Wednesday, October 31, 2012

SMART Driving School

 My parents have been pushing me to learn how to drive, but refuses to let me learn from any experienced driver at home. They claimed that they want me to an "educated driver"! So after researching, I agreed to enter driving school for the sole reason that once I graduate from their program, I will NO LONGER have to take the actual driving test at the Land Transport Office (LTO).

 But why did I chose SMART Driving School?
  • They provide licensing assistance.
  • Good reputation.
  • They have very convenient locations. 
  • They have the cheapest rates.
  • Free orientation and lecture on driving and defensive driving.

SMART Brochure of the all branches, addresses and numbers.


 General Tips when Enrolling:
  • You need to be at least 16 years old. To learn, you need a students permit from the government and the basic requirement is to be 16 years old. SMART can assist you to get the students permit or you can do it yourself
  • Find the branch nearest you. Because if you are late for class, those minutes will be lost. 
  • Know your schedule. Before enrolling at any branch, make sure you know your schedule so the person in charge could schedule you immediately.
  • Schedule different times. Don't get the same times every time, because you want to experience morning traffic, the afternoon breeze, and night driving.
  • Take the orientation and lectures seriously. In other driving school, you have to pay for these. Take advantage of the fact that this comes free when you enroll. 
  • Bring 2 copies of your 1x1. I honestly don't know what it is for, but you need it to enroll for driving school. 
  • You can bring a companion when you drive...if you're a girl. However, the boys are not allowed to have a companion in the car. Safety reasons, I guess.
  • Keep the receipt. According to my instructor, if you have the receipt with you, you can keep coming back to the orientations free of charge. 
Among the entire of list of branches, I enrolled myself with St. Francis Square because it was conveniently located near my house. Shane Mallane (631-1663) graciously assisted me through the whole thing. And thanks to this blog, I knew which driver I wanted to take... Sir Clifford.

RATES

The system of how much you will pay depends on the total hours you want to drive, how long you want to drive in a day, if you want to have a specific instructor, or what car you would drive. The best selling lesson, according to Ms. Shane, is 10 hours for 2 hours per day. This costs a total of Php 5,500.

Although I did enrolled myself for 2 hours per day for 10 hours total,  I wanted Sir Clifford as my instructor all through out. So I had to pay extra and spent a total of Php 7,000.
Click here for the all the rates!

ORIENTATION
Before you consume your hours, you will need to go to orientation. I took my orientation at SMART Shaw Blvd. cor Pioneer Pasig. It was in front of Caltex. They said it would take 3 hours, but it was only 2 hours. They just added the extra hour to pad for the late comers or for the questions.
Schedule
Monday: 3:00-6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 - 12:00 NN
Saturday: 9:00 - 12:00 NN
We had Sir Vincent orient us and boy was he energetic on an early Saturday morning. He actually articulated the information very well. He was clear, and added anecdotes to make us remember how to drive. He seems like a very capable instructor.

DRIVING CLASSES
Classes begin depending on what time you scheduled it. So again, make sure you be there on time because if you are late, you lost those minutes. Here's the lessons you will learn more or less:

The lessons you will learn.
I heard that they don't limit you to the structure in the image above. If they feel like you can U-Turn on the first day, they will teach you even if it's initially for the 4th day. (that's what happened to me!)

Oh, and... Sir Clifford was great! He reviewed all the things I learned at orientation, and let me drive right after. He did not shout at me, nor did he get mad. He knew when to let go of the breaks and when to grab the stirring wheel when necessary. He easily broke the awkwardness by cracking jokes - some were funny, some weren't. Haha! I also appreciated that gave me extra tips and tricks when driving. I really felt like paying extra was worth it to have him as my instructor all though out.

(We took a picture at the end of classes but it got erased! So sad.)

LECTURE
After you have completed your driving hours,  you will receiving a lecture at the same place you did your orientation. Luckily, I had Sir Vincent again to instruct us.
Schedule
Wednesday: 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 1:00 - 5:00 PM
 It was around 4 hours in deed. Or maybe 3hours and 30 minutes? It was LONG. But it was okay. Because it was really informative and the presentation included a lot of videos so we could visualize what he was saying.

ASSISTANCE
This is an entirely different blog entry because it deals with LTO and not so much SMART driving school. Check it out here.

OVERALL
My experience with SMART Driving School was good. No regrets whatsoever. I am probably more paranoid that ever to drive but, I really felt like I learned how to drive. I'm officially an educated driver! Haha.

