Winnetka Parent Easy Process Professional Friendly
Nika Khanova
Feb 2026
We chose Adams primarily because it is by far the closest driving school to where we live. The classroom/theory portion went well—my daughter was prepared for the exam, which we appreciated. The experience became very problematic once we moved to scheduling the actual behind-the-wheel lessons. Although we reached out to the instructor more than a month in advance requesting availability and we provided a flexible schedule, only an initial introductory session was scheduled. After that, we were told there were no openings available going forward. And we should wait until next month. We were then informed that we should consider ourselves “lucky” to be offered a single cancellation slot the following week, with no ability to plan or schedule any additional lessons beyond that. We were also told that my daughter should primarily practice driving with her parents and only use an instructor once she is “ready,” which effectively shifts responsibility back to the family despite this being a paid instructional program. Multiple limitations were imposed on lesson frequency and scheduling, without clear explanations or any attempt to problem-solve, despite our flexibility. Most concerning was the dismissive and disrespectful tone in these interactions— both from instructor and the office manager, there was no effort to understand our constraints or help us complete the required hours in a realistic way. At this point, we feel stuck: we need to complete the program requirements, yet it seems nearly impossible to schedule the necessary lessons. I also have concerns about teaching style of the instructor as they are the opposite of calmness and support I believe this school should be
Alec Sussman
Aug 2025
Pierre was very nice and very clear when it came to learning, he was understanding and patient aswell.
Connor Taleb
Nov 2024
Darnell is awesome he deserves a raise
Lisa Foley
May 2024
John has really enjoyed his driver Ed class work and his teacher, Mr. Raffa, is great! John is looking forward to behind the wheel instruction. It’s a great program!!!
Linda M
Nov 2023
I try to only leave positive reviews, and if I have an issue, I try to resolve it privately. That said, I am at my wits end with Adams School of Driving. I was told by many fellow parents that Adams is the place to go for driving lessons in Winnetka, and I felt that the instruction was good to fine. That said, the administration is an absolute nightmare. Trying to get my kids scheduled felt like trying to get elusive concert tickets. SO difficult to find open times. I bought the 12-hour pack of hours, and warning to others: Don't do this! I thought I was trying to be responsible by having them do more than the 8 hours. I also wanted them to have snow and ice lessons. However, I can't get anything on the books because they are prioritizing the students who have to get their 8 hours in! I also know from experience that I have to schedule the lessons months and months in advance, but nobody will schedule winter times with me. I finally asked for a refund of the extra 4 hours, and it's gone into a black hole. "I'll have the manager call you." Then a week goes by. I make another call. Same answer. No response. I finally called again today, and the woman who answered put me on hold, as she was complaining that she was the only person there, and then the call dropped. Adams School of Driving, you have to get it together.
H
Aug 2023
A-Adams has been a nightmare to schedule in person driving lessons, already not until next year 2024! Meanwhile, they push hard to up-sell and ask more money to get dates any earlier... Absolutely ridiculous!! Stay away.
Christina Collins
Mar 2020
The teacher is very good at teaching and is a little disorganized, the driving instruction is going well, the main office is friendly and helpful. The course material is dated. The classroom is dingy.
Monica S.
Aug 2019
We are having a similar experience with the Arlington Heights North branch of the school. My son had been bullied by the instructor, who two or three sessions later is still badmouthing my son to other students at the school. When I called the school to complain and report it, they had the instructor call me instead of the owner or a manager of the school. Instead of apologizing, the instructor, who appears to be more immature than the teenagers he teaches, got very defensive on the phone with me and started bringing up irrelevant examples of when my son was late for class due to his sports schedule, which happens to be the same story he tells his students about my son in those classes. Stay away from this school, especially the A.H. North location, or your child can fall victim of a bully teacher too.
Lily G.
Feb 2019
Parents- please try and look for alternatives for your teen's drivers ed. I had an issue with an instructor who was not just unprofessional but rude to my child. I specifically had a problem with this instructor because my daughter found out in school from a schoolmate that had the same driver instructor that she was talking poorly about my daughter! YUP! a middle aged women talking about a teen to another student. This behavior is horrendous and I wish I would have not signed up for this school. Also, they are unorganized with their schedules. The office claimed my daughter missed a lesson, and when she showed up to complete a make-up she realized she had already completed that class. She was not permitted to leave the class either and had to retake a 2 hour class for no reason. Please consider top driver or another alternative.
