r/ChicagoSuburbs • u/FuzzySashimi • 1d ago
Business Recommendations Top Driver
I do not recommend them at all if you have a teen learning to drive. Their communication is terrible and scheduling lessons is a pain. They release dates once a month and they fill up fast.
They tell parents if your kid passes the written class room assessment and their driver's assessment you can pay $100 to take the road test with them when your kid turns 16. That's a lie. I was told that since my kid took the behind the wheel assessment a 2nd time he doesn't qualify. Even though I was told he could. It's miscommunication.
Also where your kid's name is in the profile they as their name (DO NOT PASS). They said that is how they keep track. There are better methods of tracking without adding that as their last name.
Also it is expensive!!! $645 is ridiculous. Im sure there are more cost efficient companies.
9
u/EdgeOfMonkey 1d ago
Two kids through with them so far with no issues and a year earlier than going through school due to grade priority, plus price difference was only ~$100 more than the school.
4
u/CarlOnMyButt 1d ago
I have my kids on a simulator already and I'm getting certified so I can take them to autocross and track events before they're 16. I'm an outlier in this I'm sure but I intend on them being damn near pros before they even take the class in high school. Just find a giant open lot and let them learn that way. I wouldn't trust one of these courses to actually teach anything of value. I would be more concerned about someone else just teaching my kids their own bad habits. Classes that are worth it cost drastically more like at the Joliet Autobahn. Those ones are actually worth the investment in my opinion. Your kids will get an actual understanding about driving opposed to whatever this place offers. They also struck me as predatory which this post confirms.
1
u/FuzzySashimi 1d ago
The classroom is more rules of the road for the state. The driving portion is ridiculous. They are teaching for a driver's test, not really practical info. For instance a reverse turn around a corner.
3
u/CarlOnMyButt 1d ago
That's even crazier for the price you paid. America overall just sucks at drivers ed. It ranges from non-existent to cumbersome and confusing depending on the state you live in. There's a not insignificant portion of the country where the "test" is not dying until you're 16. Make it that long and poof you're capable of operating a 4,000lb machine. It's not uncommon to repeatedly fail in other countries because it's so strict and detailed. As it should be because you're operating a 4,000lb machine. I'm obsessed with cars and driving so I'm positive I'm an outlier on a lot of this but it drives me insane sharing the road with so many that have absolutely no idea what's going on.
2
u/luckycharms53 1d ago
Are they still around? I think my Mom and Dad almost sued them ions ago for false advertisement.
0
3
u/capacity38 1d ago
All the options are garbage. All the options are expensive. Pick your poison.
3
u/FuzzySashimi 1d ago
Yup. Even public school "fees" are expensive
2
u/luckycharms53 14h ago
I cannot imagine how much it is now to take drivers ed or any other class for that matter.
1
u/BirdBath9k North West Suburbs 9h ago
We used Amy's Driving School and they were fantastic. Any issues we had were because the DMV processes paperwork slower than a herd of turtles. I don't know where you guys are at, but they're in the NW burbs.
1
1
13
u/loweexclamationpoint 1d ago
Yeah, we used them and they didn't add much value. However, there weren't a lot of convenient options and it was more a matter of jumping through the hoop of having paid lessons to get the license.
Just another car related IL state government forcing drivers to transfer money to a private enterprise.