Best-rated Driving School

Every decade or so, a company comes along that changes or transforms an industry. The Defensive Driving Academy has met and surpassed the overwhelming demand for defensive driving instruction. Our "anticipation" based concepts have pierced this cultures below average standards for acceptable driving behavior.

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Certificate of Appreciation presented to DDA Director Gerald Murphy to acknowledge his decade long consultancy with CHOP's Center for Injury Research and Prevention and the Young Driver Research Initiative - dedicated to reducing death and injury from young driver-related crashes through scientific research and development.

DDA Inc. News & Company Timeline

  • January 2022, DDA and Auto Lenders form a partnership that will mutually benefit their customers by offering License Testing out of their dealership in Exton, PA, along with no-haggle pricing, a lifetime engine guarantee, and a hassle-free car buying experience that people love.

  • December 2021, with over 1,000 Google Reviews, a 4.9 rating in Newtown Square, and a 5.0 rating in Exton, DDA has and always will remain the best-rated driving school in PA.

  • June 2020, with 13 DDA cars, more than 40 instructors, and over 200 two hour driving lessons each week, DDA remains the #1 Private Driver Training School in the Commonwealth of PA.

  • Summer 2018, DDA adds another 30hr Defensive Driving Classroom in Haverford Township, PA.

  • January 2018, DDA does more Third Party License Tests in 2017 than any of PA's driving schools.

  • January 2017, DDA becomes the first driving school in PA to open a second testing facility in Exton, PA, where Third Party Non-Commercial License Testing is administered by appointment only.

  • Summer 2016, DDA opens a new corporate office/test facility in Newtown Square, PA, where Third Party Non-Commercial License Testing is administered via certification with PennDOT by appointment only.

  • Spring 2016, DDA adds another Corolla to the fleet and becomes the only driving school in our Commonwealth to be awarded multiple agreements by PennDOT to perform Third Party Non-Commercial License Testing at 2 locations in PA.

  • Summer 2015, DDA adds two more new Corollas to the fleet in response to the continuing demand for lessons with license testing, so our students can test with DDA at the end of their driving lessons.

  • Winter 2015, DDA adds two new Corollas to the fleet in response to the continuing demand for lessons with license testing, so our students can test with DDA at the end of their driving lessons.

  • Fall 2014, another 30hr Defensive Driving Classroom goes live at Notre Dame Academy, Villanova, PA.

  • Summer 2014, another 30hr Defensive Driving Classroom goes live in Delaware County, PA, during the "Hot Fun in the Summertime" celebration at Interboro High School.

  • November 2013, CHOP Researchers and DDA Director, Jerry Murphy, discuss the latest findings related to "Why Teens Crash" with CBS Eyewitness News Reporter Jenn Berstein.

  • Fall 2013, DDA continues it's a consultancy, which began in 2008, with CHOP's Center for Injury Research and Prevention and the Young Driver Research Initiative - dedicated to reducing death and injury from young driver-related crashes through scientific research and development.

  • Summer 2013, DDA customer reviews surpass the 100 testimonials mark, more than any other driving school in PA, and is proof positive that DDA is #1 in customer satisfaction.

  • Summer 2013, DDA adds three new Corollas to the fleet in response to the overwhelming demand for driving lessons with license testing.

  • 2013, DDA becomes one of only a few Private Driver Training Schools in PA, certified by PennDOT to license-test high school students when driving lessons are completed.

  • February 2012, DDA goes live on WBAL FM to discuss the recent pile-up tragedy in Florida and how defensive driving can save lives. Listen to DDA's defensive driving tips on WBAL FM now.

  • Fall 2011, DDA expands, adding Defensive Driving Courses for those who already have a license but need a refresher or a certificate for points, speeding, employment, or upcoming court hearing.

  • Summer 2011, DDA adds another new Corolla to the fleet and a brand new look to our Academy!

Defensive Driving Academy, Inc.

