13 Reviews

Top Driver

Highland Park, Illinois
Reviews
Mary T.
6 Jul 2017
REPORT
I scheduled a behind the wheel session for my daughter who became ill the morning of her 6:45pm evening lesson.  I called promptly the morning of her lesson to let Top Driver know that she would not b... Read More
I scheduled a behind the wheel session for my daughter who became ill the morning of her 6:45pm evening lesson.  I called promptly the morning of her lesson to let Top Driver know that she would not be able to attend the lesson.  They proceeded to tell me that because of the cancellation within less than a 24 hour window they would have to charge me $40 (in absence of a doctors note.)   It's all about the money.  The kids are secondary. Read Less
Audrey M.
28 Apr 2017
REPORT
Overall, I have been pretty happy with the instruction my son has received from Top Driver. I definitely recommend Dorothy as a driving instructor. She has been a great role model and an excellent ins... Read More
Overall, I have been pretty happy with the instruction my son has received from Top Driver. I definitely recommend Dorothy as a driving instructor. She has been a great role model and an excellent instructor. The company will pick my son and drop my son up directly from our house. The evening and weekend hours are easily worked into my family's schedule. I think they will schedule as late at 9 pm. My one complaint is that they won't let me son take his lesson because he brought a copy of his driver's permit instead of bringing the actual permit. I didn't realize this was an issue because the copy obviously proves that he has a valid permit. It was extremely disappointing to loose $40 over a copy. When I complained about the issue, the company insisted that they told all the parents and students on the first day. I don't recall this notification. I would suggest the company hand out a frig magnet/paper list of reasons why their student would be turned away on the day of the drive. Or have the parents sign a list of reasons why the student would be turned away so there isn't any confusion. Read Less
Robert F.
9 Jan 2017
REPORT
Classroom sessions ok- usual boring stuff. Actual behind the wheel lessons are ok but it is very difficult to schedule them and they will not pick up at ETHS, only New Trier. Often they will only pick... Read More
Classroom sessions ok- usual boring stuff. Actual behind the wheel lessons are ok but it is very difficult to schedule them and they will not pick up at ETHS, only New Trier. Often they will only pick up and drop off from the Wilmette location, which is only open during actual classroom time so there's no place to wait.  My daughter attended the other big driving school and scheduling lessons was very easy with pickup at school and drop off at home.  Cannot recommend Top Driver. It will take us about 4 months to get 8 lessons scheduled. Read Less
Mary R.
29 Jul 2016
REPORT
My major issue is that It is impossible to schedule behind the wheel lessons.   They have an on line scheduling system and classes fill up immediately.  My son wasn't able to get take all his classes ... Read More
My major issue is that It is impossible to schedule behind the wheel lessons.   They have an on line scheduling system and classes fill up immediately.  My son wasn't able to get take all his classes within the time frame.   I contacted the office and they told me I had to pay an additional $150 to extend the time period.  Another friend called to complain and she was told they had issues keeping instructors, so they extended her son's time frame.   When I mentioned this they said that was an issue at the Glenview office, not the Wilmette office.  FYI - you can take in car lessons at any of their facilities, so a shortage at one facility impacts all facilities.My son finished classroom lessons in March.  He was able to make-up two classes without any issues, but now they are telling us he never attended the classes and he needs to make-up these classes, after paying another extension fee.FYI - My two daughters took lessons with another company and we didn't have any issues. Read Less
Jina L.
30 Aug 2015
REPORT
I had a great experience with Top Driver. In particular I thought the adult driving coordinator Randy and the lead instructor Lee were extremely extremely extremely helpful, courteous, nice, and consi... Read More
I had a great experience with Top Driver. In particular I thought the adult driving coordinator Randy and the lead instructor Lee were extremely extremely extremely helpful, courteous, nice, and considerate. This is the best experience I have had with any driving school. I want to especially thank Lee for his encouragements, teachings, and early morning pickups (he always arrived 15 minutes early, always super on time and organized). The school is pretty popular despite lack of reviews, so not much room to choose time slots but if you are flexible and looking for a good place to learn driving (and pass the test in no time with flying colors) then I would give top driver a try. Make sure you understand how many hours you need to practice and how much practice you will be having with your family's car, so that it will give you a better idea of how many lessons you want. Good luck Read Less
Kay K.
