Our History
Teaching Drivers Education For Generations!
- Spring 1962: Ray Ries completes the Secondary Teachers’ Driver Education program at the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. He is now qualified to teach Driver’s Ed at the high school level.
- Summer 1962: Ray introduces Driver’s Education in Fond du Lac by teaching the first 19 students Classroom and Behind-the-Wheel at Goodrich High School (now formally known as Fond du Lac High School).
- 1967: Ray begins a twenty year legacy of full-time Driver’s Education instruction at Goodrich High School.
- 1968: The State of Wisconsin passes a law requiring students under the age 18 years old to take Driver’s Education.
- 1969: Ray establishes Ries Driving School, teaching Classroom part-time in the basement of his home. The fleet of vehicles for the first Behind-the-Wheel program was a 1969 Ford Galaxy. Family members help run the business at home as they are able.
- 1986: Ray’s son Joe becomes a licensed Driver’s Education instructor through the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh.
- 1989: Joe Ries acquires Ries Driving School and begins offering full-time private Driver’s Education.
- 1991: Ries Driving School moves to 339 South Main Street.
- 1992: Joe hires the driving school’s first office manager.
- 1994: Joe begins the remodeling process at 339 South Main Street, expanding the service area to include Waupun and Campbellsport.
- Presently: Ries Driving School’s headquarters are at 643 S Military Road, and services communities in a 40-mile radius providing Classroom and Behind-the-Wheel programs. The Behind-the-Wheel fleet of vehicles consists of six cars. All of which are Toyota Camry Hybrid’s (2020 as well as 2022 models).
- In the summer of 2020, Joe’s oldest son Evan becomes a state licensed Behind-the-Wheel and Classroom Instructor through the Department of Transportation in the State of Wisconsin, becoming third generation.
Linda Dake2024-01-12My 2 teens took the course at the same time. They were really nervous with one of their driver instructors. She constantly grabbed the steering wheel during their driving lesson.They both said they didn’t want her as their instructor again. None of the other instructors did that. I would suggest you stay with the same instructor on all 6 drives, if possible.
Alyssa Wittig2024-01-04My experience with Ries Driving School was great. The staff were always friendly and helpful. I enjoyed the text reminders they had, allow with the app you were able to use to schedule appointments. The driving instructors were wonderful as well.
DJ2023-12-12Absolutely amazing! The process was really easy, and the instructors were very kind and helpful . If you want to get your license, go to this place.
Julie Schmidt2023-11-19Great communication and friendly staff!
Kimberly Cumber2023-11-17Overall a good place. My son enjoyed most of his instructors and felt they were good teachers. Would have been 5 stars but scheduling was a nightmare. The app would cancel appointments and reschedule automatically without me knowing almost every time I made one through the app. One time, we weren't able to make the new time and canceled at the last minute cause I didn't see the change in time, and we were charged for it. However, when I called about the app continuously canceling appts, they waived the $50 cancelation fee. After having 3 lessons canceled, i stopped using the app and just called in to schedule. Also, there aren't many options for appts locally. Most availability was in another city. Would be nice if the student was picked up instead of me having to make arrangements to get them to a lesson like other driving schools do. I will say, though, that the staff was really great at trying to make things work for us. The place itself is 5 stars, but the app they use is garbage.
Sara Millard2023-11-10Very helpful
Denise Munro2023-11-06All three of my children went through Ries Driving School over the past ten years. They are professional and I would highly recommend them to anyone.