Company Name
Drive Carmel
Founded
1999
DMV License
Drive Carmel is licensed by the California
Department of Motor Vehicles, License E2117.
Owner/Operator
CHP Capt. William Perlstein, Ret.
CHP Ofc. Richard Richards, Ret.
Instructors
Bobby Richards
Chris Perlstein
Jake Gregory
Martha Fowles
Matt Weed
Pete Maiden
Wim Sprenger
Mission
It is the mission of Drive Carmel to provide the highest level of instruction to our students. Through this commitment, we endeavor to instill the knowledge, skills, and habits that will prepare our students to be safe drivers for life.
Logo
Our logo is a tire forming an abstract C, together representing our company name Drive Carmel. The three ocean waves are a nod to our founding location along the beautiful Monterey Bay. Each wave represents one of the safety triads that we endeavor to instill in our students: knowledge, skills, and habits.
Organizational Values
Safety First: We prioritize the safety of our students, instructors, and communities above all else.
Excellence in Education: We are committed to delivering high-quality drivers education and training that empowers students with the knowledge and skills needed for safe and responsible driving.
Respect: We treat everyone with dignity, courtesy, and fairness, fostering an environment of mutual respect and understanding.
Integrity: We operate with honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct in all aspects of our business.
Continuous Improvement: We embrace innovation and strive for continuous learning and improvement in our programs, services, and operations.
History
Drive Carmel was founded in 1999 by Mary Gifford, who sought to bring high-quality driver education to the Monterey Peninsula.
In 2005, retired CHP Officer Richard Richards began teaching for Drive Carmel. He developed and shaped a comprehensive behind-the-wheel driver training program that remains foundational to the school’s success today.
In 2015, CHP Captain William Perlstein joined Drive Carmel and revamped the school’s driver education program. Upon Mary’s retirement in 2018, the company transitioned to new ownership, with William and Richard partnering as owner and operator. This marked a new era of standardization in training, procedures, vehicles, and design. A team of instructors equally passionate and dedicated to the highest quality of instruction was formed.
In 2025, Drive Carmel acquired Drive Rite Driving School in Hollister, California, from longtime owner Martha Fowles. Drive Rite was widely recognized in that region for its decades of driver education and community involvement.
The combined efforts and dedication of Drive Carmel’s founders, instructors, and staff have established the school as the California Central Coast’s premier driving school.
Community
We are proud to be part of our community. We do not advertise—our business is driven almost exclusively by word of mouth. We proudly sponsor school and student events, programs, sports, and organizations, especially those programs that keep our students safe, like Sober Grad Nights.
Training Vehicles
It’s not just our training program that sets us apart from every other driving school in California; it is our vehicles. We train in modern, safe, highly visible SUVs. We do not compromise when it comes to inspecting and maintaining our vehicles. They are fully insured and independently inspected annually by California BAR-licensed maintenance shops.
Safety
As former members of the California Highway Patrol, we know too well the potential tragic consequences of unsafe driving behavior. Safety is not just part of our Mission and our Organizational Values; it is our culture. We have taught more than 10,000 students—some who get in the car not knowing the difference between the gas and the brake—and we have a perfect safety record.