Northern California Driving School offers individualized adaptive driver training with skill, patience and a sense of humor so you can learn to drive with hand controls.

If you have mobility issues that require driving controls, or driving aids as they are called in the modified vehicle industry, Northern California Driving School can teach you to use these devices safely.

Many disabled veterans, paraplegics, amputees, people with spinal cord injuries, or chronic weakness in their legs such as with ALS or progressive MS are able to continue to drive with adaptive equipment. Handicapped driving is a real possibility.

It is highly recommended you be evaluated by a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS). Either your doctor or your Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist will write a prescription for the particular driving aids you need prior to selecting and purchasing your driving aids. Once your driving aids are installed, you must possess a valid restricted license to drive. Here's where we can help as a certified driving trainer. If you have a valid California Drivers License, or have passed the California written test, the eye exam, and have a Learner's Permit, we can begin to train you in our instructional vehicle.

Hand Controls

Hand controls allow drivers to operate gas and brake controls by hand instead of foot. Original pedals are not affected, so the vehicle can be driven normally by other drivers. The most popular mechanically operated hand controls use a single horizontal rod that pushes towards the pedals for brake and down towards the lap for acceleration. There are many different styles of hand controls that require varying strengths and abilities.

First-time purchasers of hand controls should obtain driving instructions from a qualified and trained driver instructor.

We have a driver training vehicle equipped with hand controls and a special knob on the steering wheel to assist with some adaptive needs.

We do accept insurance payments in certain situations, so please call for information on scheduling and pricing.

Welcome to the Northern California Driving School

Northern California Driving School is a "new" old business, operating for nearly four years in Shasta County. Bob Krehbiel, pictured here with his granddaughter Missy, brings Northern California Driving School 30 years of CHP law enforcement driving.

Qualifying Experiences

• 30 years of CHP law enforcement driving
• taught ongoing refresher courses to other CHP officers
• taught adult driver training courses since 1975
• lead officer for an Officer Extraction Team designed to rescue fallen officers in emergency situations
• special Field Training Officer*

*As a Field Training Officer training regular new officers, Bob was assigned the few new officers who were in danger of being washed out of the Academy due to an inability to grasp the necessary skills required to pass. Every officer under Bob?s command was able to overcome their challenges and move on to become a permanent officer on the force.

As a result of his experience on the road, combined with a love of people, Bob has a strong desire to help people get not only the basic instruction in safe driving, but also to expose them to as many difficult and challenging situations as possible. Bob is very aware of the pitfalls that await both new and experienced drivers.

Over the years Bob has worked with, and been able to assist, individuals with a variety of physical and mental challenges. While operating in Shasta County, Bob was under contract with a state agency to take adults out for a specific number of driving lessons. These adults had a wide variety of mental challenges ranging from being ?slow learners? to those who had suffered physical trauma to the head.

Our Philosophy

All students are treated as the individuals they are. Every person learns at a different speed and each student comes in with different skills and experience levels. Many people also have special needs, both physical and mental, which need accommodation.

Bob is extremely patient, kind and never loses his temper; the teaching techniques he uses reflect the dignity and respect to which he knows each person is accorded.

Bob believes that a little humor mixed with a large touch of patience makes learning to drive both fun and achievable for most people.