tl,dr: Let my driver's license expire, needed a new one, plus a car to use for the driving test…read more Nova Driving School was fantastic. I moved back to Chicago after 14 years in SF and finally needed to get my license again, mainly so I could help my aging folks in Southern Indiana if I needed to. I don't own a car, and I didn't want to borrow one from friends, so I looked for a driving school that also provides a vehicle for the test. Nova kept coming up in the ads, searches, and on Reddit. But I still needed an instructional permit to drive for the driving test. I went to the downtown DMV, took the written and vision tests, and got my instructional permit. I bought Nova's "2HR BTW + ROAD TEST" package on their site, which included 2 hours with an instructor and the use of the car on the day of the DMV. Called a coordinator, and they got me set up for a Friday morning. I'd show up at 6am at the Elston DMV (closest to me), practice the route in their car, then take the driving test. I arrived at the DMV at 6 AM, where I met an instructor named Jamie. He provided an overview of the driving test, explaining what the examiners look for and what questions they might ask. After that, we switched sides, and I got behind the wheel for the first time in 20 years. I was relieved to find that everything came back to me. Jamie took me through the two variations of the route used for the test. The route was very short, consisting of about four to five turns. There was no parallel parking or interstate driving involved. (Please note that this is specific to the Elston DMV; other branches may have different procedures.) Another student arrived, so we picked him up, and I sat in the back while that student drove the route a few times. Then, two more students joined us, making it three in the back and one in the driver's seat, with the instructor in the front. Each of us drove the route 2-3 times, and we had the opportunity to ask questions. As my appointment time approached, I returned to the front seat and went for another round of the two main route variations. Got into the DMV showing my text confirmation of my appointment. They won't let you enter without revealing either the email or the text proof of your appointment. And this branch doesn't take walk-ins. Stood in the first line to get the paperwork reviewed. I went to the camera line to get a photo, then waited, went to a counter, had everything reviewed, filled out more paperwork, signed more things, went over to pay at the cashier, came back, and got my paperwork for my driving test. Went outside to wait to take the driving test. Note that you can't stay inside the building so dress warm if it's winter. The other guys had less complicated paperwork, so one was in line for the driving test. The other one was in front of me. Then I was next. But this is mixed in with all the different people taking the written test. I waited an hour for the car to come back from the other guy and then got in. The instructor drove me around to the back parking lot. He stepped out, I took the driver's side, and got in line, the line of cars. I waited about 40 minutes in the car in line to get my assigned examiner. They had about 4-5 working that day across 3 lines of vehicles. I was finally at the front; the examiner who was the same woman who had helped me with the paperwork got in. We went exactly the route that Nova had reviewed with me several times. At the end, you have to park in a wide test parking space, then after that you park in angled parking with the rest of the other cars, with completed driving tests, but awaiting results. I choked on the question about which way your wheels point if you are facing uphill/downhill, and which side of the road you are on. Overthinking myself. But still passed thankfully. Examiner gets up, out, and leaves, and goes on to another driving test. 10 minutes later, another person comes out with my temporary driver's license and hands it to me, and I'm done. The real one arrives in 2-3 weeks. The $245 fee was definitely worth it for having a car provided, receiving two hours of driving experience on the exact test routes, and having them handle the appointment scheduling. And Jamie the instructor was clear, patient, and at ease in explaining and repeating all things we needed to keep in mind. I procrastinated on this for a long time and felt foolish when I realized how simple and straightforward the process was. If you're in a similar situation, make getting a new driver's license one of your goals for 2026 and call Nova.

My daughter used them 6 years ago and the program was great. We naturally decided to use them for…read moremy next daughter and it has been a shit show. Save your $. It is so poorly run now. No one calls u back if you do get someone they put u on hold for long periods. Arghhhhh I believe They take on too many students now so trying to get driving time is a nightmare. Plus they change times and you either have to take the adjusted time or lose appointment. Will not be using them for the next two kids. Save your headaches and frustration. Tooooo much $$$$$$ for such chaos. Has to be better program.

I'm a local New Yorker that has been living in Chicago for the past 6months. At the time of finding…read moreNova driving school, I was looking to reach a goal that most transplants already have achieved: getting a drivers license. Now, I mentioned this earlier but New Yorkers are hard to win over- we don't trust easily, we're not kind, we're weary mostly of anyone who is too kind to us. I bought the ultimate beginners package- and I read the fine print, almost begrudgingly: 2 hours per session. So here I was: in an awkward yet expected predicament. I knew I wanted to win- New Yorkers Win, and I was getting my license. But to sit in a car with another human who was going to tell me what to do- jeez. They had to be good. They had to meet my standard. They had to be the best. Edgar- I never knew your last name but I credit this achievement to you. Your professional, direct and welcoming demeanor won me over as one of the most patient teachers. You're up there with my high school English teacher, and my elementary Spanish teacher. I was behind the wheel with very basic experience- ready to be a passenger princess for the rest of my life. But your guidance and tenacity helped me achieve my "passion project". I appreciate Nova for hiring instructors like him. They care about their craft, they want their students to win, and of course hold them accountable with the skip fees (). Our car lessons were nothing short of professional and honestly as a new person to the Chicago area, it was another way for me to discover this beautiful vast city. I currently work at an organization where we promote job readiness skills, an essential for any new worker is to have their license. I will be counseling many newcomers as they make their transition into careers- and for those that don't have a license, I will recommend Nova Driving School Instructor Edgar (last name unknown) to be their instructor. Should Nova ever decide to remove Edgar as an instructor, they would be experiencing a loss. You rock man! Thank you. Mil Gracias

*update* I was given a refund for the lessons I had taken with the teacher who was inappropriate…read more Even though it took a while, we did come to a resolution, and the situation has been handled.

