Reviews of American Defensive Driving School (Driving School)

Noael Shelbys

American Defensive Driving is definitely one of the worst decisions I’ve ever made for my teenager. Classroom instructor was not the best. 5 kids sitting around bored out of their mind while while the teacher was chatting with someone. Here’s the nitty gritty ~ driving instruction was absolutely terrible!! Cars seemed old and aged. Instructor seemed like he lost his mind or he just needs to retire. My teen claimed he yelled at him several times. This isn’t right. I sent my kid here to learn not feel berated. I’d do more research before choosing this school, I currently can’t vouch for any other schools in the area but I’m sure they will give you a better experience

Sandra Discepolo

DON’T GO THERE!!! I was misinformed by the receptionist and my son now has to wait until way after his sixteen’s birthday to take his driving test because the receptionist misinformed me when I called and asked for the day of his FINAL lesson... bad and rude employees who make you feel bad and responsible for their mistake.... ruined his sixteen’s birthday... don’t go there and make yourself a favor, choose a different driving school!! Skokie has Better ones that this one! WHAT A SHAME!!!

Lucy Cho

I was able to get my license in a month! Loved walking into office to chat with Terry and I liked all the instructors I drove with. I could see they have been instructing for years and all are very knowledgeable. Couldn't have chosen a better driving school, and am thankful they have worked with my tight schedule to get the license.

Michael Low

I have two teens, one who is completed the American Defensive Driving School and a second that is currently enrolled and have had great results. Doug, the owner, is a retired state trooper with a great sense of humor and lots of credibility with his students because of his previous line of work as a state trooper. He has collected many stories over the years...many of which my son would repeat at the dinner table. These stories are not only tasteful but had a message about safety that reached my kids. Besides that my kids never complained about being bored and really seemed to get a lot out of the class. I believe that the class made them safer drivers which is something that was worth a lot to me. Especially male teen drivers! We found that American Defensive Driving School was very flexible when my son's soccer team had a conflicting schedule - futsal games on Sunday mornings. I called and in one phone call they changed my son to another weekday class. It is great to feel like you are getting something for your money when your sign up for a driving school, with this in mind, I strongly recommend that you consider this school because they actually teach your children a lot about safe driving!

JY K

I'm sure there are people who had good experience with American Defensive Driving School but unfortunately I have not. I have never been this mad at a store or institution before. I purchased the 6 hour (4 lessons) package. When I first went there, I was asked to schedule the 4 classes in advance. The first two classes were good. The instructor was patient and made me feel comfortable behind the wheel. For my third class, I was sick and was in no condition to get my lesson. I called and told them I needed to reschedule. This is where the problem starts. The woman who answered the phone told me I could reschedule but there was no availability until more than 2 weeks later. I knew if I didn't have my lessons soon enough, I would forget most of what I learned. I asked if there was an earlier time. Her response was “That’s the first available time. I’m looking at the schedule right now and there is no other time. It’s your fault you canceled.” If she said “I’m sorry about this but we do have a tight schedule right now. I understand your situation, so, how about if anybody cancels within the two week time-frame, I’ll call you to see if you’re available. But I hope you understand that I can’t guarantee anything.” I would have been totally fine with it. But she continued to say “It’s your fault. You should have managed your schedule (like I could manage my schedule to get sick).” So I asked her if they provide refunds and she said no. I said I understand that was the policy and I wouldn't be taking any more classes. I also told her that I thought they were understaffed and that I would write about my experience in reviews. She got very annoyed about this comment and said “You should think that us being busy is a good thing since so many people use us. It’s a busy season and it’s your fault that you canceled.” I told her that was the meaning of under-staffing and they should add more instructors during busy seasons. She went on to say “You should be fair when you write the review because it was your fault you canceled and I tried to give the fastest time possible.” I heard “it was your fault” about 5-10 times. If you are absolutely sure you would never reschedule for your classes, you can go with them. Or if you are okay with waiting 2 weeks and hearing “It’s your fault” so many times after a cancellation, you’ll be perfect for them. Otherwise, please stay away from this place. I was frustrated enough to throw away my expensive classes.

