Our Staff

Mani S.

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.

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.

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!

Steve V.

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.

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.

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.

Chelsea O.

My name is Chelsea, I live in Marysville and have been in the Yuba City area my entire life. I enjoy teaching new drivers defensive driving because I want them to feel comfortable behind the wheel and to understand safe driving habits. In my free time enjoy travel and art.

Chelsea O.
Sarah H.

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!

Kayla C.

Hello, my name is Kayla and I have been in the Yuba/Sutter area for the past 11 years. I strive to create a comfortable and enjoyable learning experience for student drivers. During my free time, I like to go to the gym, hiking, traveling, or binge watching a T.V. show.

Kayla C.
Kirt E.

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. In fact, he has some of the most/best REVIEWS on both Google and Yelp for our company. 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!

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.
Fernando G.

Fernando G.

Fernando was born and raised in the Bay Area, and has over 10 years of teaching experience. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal studies with and education concentration from San Francisco State University. He loves sharing his passion and curiosity for discovering new ideas and experiences with his students. In hiis free time, Fernando enjoys cooking, hiking, gardening, art, practicing yoga, and martial arts. He is grateful to be a part of such a wonderful school and community, and looks forward to growing with everyone while working with such caring educators

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.
Charan G.

Charan G.

Charan, driving instructor at Local Driving School and a full-time college student. Charan is a professional driving instructor, who can present information in an interesting, brief, and humorous manner that enables automatic muscle memory. He is an extrovert person who enjoys technology, video games, traveling, sports, and cars. Charan loves engaging students in conversations to reduce nervousness and fears within students.

David R.

Hi, my name is David. I am 35 years old. I am married with two children, a 15 year old daughter and 6 year old son. Training and helping people has always been something I enjoyed doing and have many years under my belt of personal training/fitness management and helping people build their skill set. I am excited everyday that I have the opportunity to train and help people in such a different way. It brings me so much joy to see people succeed in any skill they seek to learn and the fact that I get to have any contribution in them achieving their goal brings me so much satisfaction.

David R.

Amarjit K.

Hi, my name is Amarjit, and I'm with Local Driving School. I've been teaching for 7 years now. I'm a single mother of two, and I like teaching. I am a professional teacher as well. My son who's a 9th grader will be driving soon, and my daughter who's a 7th grader will definitely be going with Local Driving School as well.

Mary L.

Hello, my name is Mary and I have lived in the Yuba-Sutter community for almost my entire life. I graduated from Lindhurst High School and married my high school sweetheart. I have a beautiful family which includes three adult children and seven grandchildren. I have retired from the DMV after 22 years. I am proud to be a Yuba-Sutter resident and love to work with the youth in our great community.

Mary L.
Arezu T.

Arezu T.

Hello there, I'm Arezu T. Known for my super-friendly demeanor, I'm here to welcome you with a warm "We can do this!" smile. With over 12 years of experience as an instructor, I've guided numerous aspiring drivers on their journey, and I'm excited to help you become a skilled driver as well. Fluent in English, Persian (Farsi), and Turkish, I'm your go-to instructor for a supportive and technically adept learning experience. Let's embark on this journey together!