About SMDS

Mission Statement

At South Metro Driving School, our mission is to set the standard of Excellence in Driver Education. With decades of experience and a team of professional educators, we are committed to helping young adults build confidence, develop safe driving habits, and grow through real-world driving experiences. Our dedication to safety, professionalism, and personal growth ensures every student leaves our program ready for the road ahead.

Southbound view of the City of Apple Valley, Minnesota, busy highway with multiple cars traveling in both directions, surrounded by green trees and a few signs indicating a speed limit of 45 miles per hour.

Our Beginning

South Metro Driving School was founded to meet the growing need in our community for high-quality Behind-The-Wheel driving instruction. For decades, our instructors have been helping students learn to safely navigate roadways with confidence.  With recent closures and demand already exceeding the capacity of existing programs in the Twin Cities South Metro, SMDS is excited to help students achieve their driving goals. By opening our school, we are stepping in to ensure families have access to experienced, trusted educators who understand the unique needs of new drivers.

Our goal is not only to fill the gap but to raise the bar—offering a premium driver education service that combines the latest vehicle safety technology, flexible scheduling, and professional instruction to provide every student the confidence to succeed on the roadways. We are Excellence in Driver Education.

View of a city skyline with tall skyscrapers and U.S. Bank Stadium in the foreground, taken from a highway with cars traveling on it during a clear day.
An intersection with traffic lights showing red, street signs for Pilot Knob Rd and 140th St, and trees with green and autumn-colored leaves on the sides.

Our Vision and Goals

South Metro Driving School is dedicated to continuous improvement and growth in the field of driver education. Our future plans include offering a comprehensive online classroom option, expanding services to include permit testing, and enhancing our instructional tools with cutting-edge technology. We pride ourselves on professionalism, flexibility, and the ability to meet the diverse needs of families in our community. Our instructors bring decades of teaching and coaching experience, paired with modern vehicles and safety-focused training, to give students the best possible foundation. As we expand, our commitment remains the same: to provide top-quality driver education that builds confidence, ensures safety, and prepares young drivers for a lifetime on the road.

A highway view with green overhead signs indicating directions for North and South routes, exit information, and a few cars driving under bright blue sky, with a rural landscape in the background.

Service Area

South Metro Driving School is based out of the ISD 196 attendance area within Dakota County, Minnesota.  Our target market of student drivers includes the cities of; Apple Valley, Rosemount, Eagan, Lakeville, Burnsville, Inver Grover Heights, Farmington, and any city within a short drive from Apple Valley.