Popular Modesto driving school closes its doors suddenly, other schools pick up slack
After 27 years of teaching Modesto how to drive, Love’s Safe Driving School has abruptly closed its doors.
Last week, the Modesto business on Oakdale Road posted a message on its answering machine telling callers the business had closed. No reason for the closure was given.
Love’s Safe Driving School & Traffic Violator School was started in February 1992 by retired California Highway Patrolman and sheriff’s deputy George Love and his wife, Donna Love. Known for its heart-shaped logo on its cars, the business provided one-on-one driving instruction and held traffic violation classes. According to its website, it had a fleet of 12 vehicles.
Company founder and namesake George Love passed away in 2013. His wife has kept the business going since.
The message left for callers on the school’s answering machine said, “We have decided to close our business effective immediately. We are no longer taking students new or returning. If you need to speak to someone, please leave the student’s name and phone number. We apologize for any inconvenience.”
Emails sent to the company address were returned saying the school was still open on a limited basis and that they were “trying to get some students finished.” Messages sent to Donna Love were not returned.
The sudden closure presented an opportunity for other driving schools in the region. Precision Driving School in Riverbank posted a message on Facebook that said, “Precision Driving Schools is accepting students (from the recently closed) Loves Driving School. Give us a call and pick up where you left off!!”
Representatives for Precision said the school has received “a lot of calls” since Love’s closure.
Stewart Peters, owner of the Modesto-based Code 4 Driving School, said he got a heads up from Love’s about its impending closure at the start of last week. His school, founded in 2008, has since received about 10 students from them a day.
He said former Love’s students need to obtain proof of hours from the school to have them transfer over and not need to retake training.
