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.

Do not book driving lessons with this company. They do not disclose that it is nearly impossible to…read morebook times to take your classes until after you have purchased the package. They are rude unhelpful.

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.

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 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!! :)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Update: After sharing my honest experience, I received a threatening email from the owner demanding…read morethat I remove my review and photos, and threatening legal action. For the record, my photos were taken from the public sidewalk during posted business hours when the office was closed, not from inside. Everything I shared in my review was true and based on my direct experience as a paying customer. I will not be intimidated into silence. I am not asking for a handout -- only for fairness: either provide the six hours of behind-the-wheel instruction my child needs, or refund the money so she can complete her training elsewhere. The fact that the owner is threatening customers instead of resolving concerns only reinforces the pattern already visible in the many other one-star reviews.

He rude speak rudely and his whole demeanor will throw you off like u bothering him or like he…read moredoing something for you for free. trying to give the brother benefit of the doubt but please don't waste your money or time. learning how to drive its very serious and people got the courage and money to get their license and you get this rude old man wasting your time and money. he need to retire someone need to close him down. He need to simply be reported. i dont like giving reviews but no way everyone needs to be aware. it's true and it needs to be told SAVE YOUR HARD EARN MONEY. Send your young kids to someone that will be helpful respectful and interested in teaching safe driving.

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!

All 3 of my kids worked with Central Driving Academy to get their drivers license. They were…read morehonestly amazing in every way. They are extremely organized, responsive, very personable, they will do what they can to accommodate to their students schedules, and most importantly, they are all incredible instructors. If they feel a child needs more support, they will ensure they receive it. I highly recommend this Academy! My kids all had a wonderful experience. It was an absolute pleasure working with them!

Whatever you do, do not go here and most definitely do not enroll your kids in their programs. The…read moreinstructors are extremely aggressive, even with students in the passenger seat. Today (7/25/25), an instructor from this company (who I believe is also the owner), removed the company placard from the top of the car, barreled down the middle of a parking lot lane, almost hit me purposely 3 separate times after harassing me, including backing up within a few inches of my car, brake checked me, stopped the car in an alley to block me from leaving, flipped me off with 2 hands while driving the car, and screamed the F word out the window several times--this is all with a what looked to be a young man in the passenger seat looking terrified, no older than 18 years old. It's been about 30 minutes since this incident and I genuinely wondering and concerned that this instructor was intoxicated because that is not how normal people behave...again, with a teenage student driver in the passenger seat.

I studied improvisation with Steve Ivcich decades ago. I wasn't interested in becoming a…read moreprofessional actor (and lacked the talent even if I had wanted to become one). I took the class just to have an interesting life experience and possibly meet some new people, nothing more. And yet what I learned from Steve has stuck with me all these years later, and I still think about my experiences in his class from time to time. They were that meaningful -- even profound in some ways. That's the mark of a great teacher!

So... I realized something the other day... I actually dove…read moreinto acting because of this guy... I took several of his Professional Program classes and never looked back. Unfortunately I never finished the last class, but wow, as I thought about it, Steven taught method acting like none other. Pure genius. Pretty much in line with the teachings of Stanislavski and Chekhov, but with Stevens' own blend of artistry mixed in! Without a doubt, his classes gave me the drive and ambition to pursue my acting career. And thankfully, I've been involved in some really, really, awesome projects. Thanks Steven! Highly Recommended!!!!!!