Choosing a driving school in practice means much more than just the starting price of the theory course. It determines how clear the learning process will be, how confidently you will be able to prepare for the exams, how long the path to obtaining a driver’s licence will take, and how much it will ultimately cost.

Therefore, it is worth comparing BAVA driving school and Presto driving school according to all possible criteria that truly affect the result. This article was updated: 2026-02-20 09:45:36

	PRESTO Driving School		BAVA Driving School
Year of establishment	2011		2023

History

Presto is a driving school founded in 2012, while BAVA was founded in 2023. BAVA became popular after introducing the intersection analysis platform bava.lv and purchasing a Porsche Taycan for training purposes, whereas Presto gained recognition by introducing a digital system in the driver training industry in 2016 and by being the leader in theory exam statistics for the past 7 years.

Quality of training

BAVA provides training in LV, RU. Presto – LV, RU, EN.

BAVA offers only 3 categories – A, A2 and B, while Presto offers all categories, including training professional drivers.

BAVA offers only category B in distance learning, while Presto offers the widest range of distance learning products in Latvia (AM, A, A1, A2, B (LV, RU, EN), BE, C, CE, Code 95, C95, D95).

Out of 200 driving schools in Latvia, Presto and BAVA are 2 of the 5 that have their own category B distance learning products, having received CSDD registration respectively as the 4th and 5th in order. BAVA offers its distance learning product to other driving schools, while Presto does not.

BAVA publicly states how modern its distance learning is. If it is considered modern compared to schools that do not have it, then by selling it to others, their training also becomes modern and the school no longer stands out.

If this is claimed to people who have not seen any distance learning product, should they simply take it at face value? At the moment, only Mustangs has published video examples of its distance learning on its website, while BAVA and Presto have only shared individual fragments on social media.

Taking a constructive approach, BAVA’s product highlights presenting theory from a practical perspective, but otherwise it does not differ significantly from the products of Einšteins, Credo and Mustangs. “Modern” is just as subjective a term as “professional” and “high-quality”. In Presto’s view, modern means continuous development, which is why in 2025 Presto began offering a second, improved version of its distance learning.

The latest CSDD statistics currently show that in theory exams Presto students achieve 75,57%, while BAVA – 74,22%. The difference is not dramatic; however, it indicates a consistent trend in favour of more structured preparation, program exclusivity and better controlled learning outcomes.

BAVA does not train foreigners, unlike Presto, which has so far affected its statistics. Considering that in 01.2026 Presto introduced a category B distance learning product and thematic exercises for knowledge testing in English, it is expected that Presto’s exam statistics will continue to improve and maintain first place among the largest driving schools in Latvia.

In practical driving training, Presto’s result is 30,61%, while BAVA’s is 42,16%. Presto’s statistics have increased over the past 6 months, while BAVA’s have declined. Presto driving exams are now conducted by examiners (currently only in Riga), no longer by instructors, allowing for more consistent evaluation of learning outcomes and providing instructors with guidance on improving the training process.

BAVA indicates that bava.lv is used in training; however, it must be clearly understood that information about intersections is only a small part of the overall curriculum. Without the ability to analyse and understand, this information has very limited value. It is certainly not what CSDD methodologically expects.

The influx of BAVA students no longer allows it to maintain a high standard. As of 20.02.26., BAVA’s website shows 76% in theory and 53% in driving statistics, but these figures have not been updated for a long time.

The last time BAVA had 76% in theory was in August 2025. We did not find data indicating when BAVA had 53% in driving exams, as we began monitoring this driving school only a year ago. Similarly, Presto could highlight its historical records (under the old system) – 98.34% in theory and 53.60% in driving – but that would not be relevant. Overall, BAVA creates a clear impression that data is being heavily manipulated.

For some time, BAVA driving school used the purchased Porsche Taycan electric vehicle for training, and now only for conducting exams. In a training context, this vehicle differs significantly from those used in real life and in CSDD exams, which may negatively affect your exam statistics. Although in practice a student must be able to drive any car, effectively you are being offered car rental – to drive a specific vehicle.

Similarly, Presto driving school was the main sponsor of the Latvia Ferrari tour in 2023 due to close ties with the Latvian Ferrari fan club. Therefore, a driving school could create such a Ferrari “rental” offer, but it would have little to do with meaningful, effective training.

Of course, exam statistics do not provide information about how many attempts were needed to pass exams or the related costs. Sometimes a stricter exam may result in higher expenses but also greater public safety. The main emphasis should be on how easy it is to complete the driving school program, which determines the overall time and cost consumption.

Promotions

In BAVA’s marketing, a very low starting course price and a low driving lesson fee are usually highlighted, making it easier to decide to begin training. This is an understandable step to attract an audience with lower financial literacy in highly competitive conditions, as initial costs are the first thing most prospective students notice.

As we point out during Presto open house days, such an audience is easily misled. BAVA’s contract registration fee (EUR 30) is EUR 10 higher than the market price (EUR 20).

