Choosing a driving school in practice means much more than entertaining driving school videos on social media or what is trendy at the moment. It determines how long the path to obtaining a driver’s license will be and how much it will ultimately cost. Driving schools differ significantly from one another in their work organization and training content.

Therefore, it is worth comparing Autoskola Galvenais ceļš and Presto autoskola based on all possible criteria that genuinely affect the result. This article was updated: 2026-03-03 16:11:56.

	PRESTO Autoskola		Autoskola Galvenais ceļš
Year of establishment	2012		2021

History

Presto was founded in 2012, while Galvenais ceļš was founded in 2021. Galvenais ceļš became popular thanks to its social media activity, while 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.

Training quality

Galvenais ceļš provides training in LV, RU. Presto – LV, RU, EN.

Galvenais ceļš teaches only 5 categories – A, B, BE, Code 95 and ADR, while Presto offers all categories, including the full spectrum of professional driver training, except ADR (dangerous goods).

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

Galvenais ceļš does not create its own distance learning products and purchases them from macam.lv (Credo Autoprieks) and edrive.lv (Einšteins Driving School), while Presto develops its own distance learning products but does not sell them to other driving schools.

The latest CSDD statistics show that in distance learning and in-person theory exams, Presto students achieve 76,49%, while Galvenais ceļš – 71,84%. The difference is significant and highlights a consistent trend in favor of more structured preparation, program exclusivity, and better, controlled learning outcomes.

Galvenais ceļš 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 knowledge tests 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 driving training, Presto’s result is 29,85%, while Galvenais ceļš – 31,92%. The statistics of both Presto and Galvenais ceļš have improved over the past 6 months. Presto driving exams are now conducted by examiners (currently only in Riga), no longer by instructors, allowing consistent improvement in evaluating learning outcomes and providing instructors with guidance on how to improve the training process. Meanwhile, among Galvenais ceļš instructors there are no longer driving school managers, who have apparently also become examiners, and this has yielded results.

Galvenais ceļš is very active on TikTok, mainly discussing difficulties in CSDD driving exams. There are many videos, the information is not structured, turning into an informational dump. Only one question arises for Galvenais ceļš – do you teach so poorly that so much energy must be spent on driving exam issues and other minor traffic regulation nuances? It would be understandable to compile the most common mistakes repeated over ten years, but recording a video about every minor detail that catches the eye is, in our opinion, not useful.

Of course, exam statistics do not provide information on how many attempts were required to pass the exams or the related costs. Sometimes a stricter exam will mean higher expenses but also greater public safety. The main emphasis should be on the ease of mastering the driving school program, which determines the overall time and cost consumption.

Promotions

Galvenais ceļš has several permanent promotions. Below each promotion we indicate the corresponding Presto offer.

1. EUR 20 discount for full prepayment of training. This looks more like a coupon that anyone can apply for.

Presto does not have such a promotion. During the Tuesday evening social media Live show, new clients who sign a contract receive study books (EUR 23) as a gift, providing real value in reducing costs.

2. With a pupil or student ISIC card – 10% discount on theory and registration, as well as a 50% discount on theory for all students of Riga Arkādija Secondary School.

Presto has a support program for Latvian educational institutions, open to all schools. It provides a free distance learning product for all school applications.

3. With the 3+ Family Card – 10% discount on theory and registration.

Presto provides a 100% discount on the theory course; only registration must be paid.

4. Come study in Riga! If you live in another city – we will compensate public transport.

Presto operates almost everywhere in Latvia, offers the best distance learning product in Latvia, and at the same time we are always open to discussions. Contact us and we will find joint, non-standard solutions!

Presto has never boasted loud marketing campaigns that typically reduce consumer benefit, but has always offered support to various social groups where it is most needed (large families, students).

Service

Galvenais ceļš driving school does not have a digital customer service system, which means that students will not have any conveniences and will have to spend significantly more time and money on training compared to Presto.

