Learning to drive can be an overwhelming experience, especially if, like me, you’re carrying past trauma. As a kid, I was involved in two car accidents that left me convinced I would never get behind the wheel. I fully embraced the “passenger princess” life and was content staying that way. But something shifted as I approached 30. I realized that fear no longer had a place in my heart. I wanted to take back control, and getting my driver’s license became a personal goal.
That’s where Gilbert came in.
From the moment I started driving with him, I knew I was in good hands. Gilbert is everything you want in a driving instructor:... read full review
May 2025
It's not often a business has 200+ 5 star reviews, but Gmel Driving Academy does and the reviews are right! As an adult driver who hadn't driven in years and had no experience driving in DC, Gilbert was patient and gave lots of practical advice. He tailored the lesson to the things I wanted to work on, and he spent time making sure I felt comfortable. I hadn't driven in cars with modern cameras and parking assistance technology, but Gilbert's SUV had all these features. He taught me lots of little tricks and had me doing parallel and reversing parking perfectly in no time! Gilbert is a fantastic instructor and I can't recommend him and Gmel Driving... read full review
April 2025
Gilbert is the best! After years living overseas I let me license expired and had to take the knowledge test and road test all over. Since it has been years since I drove a car, my older brother suggested I use a driving instructor who understands the components of the road test. Gilbert was great and did that well - he prepared me specifically for the road test and I passed the first time. GMEL Driving Academy was super easy to book and well worth the time/cost. Highly recommend.
Learning to drive can be an overwhelming experience, especially if, like me, you’re carrying past trauma. As a kid, I was involved in two car accidents that left me convinced I would never get behind the wheel. I fully embraced the “passenger princess” life and was content staying that way. But something shifted as I approached 30. I realized that fear no longer had a place in my heart. I wanted to take back control, and getting my driver’s license became a personal goal.
That’s where Gilbert came in.
From the moment I started driving with him, I knew I was in good hands. Gilbert is everything you want in a driving instructor:... read full review
It's not often a business has 200+ 5 star reviews, but Gmel Driving Academy does and the reviews are right! As an adult driver who hadn't driven in years and had no experience driving in DC, Gilbert was patient and gave lots of practical advice. He tailored the lesson to the things I wanted to work on, and he spent time making sure I felt comfortable. I hadn't driven in cars with modern cameras and parking assistance technology, but Gilbert's SUV had all these features. He taught me lots of little tricks and had me doing parallel and reversing parking perfectly in no time! Gilbert is a fantastic instructor and I can't recommend him and Gmel Driving... read full review
Gilbert is the best! After years living overseas I let me license expired and had to take the knowledge test and road test all over. Since it has been years since I drove a car, my older brother suggested I use a driving instructor who understands the components of the road test. Gilbert was great and did that well - he prepared me specifically for the road test and I passed the first time. GMEL Driving Academy was super easy to book and well worth the time/cost. Highly recommend.