Elm Auto School
West Springfield, Massachusetts
Reviews
Amer Alalean
17 Jul 2025
REPORT
Serious Warning – Unprofessional and Negligent Driving School Experience
I’m sharing this to strongly warn anyone considering this driving school. My experience was nothing short of frustrating and d...
Serious Warning – Unprofessional and Negligent Driving School Experience
I’m sharing this to strongly warn anyone considering this driving school. My experience was nothing short of frustrating and disappointing.
After registering and being given a clear promise for a specific road test date — which I have written proof of — I was completely ignored. No communication. No updates. Nothing.
When I personally went to follow up, the staff acted like they had no idea what was going on. The appointment was never scheduled, and the response I got from one of the employees was careless and dismissive, as if my time and money meant nothing.
This wasn’t a small mistake — this was complete negligence. They took my money, gave me false promises, and then forgot everything. No apology, no accountability.
They eventually told me I could come and get my money back, but that doesn’t erase the stress and time wasted because of their disorganization and lack of professionalism.
Do not trust this school. If this is how they treat students before the test, imagine what the rest of the process is like. Save yourself the trouble and go somewhere that actually respects its students and honors its word.
#Warning #AvoidThisSchool #DrivingTestNightmare #Unprofessional
⸻
Gregory Ashley
30 Jan 2025
REPORT
I had a great experience at Elm Auto School. As someone who hadn't driven in almost 20 years they were very helpful in me getting my license. The class I was in had about 20 high school students.
We w...
I had a great experience at Elm Auto School. As someone who hadn't driven in almost 20 years they were very helpful in me getting my license. The class I was in had about 20 high school students.
We watched several videos, some of which were very graphic depictions of accident aftermaths. But it drove home the importance of being responsible behind the wheel. Some of the videos were older and had cheesy Naked Gun type jokes. The younger kids didn't get them at all. I thought they were hilarious.
They have books that teach you the rules of the road and after reading them you go over them in class.
My driving instructor was Lora. She is amazing. Very patient and makes you feel very comfortable as you are learning. I took my initial 12 lessons but felt I needed more. It had nothing to do with how I was taught. It was just me being nervous. They were generous enough to give me 6 additional lessons at a generous discount.
I passed on my first try. It was a great feeling. I'd like to thank Lora and everyone at Elm Auto School for a wonderful problem free experience.
I'd highly recommend Elm Auto School.
Brandon FormyDuval
8 Jul 2024
REPORT
i was driving through Springfield and the car didn’t merge well, following that the driving instructor turned around in the car, yelling, and throwing hands up. Not a good look for a driving school.
Janelly Marie
24 Jun 2023
REPORT
Very unprofessional driving instructors. From the moment the road test started to it ended, the female driving instructor had an attitude. What caused her to fail me was because she told me to pull ov...
Very unprofessional driving instructors. From the moment the road test started to it ended, the female driving instructor had an attitude. What caused her to fail me was because she told me to pull over and stop the car as if we’re getting out. There was no hill. And when she asked if I knew how to park on a hill after the test was done I said yes and she proceed to ask so why didn’t I do it on the test. That’s when she began to talk over me whilst I was trying to explain that she didn’t tell me to do it as if there was a hill. They also had two people in the back taking notes and one of them said I was speeding during the test when I was constantly looking at the speedometer to make sure I was staying at 25 mph.
Hilary Amparo
11 Feb 2023
REPORT
This is the best driving school in the area , I’ve been to other driving schools in Springfield and they weren’t as helpful as elms. After failing my license twice via two local driving schools , I d...
This is the best driving school in the area , I’ve been to other driving schools in Springfield and they weren’t as helpful as elms. After failing my license twice via two local driving schools , I decided to give elms auto school a chance and that was the best decision I had ever made . My instructor was Bethany and she was AMAZING ! She understood my anxiety when it came to driving and helped me build the confidence that I needed and helped me believe in myself. Elms has one of the best staff I’m so glad I went there . Like they say third time is a charm im so glad I can finally say I passed !
Fahad Saleem
5 Apr 2018
REPORT
Perfect driving school
Instructor : Bethany Guarnera.
Attribute : Excellent teaching skill, punctual & friendly
Result : Pass
Eugene Casey
1 Apr 2018
REPORT
The service and instruction at Elm Auto School was top of the class! Bethany was my instructor and she was amazing! She took the time to pick us up;early too might I add, to make sure we all had time ...
