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    Nova Driving School

    4.1 (71 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

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    The conversation with one of the instructors who cancelled the class after the start time. No personal details are shared here.

    Unprofessional instructors, please don't waste your time and money signing up for Nova. I made the mistake of signing up for adult driving classes. However the instructor didn't show up at all for two days in a row without any advance notice. The ironic thing is that doing the same thing as a customer will incur a 60 $ fine. The management just cares about the reviews and not the actual service. I was contacted by the supervisor and assured about the second class, and even then a different instructor also didn't show up the second second class. Also the supervisor gave me the wrong extension number when I received a call from them about the issue.

    Wali M.

    I honestly want to say this is the best driving school in the Chicago land area. I couldn't drive at all and was so nervous to start. I requested the ultimate beginner class 12hr btw and road test I honestly believe I have two of the best instructors in the whole school. First Jeremiah one of the coolest and professional teachers around. Worked with me so much and sent videos for me to study so I can be a great driver. And my second instructor was Lawrence great guy. Really help me with my turning left and right. I honestly would say ask from Jeremiah and lawrence they will teach you right and make you a better driver It was a awesome experience with nova and I can say I received my license on the first try.

    Driving lessons with Geno from Nova driving school
    Gargi M.

    I enjoyed learning driving from Geno from Nova driving school. I passed road test on my first attempt. He is an amazing instructor and provide all the details of techniques. He keeps working on driving skills till you get it right, which is really important to be a good driver. Thanks to him and Nova

    Let me start off by mentioning that they are easily approachable and customize their services according to your wishes. I took 2 lessons with 2 different instructors (Darryl and Larry) and they both are very chilled-out guys, very accommodating and keep boosting your morale for better. They are both very frank with their feedback and train you to improve your weak points. I'm thrilled to have chosen Nova Driving School for my practice and I absolutely recommend to any fellow candidates. P.S: I got my license in the first attempt

    With Geno G. after passing the road test.
    Hae Rim C.

    I had a great experience with Nova! Before coming to Nova, I had lessons from another driving school but the lessons were cancelled all the time and sometimes he just didn't come not even giving me a notice. After lessons being delayed for so long, I decided to look for another school and found Nova! Nova is really organized with scheduling, always sending a reminder. Even before I enrolled, the person on the phone was very helpful in answering my questions and thoroughly explaining. The best part was my instructor, Geno G. He's truly awesome! It was fun learning from him and he really helps you until you get it. I was losing confidence but I was able to gain back some confidence having lessons with Geno and got my license! Thank you so much!!

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    4 years ago

    I had my 4th lesson with Michelle Edison. She was very detailed and gave lots of pointers.

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    5 years ago

    The instructors are very professional and nice. Instructor Michele gave me so much confidence before my exam .

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Nova Driving School

    Review Highlights - Nova Driving School

    Also, they called me on try the day before my road test and made sure I had all my documents for the day.

    Mentioned in 23 reviews

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    Nova Driving School - Road test completed - license received!

    Nova Driving School

    (434 reviews)

    Bucktown, Logan Square

    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.

    Ken's Driving Schools - No experience is necessary.  Drive with us.

    Ken's Driving Schools

    (5 reviews)

    Enrolled our child over the summer of 2024. Fast track classes since course was offered over 4…read moreweeks as opposed to the semester long period typically of high school- which we thought would be better. Well, read on. Child states classes were incredibly boring (instructor was lazy and rolled around in his chair, while teaching) and videos were "out of touch". It did not captivate my child's attention nor did it pique any interest in learning. We enrolled our child in this class for drivers education. He turned 16 in late spring. Classroom is sufficient but the students state "an old fat man that never stands up but rolls around on his office chair". Incredibly boring and monotone. Part of the class includes a "behind the wheel" driving with the instructor. Scheduling "behind the wheel" (BTW) instructor times was, to say the LEAST, one of the worst and most horrific experiences ever! EVER!! Instructions were very unclear on how to schedule - no phone calls allowed, only texts. This could be perceived as innovative however it was in fact obnoxious! Responses to texts were untimely (up to 10 hours later), during hours "outside of normal busier hours" and inconsistent, ie no response after several follow-ups). The scheduler was mean, rude, uncooperative, prejudiced and lacked any sense of decency. She refused to give out her name, so henceforth will be known as "Karen". Karen claimed that students needed to finish class work before being scheduled for BTW and, that they would need to practice driving before BTW scheduling occurred. WTF!! - I thought the instructors were to teach them with their specially equipped cars(brake on the instructors side)!!! That's why we send them to driving school - to learn how to drive with equipment that's not accessible to the public!!! We as parents do not have the proper automobiles that are equipped-the instructors should be taking this on as that is what we pay them for!! We as parents have the responsibility to hone our children's BTW experience after the basic concepts are taught! Seems this school is backwards and doesn't want to be held accountable for the outcome and wants the students that have driving experience! I do not recommend this school at all if you want to get your children licensed for the first time. It was not very expensive but I suppose, you get what you pay for. Never, ever have I encountered such terrible customer service from a person; I do not understand how this business still exists!! Whether it's "Ken's Driving School" or "1st Breese" (Breeze?) -- stay far away.

    My daughter just finished the 6 wk. drivers ed session, Ken and the instructors were very thorough,…read moreand very accommodating with her busy schedule. I would highly recommend his school to make your child a safe, confident, strategic driver.

    American Defensive Driving School - Classroom Instruction

    American Defensive Driving School

    (25 reviews)

    I had stopped in on two other driving schools before choosing ADDS. One felt like a wrong fit,…read moremostly due to availability and the other (also in Evanston) had a front desk person who was condescending and gave what I knew was incorrect information. As an elderly woman, new to Illinois and not having driven for over a year, this challenge was almost overwhelming. From the minute I entered the office of ADDS, I felt comfortable. First contact was the very busy Kemyta, who was juggling phone, paperwork, walk-ins and still smiling. When she was free, she asked me a few questions, then showed me how to maneuver their website, which had practice tests and much other information. There was also a voice behind a partition - an instructor giving a lesson to a group of high school students. Kemyta and I discussed my tailored requirements including pick-up and drop-off as well as instruction for written test, driving test and all the crazy paperwork associated with an out-of-state elderly person licensing situation. Kemyta assured me that the owner Doug Whitmore, a retired state policeman, would lead me through the process. When I met Doug, I asked him to be very straightforward with criticisms because I wanted to get this right. In turn, he gave encouragement, precise feedback, directions and kindly-phrased criticisms. After each session, I received a detailed summary from Doug's wife Andrea, while Doug was off giving CDL lessons for truck drivers. Text messages and emails were answered in reasonable time. This group has so many dimensions but operates very compatibly. I was apprehensive about taking the test and asked if I should have one more lesson, but Doug said he thought I could pass and gave specific issues on which to focus. He easily could hae had another payment from me, but he took the high road (no pun intended). I passed all the testing and got a license. Yay! This company is like family. They care about your success, know what they are doing, kind, moral and truly a pleasure to work with.

    On the plus side, they teach the kids the necessary theory and the driving instructors are great…read more It would do them a lot of good to be well mannered on the phone with parents. The person on the other end of the line is rude, unhelpful and should not represent this school. I have had more than one child learn from them and their manners just don't seem to improve, to the point where they have a reputation for being nasty. Would love to write a more solid review as your instructors are great and I like how you teach them the theory with realistic scenarios. You seem to care that they do well, just change the person at the other end of the phone!

    Nova Driving School - driving_schools - Updated May 2026

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