The lack of service is clearly indicated in several places in the Galvenais ceļš contract: “cancellation of the service can be done by phone or email” and “the client is obliged to submit a document number, otherwise a place in the group cannot be guaranteed, as registration in the CSDD system will not be possible.” In digital systems, such matters are handled with one click.

Your relationship will not begin with a remote contract conclusion within 1 minute, there will be no fast remote payments, no electronic daily instructor selection (no comparison, no competition), no training progress reports, no absence management system, no internal and convenient documentation. All this will require several additional days of phone and email communication with Galvenais ceļš driving school.

Presto was the first in the industry to introduce an electronic work organization system and has been developing it for more than 10 years. Moreover, Presto exclusively offers its clients the largest collection of thematic tasks in Latvia, which will be useful for assessing your understanding of traffic regulations and will effectively prepare you for the driving school and CSDD theory exam.

You may also like the opportunity to recommend the school to your friends and acquaintances – from Presto you can receive EUR 20 for each recommendation. Any energetic, social person can fully cover their driving training costs solely through recommendations.

Contract analysis

Before signing, Presto allows you to ознакомиться with all category contracts, while Galvenais ceļš does not provide such an opportunity. You can review the Presto category B contract before signing here, while the Galvenais ceļš contract can be obtained for review upon request (if you are lucky).

Introduction

A contract clearly reflects the maturity of a driving school. It outlines the learning and work organization process and shows a balance of responsibility between the parties. It may also contain provisions that later become unpleasant surprises. As we have repeatedly pointed out, the choice of a driving school would be completely different if consumers read the contract before making a decision.

Galvenais ceļš has managed to describe its processes in 2 pages of contract, while Presto’s contract is significantly longer. We have conducted an analysis of the Galvenais ceļš contract and at the end have mentioned the main differences compared to Presto.

Unethical marketing.

You may be quite shocked by a note on page 2 of the contract, which is not related to any contract clause: “*By signing the Contract, the Client expresses consent that during the Training process the Driving School is entitled to create video and photo materials with the Client’s participation, and the Client agrees that the Driving School has the right to use these video and photo materials for marketing purposes, including in printed form or by publishing them on websites and social media.”

It now becomes clear how the school has managed to produce such a volume of marketing materials with testimonials and praise. This clause crosses all ethical boundaries. We are convinced that for a large number of students this would be categorically unacceptable. It also raises the question of how many students even know that their information is being used without their knowledge. This may also be the reason why the contract cannot be reviewed in advance.

Higher driving deposit.

The Galvenais ceļš contract clause 2.1.3 provides for a driving deposit (advance payment) of EUR 450. Considering that from a total cost perspective it is cheapest to first pass theory and then start driving, it must be concluded that EUR 450 is a significant financial burden before even starting driving and is very disadvantageous. Such an amount effectively forces you to undertake driving training during theory, which in turn increases the number of driving sessions (see Presto open days).

Presto’s driving deposit (advance payment for driving lessons) is payable within 3 weeks in the amount of EUR 150. Subsequent payments for driving lessons are made as needed, based on actual consumption, therefore the financial burden during the training period is significantly more affordable than at Galvenais ceļš.

No refunds.

You will be very surprised that if you discontinue your studies and withdraw from Galvenais ceļš driving school, the money paid to the driving school is not refunded (clause 2.5). Considering that the contract stipulates several advance payments to the driving school, this is a regrettable way of profiting, leaving refunds entirely at the school’s discretion.

Presto driving school ensures a refund at any time, charging a commission fee of EUR 18. Many clients change their plans during training, so you will certainly appreciate this flexibility.

Binding to 1 instructor.

Without an electronic driving system, students are bound to 1 instructor, who pays the driving school the industry-accepted client fee (in Riga EUR 100–240). This is indicated by clause 3.2.9, which requires choosing 1 instructor for driving lessons from the list available on the website. As a result, the driving school ranks among 98% of other driving schools where your driving training begins with a disadvantage.

Bilingual training.

Galvenais ceļš is primarily a school focused on a Russian-speaking audience. However, according to contract clauses 3.1 and 3.1.1, Galvenais ceļš undertakes to provide theoretical training bilingually. This effectively means that training takes place in one language, while answers to questions may be given in another, slowing down the main audience.