Adam Clausen
Winnetka Parent
Easy Process
Professional
Friendly
Nika Khanova
We chose Adams primarily because it is by far the closest driving school to where we live. The classroom/theory portion went well—my daughter was prepared for the exam, which we appreciated.
The experience became very problematic once we moved to scheduling the actual behind-the-wheel lessons. Although we reached out to the instructor more than a month in advance requesting availability and we provided a flexible schedule, only an initial introductory session was scheduled. After that, we were told there were no openings available going forward. And we should wait until next month.
We were then informed that we should consider ourselves “lucky” to be offered a single cancellation slot the following week, with no ability to plan or schedule any additional lessons beyond that. We were also told that my daughter should primarily practice driving with her parents and only use an instructor once she is “ready,” which effectively shifts responsibility back to the family despite this being a paid instructional program.
Multiple limitations were imposed on lesson frequency and scheduling, without clear explanations or any attempt to problem-solve, despite our flexibility. Most concerning was the dismissive and disrespectful tone in these interactions— both from instructor and the office manager, there was no effort to understand our constraints or help us complete the required hours in a realistic way.
At this point, we feel stuck: we need to complete the program requirements, yet it seems nearly impossible to schedule the necessary lessons.
I also have concerns about teaching style of the instructor as they are the opposite of calmness and support
I believe this school should be
Alec Sussman
Pierre was very nice and very clear when it came to learning, he was understanding and patient aswell.
Connor Taleb
Darnell is awesome he deserves a raise
Lisa Foley
John has really enjoyed his driver Ed class work and his teacher, Mr. Raffa, is great! John is looking forward to behind the wheel instruction.
It’s a great program!!!
Linda M
I try to only leave positive reviews, and if I have an issue, I try to resolve it privately. That said, I am at my wits end with Adams School of Driving. I was told by many fellow parents that Adams is the place to go for driving lessons in Winnetka, and I felt that the instruction was good to fine. That said, the administration is an absolute nightmare. Trying to get my kids scheduled felt like trying to get elusive concert tickets. SO difficult to find open times. I bought the 12-hour pack of hours, and warning to others: Don't do this! I thought I was trying to be responsible by having them do more than the 8 hours. I also wanted them to have snow and ice lessons. However, I can't get anything on the books because they are prioritizing the students who have to get their 8 hours in! I also know from experience that I have to schedule the lessons months and months in advance, but nobody will schedule winter times with me. I finally asked for a refund of the extra 4 hours, and it's gone into a black hole. "I'll have the manager call you." Then a week goes by. I make another call. Same answer. No response. I finally called again today, and the woman who answered put me on hold, as she was complaining that she was the only person there, and then the call dropped. Adams School of Driving, you have to get it together.
H
A-Adams has been a nightmare to schedule in person driving lessons, already not until next year 2024! Meanwhile, they push hard to up-sell and ask more money to get dates any earlier... Absolutely ridiculous!! Stay away.
Christina Collins
The teacher is very good at teaching and is a little disorganized, the driving instruction is going well, the main office is friendly and helpful. The course material is dated. The classroom is dingy.
Monica S.
We are having a similar experience with the Arlington Heights North branch of the school. My son had been bullied by the instructor, who two or three sessions later is still badmouthing my son to other students at the school. When I called the school to complain and report it, they had the instructor call me instead of the owner or a manager of the school. Instead of apologizing, the instructor, who appears to be more immature than the teenagers he teaches, got very defensive on the phone with me and started bringing up irrelevant examples of when my son was late for class due to his sports schedule, which happens to be the same story he tells his students about my son in those classes. Stay away from this school, especially the A.H. North location, or your child can fall victim of a bully teacher too.
Lily G.
Parents- please try and look for alternatives for your teen's drivers ed. I had an issue with an instructor who was not just unprofessional but rude to my child. I specifically had a problem with this instructor because my daughter found out in school from a schoolmate that had the same driver instructor that she was talking poorly about my daughter! YUP! a middle aged women talking about a teen to another student. This behavior is horrendous and I wish I would have not signed up for this school. Also, they are unorganized with their schedules. The office claimed my daughter missed a lesson, and when she showed up to complete a make-up she realized she had already completed that class. She was not permitted to leave the class either and had to retake a 2 hour class for no reason. Please consider top driver or another alternative.