First driving instructor was $@!#%. Our experience with Mr. Martins has been anything but pleasant from the very beginning. We didn’t even want to move forward with him as her instructor, but he said he had a long discussion with you, and we were going to proceed with him.

Emma has had two lessons with him. The first one was scheduled for 3/31, which he canceled. Her actual first lesson on 4/7 went okay, other then he was an 1-1.5hrs late (Initially a 10 am start, then in another email he said 10:30, but showed up at 11:30) and we missed out on an event we were supposed to attend with friends due to it. But, today Emma came home and doesn’t want to continue her lessons with him anymore. I suggested we reach out to him first and see if we can reach a resolution as she only has 3 sessions left. Emma agreed.
We’ve tried to communicate with Mr. Martins from the beginning and we tried to address things with him directly today first, but instead of even acknowledging our concerns, his response was to report it to you.

We choose your facility because it seemed like a good fit, with the right amount of classroom & driving. Your prices were higher then some of the others, but we paid it wanting the very best for our daughter.

From the beginning Mr. Martins has been very condescending to me, and to my daughter. Before we ever started, I got lengthy emails on what we are not allowed to do, what he is not willing to do, his lack of flexibility, etc. I was extremely frustrated by his responses and our exchanges that I didn’t want to continue with your services, and I even expressed this to him.

For example: I asked if we could please not do every weekend and utilize some time during the week, maybe vary the hours to get different driving experiences. I completely understood his reasoning for not doing rush hour, night driving, etc.... But during week at 3pm is completely doable. His initial response was “yes, most kids aren’t available until 3pm during the week, but since you are only 12-13 miles away, we could possibly make that work. It all depends on students driving abilities.” Then in later emails, he said, “he will schedule Emma’s lessons on weekends.”

He wanted to do Saturday’s at 8am. I explained to him, every weekend does not work for our family as she does a lot of late night babysitting and is in all honors classes and often has homework on weekends too. She is usually up until 11-midnight during the week, to about 2am on Fridays due to late night babysitting and homework, or on the off chance she has a friend sleepover. So an 8am start time is really difficult. And that Emma works extremely hard during the week and she does need to get some sleep. I ask if we could possibly do a noon start time or anything later. His only response was, “I will move it this time from 8 to 10.” We truly appreciated it. Then he proceeded to tell me come June, she won’t have that option. He only works from 7-noon. I responded back again, “that does not work for our family as Emma starts College at PVCC in June and will not be done until 1:30-2:30 everyday. And that perhaps they were not a good fit.” He replied, “let’s not jump the gun. Most students aren’t in her position, but if you don’t feel we will be a good fit, then that’s your call to make.”

I sent him a lengthy email stating we can give Saturday a try but that I was I frustrated because I just keep getting what he WON’T do, but never any solutions or other suggestions (like how will we handle June), except, “take it up with my supervisor.” I also explained that I knew he could not always accommodate our schedules, but if he could be a little more flexible and work with us on some, as in do some lessons during the week, we can make this a positive experience for all. I was looking for validation that we can work together. He never acknowledged that email or responded to it. It sent a separate email on another thread stating, “after a long discussion with my supervisor. I will start Emma’s lessons on 4/7.”

When initially corresponding with him, I informed him of what we have been working with her on, and how once I even took her down the 51 how she did really well. I only did it because it was 11:30 a.m. on a Tuesday morning. The timeframe worked and it was more like weekend traffic, and because my husband was out of town & unable to drive me to my Doctors appt. as I am recovering from my 8th surgery. He did thank me for sharing, but stated “he does not take his drivers on the freeway until their 9th or 10th lesson, because it’s the most difficult, and increases their anxiety, and that I was not allowed to do so again until he tells me otherwise. Which we haven’t. What we found surprising, was he did the exact opposite of what he said, and took her on the freeway her very first lesson. We were shocked to hear that, but also excited as that validated to us, she may be more advanced then some students.

Emma’s two lessons have included a big chunk of time standing around the vehicle with Mr. Martins telling Emma about what his other students are doing and their stupid mistakes. This is irrelevant. He should just be focusing on her. He’s constantly comparing boys and girls as well. None of this is a big issue.

Today’s email exchanges are below. I had to reiterate that she is not available the next two Saturday’s, nor at 8am as he kept telling Emma today he’d like to schedule her for an 8am slot. After her telling him she’s in school and attending the drivers class & orientation. It really shouldn’t be this difficult.

But, what we found offensive is the fact he keeps telling her she is an “aggressive” driver because she wants to do the spend limit. I understand his personal preference is to drive 10 miles UNDER the speed limit, and that he doesn’t agree with the posted limits, or laughs when it “$@!#% off other drivers.” First of all, I don’t believe he shouldn’t be pushing his views on my daughter or calling her “aggressive” because of it. Second of all, he could very well find himself in a battle of road rage. Not a good example to set. Third, according to our police friends, they will pull you over and give you a ticket for going so low. Lastly, my understanding is an aggressive driver is one who cuts people off, weaves in & out of traffic, doesn’t use turn indicators, and excessively speeds. Is that not true? Unless traffic dictates a lesser speed, shouldn’t my daughter be legally driving the posted speed limit?