57 comments:

  1. If you are thinking for enrolling on a driving school this site is the right places for you.

    Driving Schools A to Z

    ReplyDelete
  2. I simply wanted to appreciate you yet again. I am not sure what I would have used without the type of information shared by you directly on such a subject. This was a very alarming setting in my view, however , spending time with a skilled mode you handled that made me to cry for fulfillment. I am just happy for this information and thus hope you are aware of a great job you are doing teaching most people using a blog. I know
    that you’ve never got to know all of us.
    driving classes in MD

    ReplyDelete
  3. https://www.darshandrivingschool.com.au

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm amazed, I have to say. Really rarely ever do I face a blog that's equally educative and entertaining, and enable me notify you, you might have hit the nail on the head. Your concept is excellent the issue is something that not sufficient people are talking intelligently about. I am very joyful that I stumbled throughout this in my look for for some thing referring to this.
    Driving schools in burtonsville

    driving classes in md

    ReplyDelete
  5. Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) has been introduced across the European Union to maintain high driving standards and improve road safety.
    hgv cpc training & cpc exam

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm amazed, I have to say. Actually barely ever do I experience a site that's both educative and entertaining, and permit me notify you, you may well have hit the nail on the head. Your notion is excellent the problem is anything that not adequate folks are talking intelligently about. I am extremely joyful that I stumbled throughout this in my find for something referring to this.
    driving classes in md
    Driving schools in College park MD

    ReplyDelete
  7. Eagle Driving School. It is one of the best driving schools situated in North Virginia. It has been serving the masses from last 10 years.

    ReplyDelete
  8. An instructor from a professional driving school is trained to recognise any weaknesses you may have in your driving. They are also experienced in coaching people to pass their test. In fact, as well as practical tips, a driving instructor will be able to offer advice for your theory and hazard perception tests. The other benefit is that a driver will be more confident when driving knowing that they were trained by professionals. Just like any form of education, students would feel better if they have been trained by a qualified person. Rule Texas Approved Online Defensive Driving Instruction

    ReplyDelete
  9. Its 100% fact that driving safely will avoid many types of risk mostly reckless driving done by rent a car vehicles thats the reason mostly all car rental agent check validity of driving licence before giving any car's on rent. Now in car hire service its become a mandatory or must do check list.

    ReplyDelete
  10. AMS Driving School in Australia provide professional driving training in different different cities like Beverly Hills,Canterbury,bankstown,bemore, Campsie Etc.If you want to get professional driving training contact here driving instructor Beverly hills

    ReplyDelete
  11. Thanks for the useful driving tips, Mica! I believe that enrolling in a driving school will help me learn the basics including how to become a safe driver. I’ve read a lot of reviews about driving school and I found this certain Penrith driving school offers lessons at a good price.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Because of our unique approach to Texas Defensive driving, our defensive driving online course provides Texas students with the best Texas online defensive driving training experience in defensive driving. A Ready to get started? A Sign up today for the Texas Defensive Driving School defensive driving online course that will painlessly dismiss your ticket and may provide you with up to a 10% discount on your liability insurance. A Compare Texas Defensive Driving School to any other defensive driving course and we believe you will see that the Texas Defensive Driving School online defensive driving course provides the best defensive driving online experience.http://texdds.com/articles/texas-approved-online-defensive-driving-school-Galveston.html

    ReplyDelete

  13. This blog is highly informative, crisp and clear. Here everything has been described in systematic manner so that reader could get maximum information and learn many things. This is one of the best blogs I have read.http://texdds.com/articles/texas-approved-online-defensive-driving-school-Colleyville.html

    ReplyDelete
  14. This blog post is really great; the quality information of this post is genuinely incredible.
    www.brightondrivinglessons.net

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi!! I would like to ask how long is the validity of student permit? I got mine last Oct 2014. It's been almost 7 mos and I still haven't attended driving school :( Do I need to get a new student permit?

    ReplyDelete
  16. I had a bad experience in Smart driving school. I expected that the instructor is very patient, but what I experience is opposite.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes.. you are right. No assistance from them also to get license, very horrible..very expensive rates. No proper orientation.

      Delete
    2. sobrang unpatient ng instructor.. expected nila marunong ka na 2~3 days after driving.

      Delete
  17. I am much contended after seeing such great post. It has impressed me a lot. convictioninsure.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  18. Driving faculties are getting additional fashionable by the day. Everyone needs to grasp additional and additional regarding them.
    This includes you WHO cannot expect the chance to require the wheel in their hands,
    And conjointly the involved oldsters probing for a decent faculty to send their youngsters.
    There are some plan regarding driving which will be facilitated full for you,

    Driving School near me

    ReplyDelete
  19. I see. I'm starting my driving lessons in Alpha and Omega Driving School
     and I hope it will turned out well. Check them out too.

    ReplyDelete
  20. trainer is best to learn new things about driving what family cant. you can get freedom too explore also

    Driving instructor Melbourne

    ReplyDelete
  21. I am glad to have read your blog and your good experience with Smart driving school. However, I guess I'm not too lucky with my instructor. I have never driven/handled a steering in my life and just on my 2nd day as a beginner student I was already stressed. My instructor on my first day was really nice and was also cracking jokes so I had a fun and relaxed 1st day of driving. But on my 2nd day the instructor I got was grumpy and even hit the dashboard at one point when I failed to cross a busy intersection. He even say things like "Ano ka ba naman?" "o kita ko yan lagpas na tayo. O ano na?". Now I am going to request for a specific instructor as long as I never drive under him again.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Good to know that you've found an amazing driving school. Thanks for sharing about this great driving school. Will definitely check them out.