If we analyse the dumping of driving lesson prices – training from EUR 14 – it must be concluded that 99% of applicants will be disappointed, as there is only one instructor with such a low price and your chances of getting that instructor are close to zero (see Contract analysis below). It is clear that such an instructor is subsidised for advertising purposes, as the market price (EUR 40) significantly exceeds the stated price (EUR 28).

Presto’s offer logic is not based on the starting price. Greater emphasis is placed on the overall training journey – how quickly you can obtain a driver’s licence and how much it will cost. This difference becomes noticeable not at the registration stage, but in the middle and at the end of the training process, when calculating total expenses.

Presto does not offer promotions, except during Live shows on social media on Tuesday evenings. New clients signing a contract receive study books as a gift.

Service

BAVA’s manager, Ronalds Burnickis, publicly states that BAVA’s digital service surpasses all driving schools. His investments in BAVA amount to approximately EUR 40,000 (the bava.lv intersection platform and the bavaautoskola.lv electronic workflow system), providing a significant advantage over other driving schools specifically through programming.

For your reference, Presto’s investment over the past 10 years exceeds EUR 700,000, possibly approaching EUR 1,000,000, as Presto was the first to introduce a digital system that has been partially copied by several driving schools – Mustangs, Einšteins, Credo Autoprieks, and now also BAVA. The CSDD training application has also been influenced by Presto. Perhaps we have not widely publicised our developments yet, but we will do so soon. Most investments relate to the ability to monitor training processes, identify student mistakes and methodically improve training materials.

Based on investments and platform capabilities, BAVA is currently among the TOP 5 driving schools in Latvia, but it would theoretically need several years to reach the TOP 2 (currently – Presto, Einšteins). Overall, BAVA’s digital service for clients does not exceed 50% of what Presto offers.

Shared service features include remote contract signing and electronic payments. BAVA’s calendar is not a fully developed driving organisation system. We point this out below in the Contract analysis section.

BAVA does not provide first aid courses or medical commissions. Presto offers first aid courses in almost all of Latvia, as well as the most affordable medical commissions in Riga and Ventspils.

While BAVA provides intersection analysis free of charge to its students, Presto offers the largest collection of thematic exercises in Latvia to its clients, which are useful for assessing CSN knowledge and preparing well for driving school and CSDD exams.

For recommending the school to friends and acquaintances, exclusively with Presto you can receive a reward of EUR 20 for each referral. Any active, well-connected person can fully cover their driving training costs solely through referrals.

Contract analysis

Before signing, Presto allows you to review contracts for all categories here, while BAVA provides only the B category contract. You can review the Presto category B contract before signing here, and BAVA’s here.

Introduction

A contract clearly demonstrates the maturity of a driving school. It not only reflects the organisation of training and work processes and the balance of responsibility between the contracting parties, but may also include clauses that later turn out to be unpleasant surprises. As we have previously stated, if consumers evaluated driving schools based on the favourability of their contracts, the rankings would look very different.

We have conducted an analysis of BAVA’s contract and summarised the key differences compared to Presto at the end.

Limitation of liability regarding dumped driving prices.

As mentioned earlier, BAVA is among the few schools that use low driving lesson prices in their marketing. Considering customer complaints, BAVA limits its liability in clause 2.12, clearly stating that it “does not guarantee the lowest driving lesson price indicated on the website… the prices on the website are for informational purposes…”. Therefore, the promotional offer is misleading.

Unlawful payments.

Despite stating in the subject of the contract that it organises training in accordance with Cabinet of Ministers Regulation No. 358 “On training of vehicle drivers and driver training programs”, BAVA grossly violates clause 36.1, which stipulates that payment for all services related to training (including driving lessons) must be made (only) to the driving school. Presto has at its disposal an explanation from CSDD, as the initiator of the regulation, since misinterpretation of this clause has continued for almost 10 years.

Considering that the instructor is an individual entrepreneur (self-employed person or company) providing services to the driving school under a business contract, the driving school and instructor are two separate parties. Why did CSDD initiate and establish this procedure? To ensure full control of the training process by the driving school, separate individual training from official driving school training, and promote tax compliance.

Therefore, regardless of the method of payment (cash with receipt or transfer) directly to the instructor, it would be unlawful. Possible consequences include revocation of the instructor’s licence and annulment of the training process by CSDD during a police inspection. Most such training is not even registered in the CSDD training application. This distorts statistics and leads to incorrect decisions at the national level regarding traffic safety improvements. From a consumer perspective, no complaints can be submitted to the driving school or CSDD regarding unregistered training.

The contract allows such unlawful activity in numerous clauses. It is evident that BAVA’s driving training model is built not around client interests but around the interests of instructors. To recover client fees (see above), instructors are unlawfully allowed to collect payments directly from clients. Additionally, unregistered income increases the school’s attractiveness to instructors, ensuring peak earning periods for them.

Encouragement to take the exam in Jelgava to improve driving exam statistics.