Had an absolutely great experience here. Everything was very organized and easy to schedule. My…read moredaughter actually enjoyed the classes and really benefitted from the one on one lessons. I ended up adding extra one on one lessons because my daughter is a nervous driver. It was great how he picks up from your house for lessons and how Brian gives the final road test. He's a great teacher , highly recommended

I took a class with Eddy and he is fantastic! He is super zen, explains things with drawings and…read morevisuals and it is just a great teacher. I was super nervous and I ended up feeling exciting about my driving. Highly recommended.

Well let's just start by saying I have never been behind a wheel. I signed up and payed for four…read morehours. The first two hours were great. I came back the next day to finish my other two hours and that didn't go well. My instructor Jose seem to become a little aggravated with my about my left and right turns. I told the coordinator I will need a new instructor. That didn't sit well with Jose. The guy called my phone private making jokes. I am to this day still receiving prank calls from him. He has given my number out to people and saying I'm selling furniture. So many people have been calling me prank since that day. I decided to change my number. I wouldn't recommend this place

My driving teacher Julio was the best! He made sure I learned everything and that I was…read morecomfortable! This school gets five stars just for having Julio as an instructor!

haven't used their services but I tried to get some information regarding their classes using the…read morecontact form in their website and also via email but did not receive any response. so I guess not so good customer service?

I just watched the state test video on Ride Chicago's YouTube channel in preparation for Day 2 of…read morethe basic motorcycle training class. Day 1 was fantastic. This was my very first time on a motorcycle. Henry and Natalie are great instructors. Sure, they know how to ride and instruct on skills. What they are really good at is developing relationships to aid in instruction. They learn your name, encourage and provide guidance in a way that keeps your head in the game. I highly recommend Ride Chicago.

i signed up for the 10 hours adult lesson, just got my dl today. instructor li he was really great,…read morereally patient and thoughtful with the way he teach. overall great experience, highly recommended.

The front desk lady is rude and unprofessional…read more The instructor is not good at explaining the rules or give you clear instructions. He is also very unprofessional . He even left the car in the middle of the class to talk with his contractor ( I saw other review mentioned the same issue too) or left before the class end. Not worth the money at all.

Gustavo was my behind the wheel instructor and he was amazing. Was very engaging through our 6…read moredrives and taught me everything there was to know about the road.

My experience with Excel Driving School. I registered my child for 10 driving classes. When I…read morecreated the schedule, I asked for the 10:00 a.m. time if possible for all classes. The receptionist said that the first 5 classes were available at that time, and then we would make the schedule for the remaining 5. On the first day of class, we were ready for class when the driving instructor contacted me and told me that there was a cancellation and asked if I wanted to go early. I told him no. Then when 9am came around, he sent me another text telling me that my class is at 9 a.m., not 10 a.m. and that they would not return my money because I didn't show up on time. I wanted to check the website to have proof that my time was at 10 a.m. and their website didn't even work. I told the instructor by text, and he just replied that he doesn't know when the website is going to work. I had to call the next day because the first class was on the 4th of July and the Excel Driving school office was closed. The receptionist acknowledged the confusion and rescheduled his first class. We finally went to his class, and the instructor was on the phone the entire time while my son drove. I told my son that if it happens again that the instructor is on the phone. Instead of paying attention, we would report her. The next class, the instructor, never showed up. She never replied to my texts, and I called Excel school to make the report. We wasted 1 hour waiting for her, and the school contacted me until the next day to give me another date. At that moment, I canceled the classes and asked for a refund of 9 classes since my son only took one class. They agreed, and after 6 days, they returned only the money for 8 classes. I contacted the school, and they lied, saying that my son had 2 classes. The school knows that his instructor did not make it to the second class. I have a text from the instructor who texted me 2 hours later the day she didn't arrive to class, apologizing because something had come up. I am upset because the school charged in advance, and I do not want to return the full money for the classes my son did not take.

I am 22 years old and I am female I am at Paul Simon…read moreChicago Job Corps Center. I've only been here a month but I like the program.

Ultimately, the only reason why you should EVER go to Chicago job corps (Paul Simon) Is to get a…read moreG.E.D. The staff is disingenuous, hypocritical, racist, rude, and sexist. The concept of respect is absent and they will treat you like a tool and expect you to respect them back. There are positives, but the negatives massively overlap. If you're Caucasian don't come here. If you're a man don't come here. If you want a job in your trade don't come here, by the time you leave you will still be unemployed and if you do get a job it's more than likely not your trade skill. Your stuff will get stolen if careless, if you're normal all the Gangbanging and all the ghetto kids will annoy the ever loving f**k out of you. Generally, Paul Simon Chicago Job corps is an option if you're on your last leg and you need a job so bad that you'll turn full masochist when you come to this facility. There are good people but they ultimately feel like sprinkles on a sh** Sundae. (My counselor tried to tell me not to even write this review, just so they can meet their quota) Basically don't talk to anyone, be a kissa#*, get your s**t and go if you want to be successful here.