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm very disappointed in my last training because of the last instructor and the car we've used. The car clutch are a little stiff and the steering wheel is not align so i need to adjust my skills. I like my first and second trainer because they teaches me the advance technique especially in hanging,maneuvering and highway driving, But eventually my last trainer techies me old technique. He keeps on talking while I'm driving which sometimes I lost my concentration and sometimes he is not familiar where we going in. He also do the assessment while on our training which supposed to be done at the end of the training session in which my first and second trainer did.

    ReplyDelete
  24. The most common question I get when someone is looking for a driving school is what is the price? Most people don’t ask any other questions. Some other things that should be considered before selecting a driving school are qualified driving instructors, dual control cars, full one hour driving lesson and good reviews.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Smart Driving School in Isabela, Philippines, very horrible! No proper orientation, very expensive rates. Most of the times, go and drive in highway only, in this case you can't properly trained.

    They will asked first the payment, once you paid and if you want to change something, you gonna cry to request..

    No assistance to get license, if I were you..just ask somebody of your friends or relatives to teach you, maybe more better than this training school..

    ReplyDelete
  26. These are wonderful tips on how to choose a smart driving school. I am in search of best local Port Macquarie Driving School to enrol my kid for professional driving classes. Hope to find expert driving instructors who can give tips and skills on manual as well as automated driving skills.

    ReplyDelete
  27. I additionally need to apply for driving permit. Would i be able to get it? Or, on the other hand would it be a good idea for me to take any testament from driving preparing before that? I am thinking to take assistance from a best Driving School Calgary. I heard they help in getting driving permit effortlessly.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Your style is so exclusive compared to other individuals.Driver Ed Coupon

    ReplyDelete
  29. This blog conscious me about particular programs which can emerge as very beneficial for our pals and children. Few net websites offer mixed guides and few of the are separately for unmarried state of affairs. satisfied to get this information. Driving school in Reston

    ReplyDelete
  30. pass at once is specifically designed to raise your awareness of everything happening around you while driving. A driver who takes the defensive driving course practices defensive driving skills

    ReplyDelete
  31. What does V.L. in remarks mean?

    ReplyDelete
  32. Very informative and impressive post you have written, this is quite interesting and i have went through it completely, an upgraded information is shared, keep sharing such valuable information. Driving Instructor Homebush

    ReplyDelete
  33. Driving lesson
    Call Dallas Leading Driving School to Clear the Test. Khan Driving School has the fully professional driving instructors who teach driving lessons at the fun way in all over Melbourne.

    ReplyDelete

  34. Incredible article distributed here by you. I have long been eager to adapt new things in relation to this topic, and there is no doubt that I have adapted new things today. penrith driving school

    ReplyDelete
  35. This kind of blog, navigate in my intellect of my circumstances! That most people need if their planning to enrol in driving school.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Outstanding post, I conceive blog owners should acquire a lot from this blog its very user pleasant. schedule road test

    ReplyDelete
  37. Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on that. And he actually bought me lunch because I found it for him smile So let me rephrase that. Driving school Blacktown

    ReplyDelete
  38. Excellent blog, such a wonderful information use un this. if you are looking for best Driving Lessons Sidcup. We ere the best driving lessons school in all over the london.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hamble Thanks for the awesome blog. it was very useful for me.keep sharing such ideas in the future as well.playfh com login

    ReplyDelete
  40. I have to Thanks for the awesome blog. it was very useful for me.keep sharing such ideas in the future as well.sqex me link

    ReplyDelete
  41. That’s truly has added a lot to our knowledge about this topic. It has a lot of key elements that truly make it work. Have more success in your journey.
    Malik Furnitures
    Twin Size Bed Frame
    Small Console Table
    Small Bedroom Furniture
    Round Dining Table
    Rattan dining chairs
    Modern bed frame queen
    Master bedroom Ideas

    ReplyDelete
  42. From the tons of comments on your posts, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! Keep up the excellent work.
    fire alarm system in pakistan
    afff fire extinguisher
    fire fighting training
    fire extinguisher price in karachi

    fire safety equipment

    ReplyDelete
  43. I shared your site with my friends because they can take information from your site. I found some sites relate your site Check link Below.
    Thank you..
    Beyonce with hip dips
    10 exercises to get rid of hip dips
    Best Exercise to get rid of Hip Dips
    Exercises For Skating
    How many Calories do Push-ups Burn

    ReplyDelete
  44. Your Content is amazing and I am glad to read them. Thanks for sharing the Blog.this blog is very helpful information for every one.

    seo consultant in pakistan
    receivable management services
    online shopping winter clothes

    ReplyDelete
  45. Nice! your blog is very informative and great. If your are looking for these best Driving Lessons Bromley services. Our company provides the best services in the United Kingdom.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Thank you so much for such an wonderful blog. I’m really thankful to you for this informative article.Camel Safari In Jaisalmer Lovely blog

    ReplyDelete
  47. your article is well written and simple to understand. you make excellent points.Thanks for the blog.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Fantastic read! The article flows effortlessly, making it easy to digest and understand. Kudos to the author for such a well-written piece, providing valuable insights into safe and effective driving practices.
    And also, if anyone is looking for the best driving school near Plympton Park, just give it a click.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Respect and I have a dandy provide: Who Repair House Windows hgtv brady bunch house

    ReplyDelete