Look up the requirements for getting your license before you sign up. My sister-in-law needed to…read moreget her license as quickly as possible. We asked them how quickly can she get her license and the lady told us that it depends on the student. My sister went the next day, studied the exam and passed their practice exam. My sister-in-law felt that she can pass the exam so she asked if she can go take the test. The lady said come back tomorrow morning and we can schedule you. My sister-in-law decided to go that afternoon and just take the test herself, she took it and passed it. She called the next day to see how quickly they can schedule her driving hours. They said they did not have availability until a month from now. My sister-in-law decided to just go take the driving test the next day and she passed. I feel like the school just wanted business, didn't vet the students experience but not provided valuable information on what was really required. The driving hours requirements are only for 21 years and under. It's only worth it if you never drove or you never seen the driving book. Save your $500 if your family can teach you. You will not get your money back if you decide to not go with their ridiculous schedule..

not really driving schoolpay $300! !!!!!!!not really driving school just give you a printed out…read morestack of work sheets and tell you to finish it on time our else you ain't getting your license and pay another 300 and start over! they gave me a driving log parent were always working soo they couldn't take me to drive. office lady told me she couldn't do nothing about it soo they just made told me that I had to pay 300 dollars more unacceptable! online is your best option it's less than 100 dollars and you can do it from the Comfort of your home.

Pedro with Nova was a great instructor. I did the 1 hour behind the wheel instruction with road…read moretest. He showed me the route and all the things to remember while taking the road test. We drove the route multiple times. And I passed first try with flying colors. Definitely recommend.

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 wife was very disappointed with the brash and rude treatment that was given her…read more I was hoping this instructor will be better than the one she Encountered in Lockport. I will be calling you to contest the payment that I provided in advance. What a mistake to have her go thru so much aggravation due to rude action and lack of patience by the instructor. This mistake will be argued by me in the future. If there is a survey or BBB directive I will comment negatively towards the School

Absolutely love Tom and Julie! Amazing people and great instructor. My daughter felt super…read morecomfortable taking her driving test after Tom drove with her and reassured her. Will definitely be going to them again for my other daughter and most likely my son.

BEWARE - SCAM ALERT Selene is a scammer. She took advantage…read moreof my disability and scammed me out of my money. She promised to help me get my license, but after I paid her, she disappeared and blocked both me and my family. Sadly, I'm not the only person she's done this to. Please be careful before trusting her or giving her any money. If there was a 0 star option I would! Shame on you!

I took my father so he can get help to study the written test in Spanish. At first Selene was very…read morehelpful but soon health problems came about for her but we did understand. We only made it to 8 visits because she wouldn't show up or communicate when she would be in or not. She did say to us will finish her service with my senior father but only took the money and didn't follow through. I called, texted her and no answer just blew us off! I went last week to visit office and it's empty so I guess she closed shop because there was no call or signage letting her customers know what's going on! Not the way to run a business!!

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.

I recently took the beginner MSF course with Ian, Jay, Ron and Kevin, and it was so much fun! They…read morewere so nice, extremely helpful and very patient with each of us, and definitely made it feel a lot less intimidating to get on a bike. I really appreciated all their help and had the best time, and definitely feel more confident riding! Thanks guys!! :)

Cannot recommend Ride Chicago enough! My very precious boy…read morehas wanted to ride a bike for years. At 18 yrs old we finally relented. I don't doubt his skill as he's an excellent car driver. I do doubt all the crazies on the road! And I want my kiddo to last until old man adulthood! So I wanted him to have as much practice as possible from people who truly care. Freddie saw Jay for riding skills / lessons for the last couple of weeks and wow! Not only is my boy hooked but I have a deeper respect for these guys that take their time to take the students seriously. As a Mum who wants her kiddo riding as safe as possible, I thought nothing of multiple lessons and of course the onsite licensing class. Alden in the office was brilliant at working out the scheduling that worked with our crazy calendar and we now have a fully licensed rider who sailed through the test with zero marks taken off. My son will have a break for the winter and I will once again see if Jay can give him a refresher in the late Spring before the season really starts to give my kiddo every success to enjoy his riding! Thank you Ride Chicago! You gave Freddie the world he was hoping to ride in!

Wanted to report that Michele Edison is AWESOME and got me where I needed to be to be road test…read moreready. I thankfully had some experience going in, but she really helped me consider things I hadn't before, and most importantly, corrected bad habits that I had learned along the way. I have obtained my license today and consider myself a success story for the driving school. The website is confusing at times, but the instructors are top quality. If you live around a location and are looking for a good driving school I would recommend it.

I just had trouble trying to find available dates for an adult refresher class and the agent was…read moretrying to find my availability and it turns out that Nicole from Nova school found me some dates in late August, after being reviewed the same day by my boss, I was at work all day, Nicole told me I had until the end of day to pay and mind me I am still at work, she wouldn't confirm the dates and the name of my instructor- Needless to say I will have to Hard pass on that driving school that I feel has a total lack of consideration for their clients times and schedule! Now I have requested these dates off for nothing! And I can't change them ! That's unacceptable! My time is limited and I will not go ahead with this driving school!