My son took the online course with MADS and it was adequate. However, for the behind-the-wheel course, we decided to go to another school with far better scheduling availability. However, obtaining the "Classroom Completion--Notice of Transfer" form--that we needed by law, apparently--was like extracting a tooth. It wasn't that MADS was begrudging us for jumping ship. Rather, Jim, whom I'm guessing is the owner, was simply overwhelmed or unable to deal with the newfangled computer technology. He sent a screenshot of the form that was not submitted to DMV, and the new driving school wouldn't accept that. It took nearly a week of many ignored text messages and screenshots, unanswered phone calls to Jim (but no voice messages--MADS voicemail was full) for him to finally realize that he needed to merely hit the "submit" button on that screen for the form to go to the DMV, who would then forward to us. Jim, when I was able to get him on the phone, finally, even suggested that the form was lost at DMV. So I spent a good hour on the phone with DMV to track it down. What a colossal waste of time for something that should've been automatic! Ultimately, I was disappointed by how Jim handled the entire mess. On the one hand, he did his best. On the other, DMV said that MADS should've directly given us that completion form when my son completed the online course. This seems very unprofessional of MADS not to have. So, MADS seems like an average driving school, but a bit technologically challenged, overwhelmed, and not responsive. Had Jim simply listened to the problem and reacted responsibly--or apologized--I would've given the school 3 stars, or not written a review at all. read more

After I failed the first driving road test, I decided to have Jim as instructor for my behind the wheel course and that was the right choice. Jim provided me with the right driving practices and rules. He is very professional and patient when giving instructions. The cars are easy and comfortable to drive. He was also correct with the time schedule we had agreed before. I passed the test easily and took the confidence of driving thanks to Jim. Highly recommend Mad Area Driving School for taking classes. read more

Jim is a very good instructor. He takes the time to explain things thoroughly and patiently. It was easy to learn all the ins and outs of the behind the wheel test. I passed it in my first attempt! The cars used were very modern (2020 Lexus!), comfortable and easy to drive. Highly recommend Mad-Area Driving School. read more

Jim was an excellent and patient instructor He was able to tell me what to focus on and how many lessons I would need ahead of time. I had no driving practice other than his lessons and I passed the road test without an issue. There was also a minimal wait time for lessons. read more

Mad Area Driving School completely failed to provide me with any service whatsoever. First, I tried to contact them by email, but all they would reply is that I needed to call them. If they won't help customers by email, why do they publish an email address on their website? So I took the extra time out of my day to call them, and we scheduled an appointment for an instructor to pick me up for a driving lesson. When the time came around for the lesson, I was standing at my living room window looking out over the street, waiting. Twenty minutes later, when there was still no sign of them, I called for an ETA, thinking maybe they were running late. No one answered their office phone, so I had to leave a message. They never showed up, nor called for directions, nor made any attempt to contact me. I didn't hear anything back at all until the end of the following day, after normal business hours. By this point I had given up on them and already scheduled lessons through another company, so I didn't want to waste my time talking to them. But they called three times in less than an hour, so I finally answered just so they would stop interrupting my evening. The representative on the phone identified himself as Jim from Madison Area Driving School (who I believe is the owner), then simply said, "You called?" He didn't seem to have a clue who I was or what he was supposed to be calling me about, even though I had left a pretty clear message. I tried to tell him I was going with another company and no longer needed his assistance, but he pushed so I gave him the time and address of my appointment and explained that they had stood me up. He immediately insisted that they were there, I assured him that they hadn't been, and he again insisted that they were. I said that I was there, so I KNEW they hadn't been, and that I didn't want to waste my time discussing it further; his only response was to hang up on me. Now, even though I was frustrated, the owner could have salvaged the situation by simply apologizing for the mistake and trying to figure out how it happened -- in other words, by showing even a modicum of basic customer service skill. Instead, he all but called me a liar. Despite that, I still want to extend the benefit of the doubt and assume that the owner was just going with what the paperwork said, not intentionally lying to me. But if the instructor had, say, made an honest mistake and went to the wrong address, why didn't they call me right then? They had my phone number. If he had just called, I could have given him directions and this whole issue would have been fixed before it even started. I also want to make it clear that, though I was getting pretty frustrated with the phone rep (justifiably, I think), I remained reasonably polite throughout the conversation; I was not shouting, swearing or insulting him in any way, even though he was all but calling me a liar. Hanging up on me was completely uncalled for. I can't comment on their instruction technique, but their office staff seems to be completely incompetent, and their customer service couldn't get much worse. The only way they could possibly fail more than they already have is if they try to bill me for the lesson they skipped out on (they haven't so far, but I'm watching my mailbox). If you need driving lessons, I've had a mostly positive experience with my new instructor at Four Lakes Driving School. But avoid Mad Area Driving School like the plague. read more

