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BEST RATED DES MOINES, IA DRIVING SCHOOLS

3 Best Driving Schools in Des Moines, IA

Expert-recommended Top 3 Driving Schools in Des Moines, Iowa. All of our driving schools actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

Drive With Cops - Des Moines, IA Driving Schools - Driving Car Image
Drive With Cops - Des Moines, IA Driving Schools - Coaching Image
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Best Driving Schools in Des Moines IA - Drive With Cops video
6+ YEARS ON TBR
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DRIVE WITH COPS

(4.9 Score)
2900 Justin Drive, Suite I, Urbandale,
Des Moines, IA 50322 Directions

Since 2013

Specialty:

✓Driver's Education ✓Vehicle Driving Instruction ✓Driver Safety Training ✓Classroom Training ✓Behind-the-wheel Training ✓Driving Evaluations ✓Simulator Training ✓License Testing

" Drive With Cops aims to train new drivers using modern technology and teaching methods to produce safe, intelligent, and defensive drivers. Their educators are active and retired Police Officers working in collaboration with career educators. All of their instructors are approved to instruct driver's training in the State of Iowa. Their instructors make up a strong team between law enforcement and career educators. Drive With Cops has the unique experience of knowing all traffic rules and how they are implemented during routine driving. Their educational process utilizes modern technology along with a heavily interactive classroom setting.

2026 Highlights: Drive With Cops's daily logistics and instructor staffing are managed by David Kopp."

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License #445468

Price:

Driver's Education Session: $430
Textbook: $20

Contact:

(515) 981-6363

Mon-Thu: 9am - 6pm
Fri: 9am - 11:30am
Sat & Sun: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

Street Smarts Driver Education - Des Moines, IA Driving Schools - Teacher Image
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7+ YEARS ON TBR
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STREET SMARTS DRIVER EDUCATION

(4.8 Score)
7642 Hickman Road, Windsor Heights,
Des Moines, IA 50324 Directions

Specialty:

✓Driver Education ✓Classroom Instruction ✓Behind-the-wheel Instruction ✓Driving Lessons ✓Driver Safety Training

" Street Smarts Driver Education is a locally owned and operated driving school that employs only Iowa-certified licensed instructors. The school is fully licensed by the Iowa Department of Education and the Iowa Department of Transportation. They combine classroom instruction with hands-on driving practice in a combination of settings to help prepare their students for the road. They have assisted hundreds of students in completing their driver's education. Street Smarts Driver Education gives an advanced driving simulator for pupils who need more help behind the wheel. They also provide flexible driving schedules. They have opportunities for classroom instructors and driving instructors. Stop into their office for an application or apply online.

2026 Highlights: Street Smarts Driver Education strictly follows Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) and Department of Education requirements by combining online study with physical in-car practice. They have a state-certified program focusing on hazard recognition, space management, and critical error avoidance."

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Price:

Classes From $475

Contact:

(515) 279-1112

Mon-Fri: 8am - 4:30pm
Sat & Sun: Closed

TBR® Inspection Report:

Stick Shift Driving Academy - Des Moines, IA Driving Schools - Group Class Image
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STICK SHIFT DRIVING ACADEMY

(4.8 Score)
Des Moines & Surrounding Areas,
Des Moines, IA 50317

Since 2017

Specialty:

✓Manual Transmission Training ✓Beginner Driving Lessons ✓Traffic School ✓Court-Ordered Driving Lessons ✓Remedial Driving Lessons ✓Teen Driver Education ✓Adult Driver Education ✓Behind-the-Wheel Training

“ 2026 Highlights: Stick Shift Driving Academy is an American driving school that teaches people how to drive manual transmission (stick shift) cars. Founded in 2017, the company connects students with local, experienced instructors who teach lessons using their own personal cars. Lessons are kept safe and calm by taking place entirely in large, empty parking lots to ensure peace of mind. In Des Moines, Iowa, the local branch operates daily, where instructors help students master the clutch, shift gears, and practice hill starts in focused, 2-to-4-hour sessions.”

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Contact:

(515) 304-3668

Mon-Sun: 9am - 7pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

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DRIVE WITH COPS REVIEWS

My oldest daughter just completed the Winter course and loved it. With both classroom time and drive times, the program covers great, real-world material to prepare our young drivers to be defensive and cautious on the road. Instructors were personable, approachable, and funny, making the classroom interactive, enjoyable, and relatable. Scheduling was tricky since the session started over Christmas and New Year’s break, but the flexibility and dedication by Terry was fantastic to get the group through it successfully. As a parent, the communication by the administration of the program was responsive and thorough in replies, making sure parents understood and stayed informed along the way. 10/10, would absolutely recommend to parents of new drivers.

