The History of GDA
Georgia Driving Academy, Inc. (GDA) was started by Brad Barber in August 1995. Mr. Barber had grown up with his parents owning Barber’s Driving School in Columbus, GA. For over 40 years their school has offered automobile training. In 1994 Barber’s Driving School added a truck driver training program. Mr. Barber had spent approximately a year and a half working for his parent’s commercial driver training school in Columbus, GA (Accident-Free America), when he elected to leave to start his own school.
The first 180-hour Class A training program was offered by GDA on January 8, 1996. The class consisted of two students and to date, the school has graduated well over 15,000 Class A drivers. The first 70-hour Class B training program (formerly 60-hour program) was offered on February 24, 1997. The class consisted of one student and since this time GDA has graduated over 1,200 students through this program.
Dedication to Program Improvements
From 1998 – 2016, GDA was awarded its first accreditation through the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education (COE is a nationally accrediting body). GDA continues to strive to be the leader in the commercial training industry. Over the years, GDA has invested in updating its training equipment and building its own training DVDs.
GDA Columbus Opens
In the past 25 years, a lot of great things have happened at GDA including opening up its second campus in Columbus, Georgia in July 2011. Since 2011 the location has continued to grow and on March 15, 2020, GDA’s Columbus Campus moved to its new facility located at 3625 Manchester Expressway, Columbus, GA 31909. The 2,750 square foot office/classroom is adjacent to the Steven’s Transport CDL test site and GDA’s CDL training range.
Georgia Driving Academy Shows Continual Growth
On August 26, 2016 GDA was purchased by Education Affiliates, becoming a part of a nation-leading large educational group. This was a great move for the company as the knowledge and expertise will enhance GDA’s operations and training for years to come! Since opening, GDA has trained over 18,000 men and women at both campuses.
Due to the success of our training in the Atlanta area, on November 22, 2019, GDA’s Conyers Campus moved to its new facility located at 1035 Sigman Road, NE, Conyers, GA 30012. The 6,600 square foot office/classroom facility allows for continued growth and quality training for students who come for training each month.
