Automatically collecting Google reviews after the practical driving exam
Here's how to ask students for a review at exactly the right moment — without any manual effort on your part.
Why timing is everything
As a driving school owner, you know the feeling: the moment right after a student passes their practical exam is pure gold. They're beaming, slapping an "I passed!" sign on the car and sharing the news with everyone they know. That's exactly when a Google review will be at its most genuine and enthusiastic. Ask two weeks later and the excitement has faded — your request goes unanswered.
How to automate the process
Connect your student administration system (such as RijROBS, Rijles Planner or Studento) to a simple automation. The moment you mark an exam result as 'passed', a message is sent automatically. Here's how the flow could look:
1. A WhatsApp or SMS message within 30 minutes of the result, with a congratulations and a direct link to your Google review page.
2. A follow-up email reminder after 48 hours if no review has been left yet.
3. A quick question asking whether you can share a photo of the new driver on social media, with a tag to your Google profile.
Practical tips that actually work
Keep the message short and personal. Mention the name of the instructor the student drove with — this noticeably boosts response rates. Use a shortened review link (available in your Google Business Profile under 'Get more reviews') so students land in the right spot with a single tap. Then make sure to respond to every review within 24 hours, including critical ones. Prospective students read those replies just as carefully as the star ratings.
What it gets you
Driving schools that do this consistently often rack up 3 to 5 new reviews per week, instead of a handful per month. That gives your visibility in Google Maps a serious boost — especially in the areas where you teach.
Curious what an automated review flow would look like for your driving school? Feel free to request a free example set-up and see straight away what's possible.