We could not be more pleased with the experience our child had at Drive with Cops! Our child has some emotional and learning challenges and did struggle a couple times during class, but they worked with him, did not make him feel bad or less than, and ultimately helped him to be successful in the class. Communication is outstanding. Terry is so kind, helpful, and very patient with parents who are not from Iowa and do not understand the weird rules for getting your license here. :) You do have to book the class early because they fill up FAST (for good reason). We booked almost a year in advance, and it was worth every penny.

Love, love, LOVE Drive with Cops!! We live in Ankeny and the program was well worth the drive to Urbandale. My daughter is very high functioning autistic...they were phenomenal with her-so patient and thorough. I saw her confidence build right away. I also really liked how specific Ms. Terry was at the front office with the instructions on how to get the next step permit/license (eg-school permit). They cover all of that with the parents at the last day of class, but having the emails handy was great! Can't recommend enough.

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STREET SMARTS DRIVER EDUCATION REVIEWS

I had driving for phobia for years and decided it was time to overcome it and work towards my license. Gary was my instructor and he was SO patient and calm. He even would gently remind me when I was too tensed up. Learning to relax behind the wheel came to me quickly. He took me down the roads that are most commonly used by the DOT test, which has a few speed limit changes and an awkward stop sign stop. Gary also gave me a detailed list of things that can instantly fail you: Hitting the curb. Not coming to a full, complete stop at the stop sign. Failing to use turn signals. Speeding. The DOT itself is somewhat vague about how the driving test goes, but having this knowledge ahead of time really made it easier to get over nerves the day of the test. These classes were worth every penny! I just went home with my license today. Thanks for helping me accomplish this big goal.

Amazing experience with smart street driving class, coming from different country is hard to get familiar with rules and regulations but instructor is so good, he help you with each and every lesson of driving, you just need good confidence to drive rest of it they help you. Great experience thank to help getting me my driving license.

Terri, my instructor was very patient and I completed the Street Smarts driving course with instructor Chris Drake earlier this year. He was incredibly patient with me even when I was nervous and consistently gave me constructive feedback that has helped me with my driving even after finishing the course. He was also punctual and had a structured plan of our routes and breaks. Even though me and my other driving partner had to drive in snowy conditions for our final test, he did a great job of navigating the both of us and getting us back safe. From my successful experience, I highly recommend this course and specifically Chris Drake, especially with nervous or inexperienced drivers.

STICK SHIFT DRIVING ACADEMY REVIEWS

Kim was my instructor. She was awesome! It had been 30 years since I drove a stick. I am traveling to Europe and the only type of car to rent was a stick shift! This was very scary to me so I found Stick Shift Driving Academy! What a game changer! It we very easy to sign up. Everyone was so kind and answered all my questions. We scheduled a lesson and Kim explained everything so well. She was SO Kind and patient! I feel much more confident about my trip now. Totally recommend taking these courses.

Andrew helped me to get past my beginner level skills driving a 6-speed transmission manual. He was very engaged and thorough on addressing the mistakes I was making, and giving me tips to change the bad habits that caused me to keep stalling.

It was amazing Kim was my instructor and it went swimmingly I 100% recommend you try it out if your interested.

TBR® Inspection Score Report

DRIVE WITH COPS Total Inspection Points: 117/120
Business Hours: 8
Pricing: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Copyright & License: 10
Exact Services: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Reviews Accuracy of : 10
Video: 10
Website Source: 10
Website Standard: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

STREET SMARTS DRIVER EDUCATION Total Inspection Points: 116/120
Business Hours: 8
Business Images: 9
Complete Info: 9
Acknowledgments: 10
Exact Services: 10
Serving Locations: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Book Appointment: 10
Pricing: 10
Reviews Accuracy of : 10
Website Standard: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

STICK SHIFT DRIVING ACADEMY Total Inspection Points: 114/120
Business Images: 8
Acknowledgments: 9
Complete Info: 9
Contact Info: 9
Location Proximity: 9
Business Hours: 10
Exact Services: 10
Serving Locations: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Reviews Accuracy of : 10
Website Source: 10
Website Standard: 10