Esse Driving School

I called ESSE to set up behind the wheel lessons for my son to prepare for the drivers test. Doug followed up promptly and we set it up. He clearly explained the training and the documentation I would need. Doug picked my son up every day of the lessons and brought him back to the house which was of great convenience to our busy family. Obviously I wasn't in the car but my son said Doug was very thorough, professional and knowledgeable. I thought I knew how to teach driving but the change with my sons driving skills was immediate. He drove much better, knew all the rules and feels confident about the test. I asked him point blank and he said he would 100% recommend Doug and ESSE to his friends. I mentioned the other reviews and he said that Doug NEVER made him feel uncomfortable or insulted other drivers in any way.
5 9 years ago (17-04-2017)

Doug is a great guy. Love his gun hoe attitude and funny storys from his life. Would recommend this to any parent or teenager who wants to learn to drive from a hilarious instructor.
5 10 years ago (10-12-2016)

The person that owns this driving school is a far right wing nutball who espouses very racist and prejudiced views about people. His name is Doug. My daughter came home after each class with stories about the awful things he said about politics and non white people. During the last class she took, he talked proudly of his conceal-carry license and how every one should be armed. When a student said that she didn't agree, he pulled out a knife and told her this is what people would use to threaten people instead if guns were banned. We are going somewhere else to do our on the road driving. Don't take your child here. Doug is a dangerous person.
1 11 years ago (28-04-2016)

STAY AWAY!! Very similar experience to other reviewer, with complaints about the instruction and safety of the behind-the-wheel practice, as well as the hostile environment created by the instructor. During my training session, when we saw another car run a red light, Doug explained how he sees that all the time, with certain neighborhoods being "better than others." Like St Louis Park, "where I work with all the little Jewish girls." He vociferously "refrained" from making comments about female drivers, "Well, I won't say that now, henh henh." "Now, to parallel park, you want to line up the parked car's taillight with my NRA sticker in the window..."; Not a good parking practice, nor a welcome, safe environment to learn in. I'm a grown adult who was able to take what I could from my horrific two hours - but any fifteen or sixteen year old going through their first attempts would be in a far worse spot.
1 10 years ago (11-07-2016)

Doug is a racist and generally mean person. He spoke frequently about how Muslim people "can't drive" because in "their countries" they drive on the "wrong" side of the road - and that's just one example. Disgusting human being who needs a reality check. Always felt at risk while in the car with him.
1 10 years ago (20-10-2016)