We offer a comparison of Vanags Driving School and Presto Driving School, updated in December 2020.

The table shows CSDD statistical data and the most important information about each driving school. Below the table we have provided a detailed comparison analysis – read it carefully!

	PRESTO Autoskola		Autoskola Vanags
Year of establishment	2011		1996
	Branch locations and number
Riga region	34		3
Zemgale region	9		-
Vidzeme region	6		-
Kurzeme region	12		-
Latgale region	5		-
	Team
Lecturers	32		-
Instructors	35		29
Training languages	LV, RU, ENG		LV, RU
	CSDD statistics for the last 6 months (01.12.2020)
Theory	98.38%		87.10%
Driving	B: 42.68% A: 33.82% Others: 27.78%		B: 44.44% A: 50.00% (6 pers.) Others: 60.00%

Training quality

What do CSDD statistics mean and what is the difference between them? A lower percentage means a higher probability that additional funds will need to be invested in training for retaking exams, for example the category B theory exam – EUR 12.63, driving exam – EUR 38.52.

Theory
The theoretical training level of Vanags Driving School is 87.10%, while Presto Driving School ranks 1st among the large driving schools in Latvia with 98.38%. The industry average statistical indicator during this period is 95.14%. As seen, Vanags is below the industry average, therefore by studying at Vanags Driving School you have a higher chance of paying an additional EUR 12.63 for a repeated theory exam.

Driving
The practical (driving) training level of Vanags Driving School in category B is 44.44%, while Presto Driving School shows 42.68%. The industry average statistical indicator during this period is 38.36%. As seen, both Vanags and Presto results are above the industry average.

Service

By service we mean the level of services included in the price. Service significantly differentiates one driving school from another.

Unlike Vanags Driving School, Presto Driving School offers:

• The contract can be reviewed online before signing;
• The contract can be concluded remotely (distance contract) without visiting the school branch;
• All driving school services can be fully paid on the website;
• Free instructor change during practical training – you can obtain your driving license faster and cheaper;
• The Presto profile clearly shows theory and practical lesson schedules;
• Electronic document flow (administration) – faster results;
• A total training cost calculator on each training category page;
• Articles on the website and videos on the YouTube channel to supplement theoretical and practical training for all categories;
• Video assistance about every training nuance and the services offered by the driving school;
• Ensuring continuity of training (catching up missed lessons, relocation) throughout Latvia;
• The largest network of driver medical commissions in Latvia;

Promotions

Sometimes a driving school’s special offer actually attracts a student to the driving school. It is important to review all terms of the offer before purchasing the service. You can read more about driving school promotions and coupon tricks here.

Presto Driving School offers its students a permanent promotion – a reward for purposeful training – the driving school covers its students’ CSDD (theory and practical) exam costs up to EUR 51.15 if the driving school exams are passed within the agreed time.

Contract analysis

The total cost of training is a considerable investment, therefore it is important to carefully review the contract and, if necessary, show it to a lawyer to ensure that it does not contain various risks or additional obligations (hidden costs).

The contract of Vanags Driving School includes a clause stating that if the driving school theory exam is not passed within 3 months from the start of training, a contract extension fee of EUR 7 is applied. The extension is valid only for one month, and the fee must be paid again if the exam is not passed during the extension month.

The Presto contract describes the entire training process in detail, leaving no room for hidden costs. You can review the Presto Driving School contract here. The contract term is 1 year.

Reviews

Reviews of Vanags Driving School can be viewed both on the homepage of their website and on each instructor’s page. Vanags Facebook reviews can be viewed here.

In contrast, Presto has the largest collection of authorized reviews in Latvia; they can also be sorted by instructors, lecturers and the driving school. No other Latvian driving school website has as many authorized (genuine) reviews as here.

Complaints

The complaint portal sudzibas.lv is popular but sometimes not objective. The reader must evaluate the context – the nature of the complaint, the driving school’s response, and whether the case was resolved or unresolved. It should also be considered that there is a correlation between the size of a driving school, the number of clients served and the number of complaints.

Sources:

presto.lv
www.csdd.lv
www.sudzibas.lv
vanags.lv
autoskolas.com

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