Jim is an excellent instructor. The instructor knows very well how to teach and is very patient. I took 5 lessons from the school and successfully cleared my road test the first time. I had a great experience with Mad Area Driving and would highly recommend taking classes from this school. read more

The man was late for our appointment for about 30 minutes. I was already on the bus station planning to go home but he called, and then I was thinking, then maybe give it a shot. He seemed like a one-man company, even though he stated he has 4 people working for him. We left several messages and never got answer back, including the last one for cancellation because of his dishonest attitude. I have major doubt for this "company"(?) because of this man, Jim, who tried to cheat me for paying more. When we called and made appointment, we were told the payment can be done for 1st class. Then for the 1st class, I asked him how we should pay, and was blamed for not bringing enough cash or check. I told him it wasn't our fault because he didn't make it clear, and also my husband was there to sort it out with you but you were way too late and my husband had to leave. In the end of the class, he told me I should pay him 70/75 for 1.5 hr class instead of 1 hr class for 49, the latter the price he gave us over the phone. His logic went like, 25 mins driving to/from pick-up and drop-off points, which is both downtown school area. I challenged him saying it wasn't what he said over the phone, and clearly we only had class for 1 hr. He then said I was "obviously very confused" 2-3 times. Another thing that bothered me was, he was being a bit touchy while trying to be funny. No, it felt creepy. No no. I immediately cancelled the next class, as long as I got home. Left message in his "company" and still got several calls on the day of the class. Probably never care to check his message? read more

I took 7 classes with JIM. He was very patient with me even after I made multiple mistakes and repeated the same instructions many times. I felt pretty comfortable after the classes and took my road test today. I Passed it. Thanks JIM for your support and guidance. read more

I learnt from Jim at Mad Area Driving and give it five stars! I had very little driving experience and wasn't sure how many classes I would need. After the introduction class he suggested I do four classes instead of six and I was impressed with their honesty. The instructor was very patient and taught good responsible driving instead of just telling you how to get through your road test. He explained the reasoning behind the rules which made it easier to learn. I would recommend them to a friend ! read more

I am not surprised by the bad reviews. This is a completely amoral company. My daughter contacted them for lessons without my knowledge. She has a disability and has been evaluated by a professional who said she could not learn to drive. She refuses to give up on the idea. I thought the instructor would have some ethics and tell my daughter that after her first lesson. Instead, he told me she could learn to drive and expressed skepticism that anyone would think otherwise. He has continued to give her false hope and tells her she is improving. This is not possible, as everyone who knows her is terrified to get into a car with her behind the wheel. She could harm herself or other people. I told him all this in an email which he ignored. I also left him a voice mail telling him to put a stop to this. He ignored that as well and has bilked her out of over $300. read more

Absolute worst customer service. Extremely rude. DO NOT USE THEM. You will regret it right away.

The service was excellent and instructor was very good at communicating what I needed to learn. I felt very comfortable and thought I would need more lessons but with his accelerated learning methods of teaching it only took me five lessons and they took me to the road test which I passed on the first try with a low score. Thanks, Mad-Area Driving School for making the process so easy to learn. read more