Take driver ed classes or in-car driving lessons in Amherst, Bedford, Brookline, Hollis, Manchester, Merrimack, Milford, Nashua, and other surrounding towns. Our instructors are certified through the DMV, trained to follow our in-car curriculum, maintain good driving records, and have undergone a thorough background check. We have drive times available seven days a week (morning, afternoon, and evening). Plus, you'll enjoy the convenience of online scheduling and email or text reminders for your scheduled driving sessions.
Services
Selecting a Driver Education company is a very important decision that will impact the rest of a student's driving career. It is a trustworthy and reliable company. We are a family run business with a team of fully certified driving instructors and two 5-star safety rated vehicles. We have an excellent reputation here in Amherst and all throughout the entire Southern New Hampshire area.
All Non-US Citizens must appear in Concord for the first time when applying for a driver license. If you are not a US citizen and are over 18, you will need to review the criteria to dermine if you need to take driver ed classes. At 1st Gear, we require that the student have at least 10 hours of driving practice at home before starting Driver's Ed.
We ARE In-Person for classes and we have resumed Observation Hours with our program. Please plan to attend all classes in-person, as zooming in to a live class will not be allowed at this time. Age Requirements: The student MUST be at least 15 years and 9 months by the first day of the class they are registered in.
Do you want or need three points removed from your point assessment total (valid once every three years)? This course is NH state-approved in accordance with Saf-C 212.06. Take this course if you have accumulated at least three demerit points. Proof of the successful completion of this program shall, only for the purposes of suspension, reduce three points from the most recent point assessment total.
Reviews (12)
Anna Lanciani
Feb 21, 2022
Sonya Friar
Jan 13, 2022
Luke Malone
Dec 21, 2021
Wendy Sage-Matsis
Jul 27, 2021
Kari Headington
Jan 26, 2021
Both of my boys attended 1st Gear. They highly respected the instructors and felt well prepared for their test. The instructors had the perfect personalities to work with teenagers; fun, firm, with clear expectations. Communication was excellent, consistent and timely. I highly recommend this school!
Kathleen Rowe
May 25, 2020
Bethany Paquin
May 12, 2020
We drove 40 minutes so my son could take Driver's Ed at 1st Gear because we had heard excellent reports about the school. Both my son and I were pleased with all aspects of the class. He felt well-prepared and passed his written and road tests on the first attempt. He tested with about 10 others from him class and all passed. The instruction was organized, thorough and kept my easily-bored son engaged. The driving instruction was excellent, especially with owners/instructors Carl and Amber Ellis.
Jessica C.
Mar 13, 2020
Just yesterday, my daughter passed her driving test, and I have 1st Gear Driving to thank for that. They kicked off the course with what to expect from parents, detailed information about logging driving hours, key tips and tricks for calmly teaching your teen how to drive, and how to avoid common pitfalls while observing. My daughter was excited to attend the classroom sessions, and was able to schedule all driving lessons around her busy soccer and school activity schedule.
The owners provided so much useful information throughout the course, and I have them to thank for pumping my daughter full of statistics to keep her cognizant of her actions on the road. Most impressively, one of the owners was able to pick up on my bad driving habits through observing my daughter! And they were SPOT ON! I highly recommend 1st Gear Driving for your teenager for their honesty, flexibility, knowledge, and teaching techniques. We'll see you in 6 years for my son!
The owners provided so much useful information throughout the course, and I have them to thank for pumping my daughter full of statistics to keep her cognizant of her actions on the road. Most impressively, one of the owners was able to pick up on my bad driving habits through observing my daughter! And they were SPOT ON! I highly recommend 1st Gear Driving for your teenager for their honesty, flexibility, knowledge, and teaching techniques. We'll see you in 6 years for my son!
Susannah H.
Mar 13, 2020
Amelia M.
Mar 13, 2020
I just finished my classes a month ago. The instructors were all very friendly and patient with me during our driving lessons. During class, we moved quickly, but had room for discussion and questions. They were very thorough, and I was pleasantly surprised when I took both the official written and road tests, as they had well prepared me for driving and road safety recall. I highly recommend First Gear, and thank them for all they have done to shape me into a safe and informed driver!
Heather Scialdone
May 16, 2016
Cj K.
Aug 22, 2012
They are consistently many hours late in picking up students to drive - even at 8 in the morning! We thought scheduling an early appointment to drive would limit waiting around! They are inconsiderate to the students and families by being unreliable. They will then blame the student for not adhering to the set time when in fact they are the one at fault. Classroom time is wasteful and unproductive.
