enjoys riding motorcycles and spending time with his family.
Don L.

Karan S.

Hello, my name is Karan, and I've been a local driving school instructor for the last 16 years. One of my strengths is I like to get information for all my students in fine detail. So why don't you give us a try and let's teach your kids!
Karan S.

Steve V.

Steve is a very outgoing instructor. He has been teaching students how to drive for the past 5 years. Steve grew up in Lake Tahoe then moved to the Bay Area and attended Diablo Valley College. Steve loves to go snowboarding, spending time with his dog, and listening to music.
Steve V.

Jyoti S.

Jyoti has been teaching for 7 years. She enjoys teaching safe driving as well as learning new things everyday. Jyoti loves to spend her free time with her husband and 3 kids.
Jyoti S.

Gary S.

Hello, I'm Gary. I work in the I.T. department along with teaching defensive driving for Local Driving School. I've spent nearly my entire life in Yuba City. I enjoy photography and occasionally do freelance work as a wedding photographer as well. I have been teaching for a few years and am very well versed in how to get students to improve their driving regardless of skill level.
Gary S.

Sarah H.

Hello, My name is Sarah and I have been an educator for three years so far and absolutely love it! I have lived in the yuba city area my whole life. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, concerts, comics, movies, and board games. I have so much fun working at the Local Driving School and can't wait to meet you!
Sarah H.

Manik S.

Manik is a skilled pilot and certified ground instructor with over a decade of experience. Originally from India, he moved to the U.S. in 2023 to continue his aviation career. Since 2012, he has trained aspiring pilots and also enjoys teaching driver training to teens and adults. Passionate about travel and cricket, Manik is dedicated to mentoring and helping others succeed.
Manik S.

Kirt E.

Kirt has been an excellent driving instructor with us since March 2018. He has had his CA driving license since age 16 from El Cerrito, so forty (40) years driving – in several states and other countries! Born in San Francisco, Kirt now lives in Pinole Valley, knows the roadways very well and enjoys teaching driving to local bay area students. Married to a Filipina and having traveled extensively in Asia and worked in Hong Kong, Kirt knows how to relate well to students from many different geographical backgrounds. He is married with two wonderful children who are in elementary/middle school. Mr. Ewing is a former teacher, who enjoys using his whiteboard to show situations and have students learn important acronyms such as ‘SIPDE’ and ‘SMOG’ for turns and lane changes. Having given more than 1,400 lessons, Kirt is very relaxed and comfortable modeling good driving skills and being in the passenger seat giving directions and training. He enjoys being personable during the two hours, so time passes quickly. He is super patient, kind and makes sure students learn and improve each time out. Also, he prepares them excellently for their DMV road test!
Kirt E.

Druh M.

Druh has been driving for over 30 years. Her goal as an instructor is to have the student learn the theoretical and practical aspects of driving. Druh encourages the student to be alert and aware of their surroundings at the same time have a good eye, hand, and foot coordination. She also inspires the student to enjoy driving by being calm and patient. Druh enjoys playing the ukulele, listening to music, and doing art during her free time.
Druh M.

Sean S.

Sean is from the field of Aviation. He is a former Engineer who takes safety as the first priority. He holds a drivers license from 3 different countries, has 22 years of driving experience, and would like to share the experience, knowledge and skills with the community.
Sean S.

Ricardo M.

Ricardo was born and raised in the Bay Area, where he attended Richmond High School. After graduating, he started working with the U.S. Postal Service. In 2010, he shifted gears and began teaching with Local Driving School, sharing his knowledge and experience with new drivers. In 2017, Ricardo started working as an instructor and later as a DMV test examiner in Austin, Texas. He started working with Local Driving School as an instructor again in 2025. Outside of work, he enjoys relaxing with classic black and white movies, or walking his dog. He also love collecting vinyl records and listening to classic rock and roll music.
Ricardo M.

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See Inside The Experience

More Options Means the Right Fit for You

Advanced Driver Training Programs

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Life Doesn’t Stop Neither
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