Driving schools in Kyiv

I propose we exchange opinions about our driving schools. I got my license at the well-known Kyiv driving school "ASS": the theory was taught excellently, but the driving practice left much to be desired. Instead of teaching how to properly drive a car, they drilled us on saving every gram of fuel — driving in neutral, starting without pressing the gas pedal, and the like. When I decided to take extra lessons at another school ("Spoiler"), the instructor was simply horrified to hear about those "driving techniques" taught at "ASS". But the most reliable option is to start with skid control courses on a closed track. After a short course at such a school ("Energy of Motion"), I began to feel much more confident behind the wheel, although the cost of training is, of course, above average.

Recently my wife was getting her license, and I was shocked by how they prepare people there. She drove in first gear as if it were an automatic, and kept the clutch pressed all the time — nobody even mentioned neutral. It's clear that it's easier to teach that way, but what do they end up teaching?

I'm writing for those who suddenly decide to enroll in the 'Express' driving school. It's a complete nightmare, especially the driving instructors. I especially want to note Andrey Grigoryevich — he just squeezes money out of you and is unlikely to teach you to drive properly. Instead of the promised thirty hours, you'll get at most fifteen. And the theory is taught so poorly that it would have been better not to start at all.

rubl wrote:
Recently my wife was taking her driving test, and I was shocked at what they teach them there. She drove in first gear like it was an automatic and kept the clutch pressed all the time — they completely forgot about neutral. Of course, it's easier to teach that way.

alex2000.
I will allow myself to partially disagree. I am a practical driving instructor. Only in first gear can you feel what is happening with the car, and, having understood this, move on. We should not forget that a driving school gives only 10–15 lessons — this is an attempt to fit the impossible. Moreover, much depends on the individual characteristics of the student.

Understanding what happens in first gear is one thing, but not realizing that there is at least neutral, let alone second gear, is quite another. If you constantly hold the clutch pedal, your left leg will quickly tire, and the student will start rushing to release it, causing the engine to either stall or over-rev. What is the right approach here?

When the clutch is pressed, the heel rests on the floor, and while driving it hangs in the air. As for neutral gear: modern cars have an idle suppression system that gives almost zero fuel consumption when moving in gear. Braking in neutral is not allowed — when the clutch is pressed, the engine is disconnected from the wheels, and achieving uniform force on the brake cylinders is physically impossible. You need to practice.

The point is not to teach people mechanics, but to drive as if on automatic: pressed the pedals — stopped, released — went, you can forget about the gearshift lever altogether. And what is there to train here? Standing at a traffic light without releasing the clutch, and in no case turning off the gear? And in general, where did I say that you need to brake in neutral, and what does fuel consumption have to do with it?

Imagine a situation: you are stopped at a traffic light, the gear is in neutral, and you are holding the brake pedal. The light turns green, you release the brake, press the gas, and dump the clutch — but the car either stays in place or, worse, rolls backward. While you are figuring out what is happening, you are already in the bumper of the car behind you. Even if you dump the clutch, the car will stall but remain in place (I am talking about those who have no driving experience). The question is: why is the clutch pedal needed at all? 1. To engage a gear. 2. To shift gears. 3. To stop the car.

I don't advise going to "Signal" — the lectures there are given normally (maybe I was just lucky with the instructor), but the practical training leaves much to be desired. Better to pay extra and study at a decent school. If I had known in advance, I wouldn't have gone there even for motorcycle training!

I disagree about "Signal" — maybe just unlucky with the instructor. I studied individually myself and had no complaints about the quality of training.

Instructors come in all kinds, no argument there. But it's not just about the specific person. Once at 'Signal' there was a minor conflict, and in response to my complaints I heard a phrase that says a lot about their attitude towards students: 'there are many like you, you'll put up with it.' And how does that align with the golden rule that the customer is always right? If you want to be treated like a crowd, not like an individual, then 'Signal' is definitely the place for you.

First, you'll still have to go to a driving school, get a license, and then go study again — because, as practice shows, almost everyone has to finish learning or relearn. I passed my driving test myself, but then didn't get behind the wheel for five years. When I got a car, I had to remember everything from scratch. I was lucky with my instructor — she was a woman. My husband was skeptical about that choice, but I decided to trust someone who has actual teaching experience, not just driving experience or work in a taxi. Besides, I absolutely can't stand it when an instructor shouts or gets nervous — I might drop the steering wheel and get out of the car. But this woman turned out to be completely calm, kept both me and the road situation under control, and knew a bunch of useful techniques. In the end, she corrected my mistakes and taught me how to park. Now I feel the dimensions and every centimeter of the road. Very pleased! I can't even imagine how many cars I would have scratched if I hadn't gone to finish learning. If anyone else needs it, her contacts can be found on the Mitsubishi Ukraine Club forum.

When I first saw the prices at driving schools, I was simply shocked — over two years, the cost of training has increased by about one and a half to two times. This is pure robbery. So now I will teach my wife to drive myself, and all that remains is to learn the theory tickets.

I studied at a driving school at the Sports and Technical Club (STK) of the Solomensky district organization. This school has been operating for over forty years, and that was the decisive factor for me when choosing. Experience and reputation were important to me. The theoretical part is really strong, although personally it was hard for me to digest such a volume of information. The practical part is just excellent. I had a strong fear of city driving and started from complete scratch. Now I can say that I drive quite confidently, though there are many inadequate drivers in Kyiv, so I can't relax one hundred percent. I recommend this school to everyone who wants to truly master driving and learn the rules, not just get a license for show.

I graduated from the 'Osvita-Auto' driving school. The theory was taught quite clearly and in a structured manner. I learned to drive with instructor Igor in a car with an automatic transmission. Of course, I had to take extra lessons — ten lessons at the school are clearly not enough, especially for a woman. As for the instructor, he is a wonderful teacher who deserves a monument while he is alive for his patience. He explains everything very clearly, gives valuable advice on city driving, parking, and U-turns in difficult places. Now I can confidently recommend him both to beginners and to those who studied at other schools but never acquired the necessary skills.

Finished courses at 'Konstanta GS' — complete garbage. They rip you off, and there are no normal cars, everything is beat-up. Not to mention the instructors — they themselves still need to learn and learn. In short, it's cheaper to just buy a license, it'll cost at least twice less. That's a fact.

sonim.in.ua

Автошкола АГАТ бред полный,цирк а не школа знаний 000 когда читаеш правила становишся умнее их инструкторов. Tупизм даш деньги на экзамены получиш права а недаш будеш здавать экзамен все время и нездаш.B авто школе агат нечему неучят,одноклассник у них учился и расказывал. A ихний инструктор на MITSUBISHI LANCER сам ездить неумеет нас с этим одноклассником на переходе чють несбил вот я и узнал об этой школе ....от друга .

Here's an Auto School 'AGAT' that is definitely worth avoiding.

I also completed my training at Leader-Drive. Our theory instructor was Evgeny Georgievich — he explained everything excellently. It's amazing how he had the patience to answer some students' questions. He analyzed situations in detail, worked through the exam tickets — everything was to the point. I passed the theory at the traffic police on the first try, without any extra payments. Many thanks to him both as an instructor and as a person. He is a very good instructor: patient, knows how to find an approach to each student — when to scold, when to praise. And students aren't exactly easy either. Taking extra lessons is definitely worth it. I don't know about other schools, but in ours they don't 'fleece' you for money — here you understand for yourself whether you've learned to drive or not. Many people just buy their licenses but can't even get behind the wheel. I needed it — I took extra lessons and practiced until I felt confident and understood the road. Learn to drive! Leader-Drive will help you with that.