BAVA’s contract clause 3.10 provides that the school driving exam may be taken in another city different from where training began, provided that at least 4 academic driving lessons (2 sessions) are completed in that city. This indicates that BAVA encourages taking the exam in another city – Jelgava – where it is considerably easier, establishing a formal procedure for this. Undoubtedly, this increases state driving exam statistics. A simple form of statistical manipulation.

Higher driving deposit.

BAVA’s contract requires a driving deposit (advance payment) of EUR 200–230 (Jelgava, Riga) within 2 months (EUR 69 – within 2 weeks, EUR 138 – within 1 month). At the same time, clause 4.12 states that the theory exam may only be taken after payment for 10 (20 academic hours) driving lessons, amounting to no less than EUR 400.

Considering that from a total cost perspective it is cheapest to pass theory first and then begin driving, EUR 400 is a significant investment before even starting driving and is relatively disadvantageous. This effectively forces you to begin driving during the theory phase, increasing the number of driving lessons required (see Presto open house days).

Presto’s driving deposit (advance payment for driving lessons) of EUR 150 is payable within 3 weeks. Subsequent payments are made as needed, based on actual usage, meaning the financial burden during training is significantly more manageable than for a BAVA student.

Accelerated theory training

Although regulations (Cabinet Regulation No. 358) provide for completion of theory within 1 year, BAVA’s contract clause 4.4.6 sets the total period at 5 months. There are also 5 intermediate deadlines for distance learning, imposing a very high study pace. Considering that the average time to obtain a driver’s licence is 6 months, many may not realise how difficult this will be to achieve.

Unlawful early start of driving training

BAVA’s contract clause 4.6.4 states that driving training may begin after payment for at least one driving lesson. Regulation No. 358, clause 55 clearly states that driving training may only begin after the person has acquired basic knowledge of traffic regulations (rules on priority, mandatory and prohibition signs, traffic control, starting and changing direction, vehicle positioning on the roadway and driving through intersections).

This means driving training may begin only after completion of Module 3 / Lesson 4. Therefore, this reflects irresponsible organisation of training contrary to regulations, affecting the student’s psychological state during training and traffic safety.

Paid money is not refunded at all

You may be very surprised to learn that if you terminate your studies and withdraw from BAVA driving school, your paid money will not be refunded at all (clause 4.9.1). Considering the numerous advance payments required by the contract, this represents an unfavourable financial condition. Clause 4.13 also states that paid funds may only be used for driving school services.

Presto provides refunds at any time, charging a EUR 18 commission fee. Many clients change plans during training and will certainly appreciate this flexibility.

Differences and conclusions

Presto’s contract is significantly shorter and easier to understand. There are only 3 grounds for termination by Presto – delay in deposit payment, malicious damage to property, or unlawful actions. In contrast, BAVA’s contract may be terminated for more than 30 different violations, including minor ones, such as late payment for in-person classes or theory exams (clauses 4.16 and 4.17), which may result in suspension or cancellation of training.

Two unique, contract-based bonuses available only at Presto are: EUR 20 compensation if a lesson is cancelled by the instructor, and a refund for a training phase in the case of a justified complaint (Western practice).

Two unlawful provisions have been identified in BAVA’s contract. It is only a matter of time before CSDD and PTAC identify them. Additionally, during a CSDD or police inspection, your training may be deemed non-compliant and annulled. This is the last thing you would want. Ignorance does not exempt from responsibility.

Costs

In terms of starting price comparison, BAVA may appear attractive because communication emphasises a low entry barrier; however, the theory course accounts for no more than 5% of total costs.

1. BAVA’s contract registration fee is EUR 10 higher than Presto’s; therefore, the lower theory price has minimal real significance. The low driving lesson price also proved inaccurate.

2. BAVA does not have an electronic driving allocation system – there is no competition among instructors, meaning the student is effectively assigned to an instructor – + EUR 100–150 (additional driving lessons).

3. Early driving start and theory learning during practice – + EUR 50 (additional driving lessons).

Considering official state exam statistics, number of exam attempts, driving lesson frequency especially in large cities, contractual sanctions and organisational differences, you may overpay up to EUR 300 in category B at BAVA compared to Presto.

Are you still concerned about “free theory”?

Reviews

The BAVA Driving School review section is available here. Reviews displayed on BAVA’s website are selected and published by the school itself, so their authenticity cannot be independently verified. The school also has Instagram, Facebook and Google reviews.

In contrast, Presto driving school reviews on its website are available here, and reviews can only be left after authentication. It contains the largest number of genuine and verifiable reviews in Latvia. Reviews can be filtered by instructor, lecturer or driving school. Presto reviews can also be found on Facebook and Google.

Conclusion

Both BAVA and Presto represent a modern approach to driver training, but with different philosophies. BAVA focuses more on an accessible starting point, whereas Presto emphasises a structured, methodically guided process with consistent results and predictable training progress.

For those whose priority is simply to start training as quickly as possible, BAVA’s approach may seem more attractive. However, those who look at the entire journey to obtaining a driver’s licence more often choose Presto – not so much because of the starting price, but because of a clear result.

Sources:

www.presto.lv
www.csdd.lv
www.bava.lv
www.bavaautoskola.lv

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