Jessie P

ADDS is the best driving school around! They have you do really fun activities that really help you understand how things can affect driving. Also, the instructors are like family! They encourage people to come back and visit, they remember everyone's name, they are the best! I learned so much in this class, worth every penny!

Emily Wu

I had never sat behind the wheel before I signed up with American Defensive Driving School. I took a series of lessons and had the instructor bring me out to the test. It was a great learning experience. Instructors at this school are very helpful. They teach you not just to pass the test but to be a safe driver on the road. Definitely recommend especially for someone who doesn't have a car just like me. Got my license today, yah!

Tammy Johnson

Great experience for my teen. They were flexible with his driving instructions seeing that he took it in the summer and also had varsity football. I like the fact you schedule your own drive time snd they pick up literally from anywhere you ask. My Son had the opportunity to have different instructors which was great. Also as the school year went on and our lives got busier, having the texts and email reminders of completing the driving hours and someone keeping up with that for you was great. I enjoyed having online access to my Son’s schedule and the different courses. Doug and his staff are very friendly and make the student and parent feel comfortable. Keep doing what you’re doing not just instructing a driver but teaching drivers how to be safe out there! Recommended families. Glad to see the business in my community thriving! Parents take in everything you can in that orientation, that’s important information and will save you time at the Secretary of State.

Benjamin Brewster

Sub par driving school. Classes are extremely dry and boring. Worst of all they did not send needed paperwork to the DMV for me to be able to take my test, weeks after being asked to. Very incompetent business, would not recommend.

Fatema Frankel

I got my license with American Defensive Driving Academy as an adult driver. The group of instructors at ADD is a bit of a mixed bag. My first class was with Robert, and his personality unfortunately was far to abrasive for me. He insisted on playing the radio and since he is a smoker he smelled strongly of smoke. I am a person who does not have a tolerance for abusive language, smoking and radio noise so needless to say Robert was not a good fit for me. Robert also kept telling me what a good driver he was, which was really not helpful. I then had a few drives with Jon, who was very pleasant and patient, and I was very calm when I was driving with him. He was unfortunately too forgiving of my mistakes, and recommended that I take the test way before I was ready. So when I went with the owner, Doug, to take the test, Doug very quickly figured out that I was in fact not at all ready to pass this test, so I started to sign up for lessons with Doug. Doug was exactly what I needed. Someone who was going to be patient but also real with me when I was making mistakes. I had a lot of trouble with my left and right turns and he practiced those with me until they were perfect, and only then did we go on to the next skill. It is clear that Doug really enjoys what he does since he would really celebrate with me and give me a fist pump when I was done something good. Since Doug is also the owner of another business he is very busy, and will have to answer calls during drives. It can be difficult to sign up for classes with him since his schedule is very packed. Eventually Doug’s schedule made it hard for me to get lessons in with him, so they moved me to Al, who was perfect for me: he was patient and real about my mistakes, and he gave me his undivided attention. Al also took me on drives around the Elston DMV, so I new the area well when I took the test. It took me three tries but Al was extremely patient and real with me. The two failures came from a weird situation at the DMV and then a very silly mistake on my part, so I don’t think he had me take the test before I was ready. In fact, I was prepared to keep taking classes but Al encouraged me to go take the test, and I feel he made the right call. The girls at the desk, Marie and Scotty, were always very nice to work with. The lessons weren’t cheap, but they were very reasonable about applying the Northwestern discount and 6-hour bundled price even when I bought the lessons in smaller chunks. And I wasn’t charged for the extra lesson on the day I was first scheduled to take the test. (I’m told this was because Doug was running late that morning--otherwise they were always quite prompt). Reflecting on my overall experience, I highly recommend American Defensive Driving, especially Al.

Ryan Landis

American Defensive Driving School is the best place for anyone to learn about driving and have fun! The instructors provide a great, educational atmosphere that everyone benefits from. I would highly recommend it!

Jack Bodine

Great place, The teachers there are very nice and fun, I am almost never bored in class.

Jack Leo

ADDS was the best choice to learn how to drive. It offers a well taught class, which provides you with all of the information and safety tips you need before you get behind the wheel and get your license.