DDA Today ~ Learning to Anticipate never looked so good !!

  • March 2011, DDA helps B101 FM's Tiffany & Michael Morning Show confront their very own traffic anchor, Bill Tafrow, who is in denial about his "offensive driving" issues.

  • Fall 2010, our 30hr Defensive Driving Classroom goes live in Marple Township, Delaware County, PA.

  • In August 2010, DDA added three new Toyota Corollas to its fleet. Safety, reliability, and six-way driver seats make these vehicles the most comfortable for students of any size leaning to drive.

  • January 2010, DDA unveils innovative new Seniors Programs, becoming the first private driver training school to assess and quantify Senior Citizen drive-havior and provide regularly scheduled, enjoyable sessions that help fulfill every Senior's desire to remain independent.

  • December 2009, 2010, 2011and 2012, DDA is asked to coordinate a winter weather/educational defensive driving event for Land Rover of the Main Line and Willow Grove.

  • August 2009, DDA Founder Gerald Murphy is asked to travel to Illinois to share his teen driving expertise and innovative concepts with one of the largest Auto Insurance Companies in the U.S.A.

  • Fall 2008, DDA's website, 30 hr online course, on-line registration, online scheduling, email control ctr. And the internet payment ctr. Help DDA becomes the most popular driver training program in our area.

  • September 2008, DDA adds one of the oldest and largest organs and tissue procurement organizations in the U.S. to its list of corporate/fleet defensive driving clients.

  • June 2008, DDA goes live with an online, fully licensed (PA Department of Education) 30 hr Online Course and becomes the first driving school in PA to accept credit cards online.

  • Spring 2008, CHOP (The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia) asks DDA to join an advisory panel dedicated to reducing death and injury from young driver-related crashes through scientific research and development.

  • Fall 2008, DDA pioneers its After-License programs, innovative sessions geared toward those who already have a license, but realize that there is room for improvement via fender benders and close calls.

  • Fall 2007, DDA adds a 1.5 billion dollar pharmaceutical company to its list of corporate/fleet defensive driving clients.

  • 2007, DDA implements a real-time on-line scheduling program that allows coaches, call reps and corporate fleet clients to schedule or view appointments from anywhere in the world, 24/7.

  • 2006, DDA designs the CPI© Assessment - a quantitative crash predictability product that has since revolutionized the methods fleet safety managers use to train and manage vehicles and personnel.

  • 2005, after many requests, DDA designs and distributes STUDENT driver removable decals to our students, which help reduce the beeps and foster a safer practice environment on the road for all.

  • 2004, DDA again becomes the first to provide written post-lesson feedback and require customized driving homework from students via our weakness diagnostic RFI (Room for Improvement) Assessment.

  • 2004, DDA opens for business, becomes licensed by the PA Department of Education, and begins with one car and one instructor, DDA Founder, G.V. Murphy.

  • 2001, the DDA mantra Learn to Anticipate is coined, and DDA designs and integrates the "6 Places" concept (crash likeliness being relative to drive environment risk likeliness) into DDA's curriculum.

  • 1999, G. V. Murphy realizes crashes aren't accidents and discovers the formula for "what makes a crash," which, when taught to students, can work in reverse to stop crashes.

  • 1998, G. V. Murphy creates the SRL Method, a Right-of-Way concept designed to instantly simplify decision-making and rapidly boost confidence for drivers at any level who wish to improve.

  • 1988, after an intense rear-end collision, future DDA founder, G.V. Murphy, creates the SLTS technique, which helps increase awareness and reduce rear-end collisions for himself and future DDA Students.

  • 1944, DDA's RFI© (Room for Improvement) Assessment is born. Initially, a driving checklist for military personnel, this document will be modernized decades later and help DDA become the first driving school to use a formal weakness diagnostic tool for feedback and homework. Future students, parents, and DDA Coaches can all be on the same page and Learn to Anticipate.

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