Presto also values this audience. We have separated Latvian and Russian training groups to explain complex material as clearly as possible.

Endless theory exam retakes.

Galvenais ceļš is entitled to postpone taking the CSDD theory exam until the Client retakes and passes the theory exam at the Driving School to confirm acquired knowledge, paying the fee provided in contract clause 2.2.4. Since clause 2.2.4 does not exist, this requirement cannot be fulfilled and your training becomes stalled.

The contract states that a repeated theory exam at Galvenais ceļš costs EUR 15.00, but no more than 3 times – further attempts are free of charge. Considering that the contract evolves from the school’s actual practice, should you be concerned about endless retakes?

Lengthy completion of driving training.

Students who fail the driving exam at Galvenais ceļš Driving School 2 times in a row must complete at least 2 additional driving lessons. Thus, the contract imposes an additional financial burden on you. Although the Presto contract does not impose such an obligation, Presto would also support this practice, as the driving school exam should not turn into a lottery.

Differences.

The Presto contract is slightly longer but better structured, providing extensive information about electronic processes at the driving school and ensuring a balance of responsibility between the parties (liability for cancelled lessons, refund options, structured description of processes).

Unique, contract-based bonuses available only at Presto driving school are 2 – Presto takes responsibility for lesson cancellation by the instructor in the amount of EUR 20, and in the case of a justified complaint, refunds the money for the training stage (Western practice).

Costs

We offer to review the main cost items at both driving schools and calculate the approximate total cost difference.

1. The contract registration fee (EUR 25) at Galvenais ceļš is EUR 5 higher than at Presto (EUR 20).

2. For the theory course, both distance and in-person training at Galvenais ceļš have a single price – EUR 50, while at Presto it differs: distance learning – EUR 25, in-person – EUR 60. Since 90% choose distance learning, for this group theory will cost EUR 25 more, while for the remaining 10% – EUR 10 less. You pay more for a weaker, less engaging product with poorer results.

3. First aid (EUR 55) is EUR 10 higher – EUR 65.

4. Medical certificate (in Riga – EUR 38) is EUR 5 higher – EUR 43.

5. Traffic regulations book set (EUR 23) is EUR 5 more expensive – EUR 28.

6. Galvenais ceļš does not have an electronic driving system – there is no competition among instructors, therefore the student is sold to the instructor – + EUR 100–150 (additional driving lessons).

7. Driving start is rushed (large driving deposit), leading to learning theory during practice – + EUR 50 (additional driving lessons).

Considering that almost every service at Galvenais ceļš driving school is more expensive, the official state exam statistics, the number of exam attempts, driving session statistics, especially in large cities, and differences in training organization systems, you could overpay up to EUR 350 in category B at Galvenais ceļš compared to Presto driving school.

Reviews

The reviews section on the Galvenais ceļš Driving School website is located here. However, reviews at Galvenais ceļš can only be submitted about instructors and administration, not about the driving school itself. The driving school also has Instagram, Facebook, and Google reviews.

In contrast, reviews for Presto driving school on the website can be read here, and they can only be submitted after authorization. This is the largest collection of genuine and verifiable reviews in Latvia. They can be filtered by instructors, lecturers, and the driving school. Presto reviews can also be read on Instagram, Facebook, and Google.

Conclusion

When choosing between Galvenais ceļš and Presto driving school, the most important factor is not visibility on social media or loud promotions, but the quality of the training system, financial terms, and organizational structure. These factors determine how quickly, predictably, and at what total cost a student will obtain a driver’s license.

Presto has long-term market experience, greater branch availability, the widest range of categories, and a developed digital work organization system that reduces administrative burden, accelerates processes, and gives students greater control over their learning process.

Theory exam statistics show consistently higher results, which together with a structured distance learning product and thematic tasks create a stable preparation system with more predictable and significantly lower overall costs.

Sources:

presto.lv
www.csdd.lv
galvenaiscels.lv
autoskolas.com

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