The service and instruction at Elm Auto School was top of the class! Bethany was my instructor and she was amazing! She took the time to pick us up;early too might I add, to make sure we all had time to practice before the exam and even dropped me off at a location of my choice.
If you need a driving instruction school you cannot make a better choice!
yes no
8 Nov 2016
REPORT
Don't ever take lessons here. Incredibly unpunctual, rude, inattentive, you name it. Had instructors forget appointments several times, come at the wrong times, and overall had the time to get my lice...
Don't ever take lessons here. Incredibly unpunctual, rude, inattentive, you name it. Had instructors forget appointments several times, come at the wrong times, and overall had the time to get my license stretched way beyond a reasonable amount. Never, ever, again.
Mhd Munir Zaitoun
26 Apr 2016
REPORT
Nice Teachers
Kristin Bard
15 Apr 2016
REPORT
Certainly would not let my 3 children use this auto school if their cars are going to ride my bumper when I am do the speed limit down a major road.
Josh Burke
29 Mar 2016
REPORT
Lady named Amber (who is one of the driving instructors employed at this establishment) almost had my life taken away from me TWICE in just 1 day of driving due to her lack of attention, awareness, an...
Lady named Amber (who is one of the driving instructors employed at this establishment) almost had my life taken away from me TWICE in just 1 day of driving due to her lack of attention, awareness, and responsibility, by constantly being on her phone, complaining, screaming, swearing, and yelling about food, her dream vehicle, and mocking a deaf student. She intentionally ignores students who she dislikes and doesn't answer their questions when it comes to driving while driving. If you want a good driving school experience with SAFETY, go someplace else. TRUST ME.
Bal Chuwan
19 Feb 2016
REPORT
I want to learn driving
Chris B.
15 Sep 2013
REPORT
Family owned and very unprofessional.The instructor Erica was on the phone arguing with her boyfriend for my entire 45min lesson which was only actually 30min.The owner Debbie had admitted to hearin...
Family owned and very unprofessional.The instructor Erica was on the phone arguing with her boyfriend for my entire 45min lesson which was only actually 30min.The owner Debbie had admitted to hearing similar complaints about this instructor yet offered no apology or refund. If you really want to get your money's worth go some place else.
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Elm Auto School
West Springfield, Massachusetts
Reviews
Amer Alalean
17 Jul 2025
Serious Warning – Unprofessional and Negligent Driving School Experience
I’m sharing this to strongly warn anyone considering this driving school. My experience was nothing short of frustrating and d...
Serious Warning – Unprofessional and Negligent Driving School Experience
I’m sharing this to strongly warn anyone considering this driving school. My experience was nothing short of frustrating and disappointing.
After registering and being given a clear promise for a specific road test date — which I have written proof of — I was completely ignored. No communication. No updates. Nothing.
When I personally went to follow up, the staff acted like they had no idea what was going on. The appointment was never scheduled, and the response I got from one of the employees was careless and dismissive, as if my time and money meant nothing.
This wasn’t a small mistake — this was complete negligence. They took my money, gave me false promises, and then forgot everything. No apology, no accountability.
They eventually told me I could come and get my money back, but that doesn’t erase the stress and time wasted because of their disorganization and lack of professionalism.
Do not trust this school. If this is how they treat students before the test, imagine what the rest of the process is like. Save yourself the trouble and go somewhere that actually respects its students and honors its word.
#Warning #AvoidThisSchool #DrivingTestNightmare #Unprofessional
⸻
Gregory Ashley
30 Jan 2025
I had a great experience at Elm Auto School. As someone who hadn't driven in almost 20 years they were very helpful in me getting my license. The class I was in had about 20 high school students.
We w...
I had a great experience at Elm Auto School. As someone who hadn't driven in almost 20 years they were very helpful in me getting my license. The class I was in had about 20 high school students.
We watched several videos, some of which were very graphic depictions of accident aftermaths. But it drove home the importance of being responsible behind the wheel. Some of the videos were older and had cheesy Naked Gun type jokes. The younger kids didn't get them at all. I thought they were hilarious.
They have books that teach you the rules of the road and after reading them you go over them in class.
My driving instructor was Lora. She is amazing. Very patient and makes you feel very comfortable as you are learning. I took my initial 12 lessons but felt I needed more. It had nothing to do with how I was taught. It was just me being nervous. They were generous enough to give me 6 additional lessons at a generous discount.
I passed on my first try. It was a great feeling. I'd like to thank Lora and everyone at Elm Auto School for a wonderful problem free experience.
I'd highly recommend Elm Auto School.
Brandon FormyDuval
8 Jul 2024
i was driving through Springfield and the car didn’t merge well, following that the driving instructor turned around in the car, yelling, and throwing hands up. Not a good look for a driving school.
Janelly Marie
24 Jun 2023
Very unprofessional driving instructors. From the moment the road test started to it ended, the female driving instructor had an attitude. What caused her to fail me was because she told me to pull ov...
Very unprofessional driving instructors. From the moment the road test started to it ended, the female driving instructor had an attitude. What caused her to fail me was because she told me to pull over and stop the car as if we’re getting out. There was no hill. And when she asked if I knew how to park on a hill after the test was done I said yes and she proceed to ask so why didn’t I do it on the test. That’s when she began to talk over me whilst I was trying to explain that she didn’t tell me to do it as if there was a hill. They also had two people in the back taking notes and one of them said I was speeding during the test when I was constantly looking at the speedometer to make sure I was staying at 25 mph.
Hilary Amparo
11 Feb 2023
This is the best driving school in the area , I’ve been to other driving schools in Springfield and they weren’t as helpful as elms. After failing my license twice via two local driving schools , I d...
This is the best driving school in the area , I’ve been to other driving schools in Springfield and they weren’t as helpful as elms. After failing my license twice via two local driving schools , I decided to give elms auto school a chance and that was the best decision I had ever made . My instructor was Bethany and she was AMAZING ! She understood my anxiety when it came to driving and helped me build the confidence that I needed and helped me believe in myself. Elms has one of the best staff I’m so glad I went there . Like they say third time is a charm im so glad I can finally say I passed !
Fahad Saleem
5 Apr 2018
Perfect driving school
Instructor : Bethany Guarnera.
Attribute : Excellent teaching skill, punctual & friendly
Result : Pass
Eugene Casey
1 Apr 2018
The service and instruction at Elm Auto School was top of the class! Bethany was my instructor and she was amazing! She took the time to pick us up;early too might I add, to make sure we all had time ...
The service and instruction at Elm Auto School was top of the class! Bethany was my instructor and she was amazing! She took the time to pick us up;early too might I add, to make sure we all had time to practice before the exam and even dropped me off at a location of my choice.
If you need a driving instruction school you cannot make a better choice!
yes no
8 Nov 2016
Don't ever take lessons here. Incredibly unpunctual, rude, inattentive, you name it. Had instructors forget appointments several times, come at the wrong times, and overall had the time to get my lice...
Don't ever take lessons here. Incredibly unpunctual, rude, inattentive, you name it. Had instructors forget appointments several times, come at the wrong times, and overall had the time to get my license stretched way beyond a reasonable amount. Never, ever, again.
Mhd Munir Zaitoun
26 Apr 2016
Nice Teachers
Kristin Bard
15 Apr 2016
Certainly would not let my 3 children use this auto school if their cars are going to ride my bumper when I am do the speed limit down a major road.
Josh Burke
29 Mar 2016
Lady named Amber (who is one of the driving instructors employed at this establishment) almost had my life taken away from me TWICE in just 1 day of driving due to her lack of attention, awareness, an...
Lady named Amber (who is one of the driving instructors employed at this establishment) almost had my life taken away from me TWICE in just 1 day of driving due to her lack of attention, awareness, and responsibility, by constantly being on her phone, complaining, screaming, swearing, and yelling about food, her dream vehicle, and mocking a deaf student. She intentionally ignores students who she dislikes and doesn't answer their questions when it comes to driving while driving. If you want a good driving school experience with SAFETY, go someplace else. TRUST ME.
Bal Chuwan
19 Feb 2016
I want to learn driving
Chris B.
15 Sep 2013
Family owned and very unprofessional.The instructor Erica was on the phone arguing with her boyfriend for my entire 45min lesson which was only actually 30min.The owner Debbie had admitted to hearin...
Family owned and very unprofessional.The instructor Erica was on the phone arguing with her boyfriend for my entire 45min lesson which was only actually 30min.The owner Debbie had admitted to hearing similar complaints about this instructor yet offered no apology or refund. If you really want to get your money's worth go some place else.
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