13 Sep 2014
REPORT
The instruction is like other schools in the area.  However, if you have a busy child, scheduling driving is nearly impossible on their system, and they don't have enough instructors, so it's hard to ... Read More
The instruction is like other schools in the area.  However, if you have a busy child, scheduling driving is nearly impossible on their system, and they don't have enough instructors, so it's hard to get in.  And if you miss a class you have to make up exactly the same class in a different session, which can take months.  Very frustrating experience.  4 months later still trying to get the driving lessons scheduled. Read Less
Dan S.
15 Nov 2013
REPORT
Our experience with Top Driver has been horrific.  No issue with our first child who learned through them 2 years ago.  This time - poor quality classroom instruction; in-car instructor who took a per... Read More
Our experience with Top Driver has been horrific.  No issue with our first child who learned through them 2 years ago.  This time - poor quality classroom instruction; in-car instructor who took a personal call while driving with our child as well as opened the door to search for his phone while the vehicle was moving; hard to find locations including an instructor who couldn't provide directions because he was new to the area; lost notes on our prior instructor complaint; no call back from the customer service manager; rescheduled make up class in to the wrong session.  Incompetent organization.  Avoid. Read Less
Anitha Latha K.
12 Aug 2013
REPORT
The horrible most driving school....people took my money and did not even show up to teach driving.....this school really scuks....instructors are awful n nonprofessional.....I have no words to descri... Read More
The horrible most driving school....people took my money and did not even show up to teach driving.....this school really scuks....instructors are awful n nonprofessional.....I have no words to describe to them but I can suggest any one to not approach this school at any cost...... Read Less
Kalee G.
8 Jan 2013
REPORT
I am a bit unique as a driving student in that I am 62 and a  stroke victim returning to driving, not a typical student. I can't say enough about my instructor, George. He was kind, respectful and con... Read More
I am a bit unique as a driving student in that I am 62 and a  stroke victim returning to driving, not a typical student. I can't say enough about my instructor, George. He was kind, respectful and considerate. More important is that George was an outstanding, skilled and caring professional. I have recently been able to pass the complex and tine consuming post-stroke back to driving test. The skills I acquired/regained will serve me well as I reclaim my driving skills. Kudos to George! Read Less
Bob D.
21 Jun 2012
REPORT
Some of the ladies you speak with on the phone who help schedule lessons (and charge you outrageous fees for every possible misstep, such as late arrival to a lesson) are pleasant, but that's the only... Read More
Some of the ladies you speak with on the phone who help schedule lessons (and charge you outrageous fees for every possible misstep, such as late arrival to a lesson) are pleasant, but that's the only positive I can think of for this place.  Top Driver offers NONE of the features and services we took for granted at the well-established school our older children attended. My experience is with the Highland Park location, but the program is run through a general corporate website and 800 number, so I would expect the same overpriced, charge-you-at-every-turn mindset no matter the location.   My advice is to steer well clear of Top Driver. Read Less
therese m.
5 Jan 2011
REPORT
Jan,You are correct.  This place is a nightmare.  I had the exact same experience at the Wilmette location.  They are unethical and flat out liars.  I only wish I had read your review before I signed ... Read More
Jan,You are correct.  This place is a nightmare.  I had the exact same experience at the Wilmette location.  They are unethical and flat out liars.  I only wish I had read your review before I signed up my son and found ourselves neck deep.  I would strongly advice against using this service!!! Read Less
Pam G.
22 Aug 2010
REPORT
The instructors are great at this school, they really make the kids comfortable behind the wheel. The corporate company however is a different story, they are very rude on the phone, they have a 48 ho... Read More
The instructors are great at this school, they really make the kids comfortable behind the wheel. The corporate company however is a different story, they are very rude on the phone, they have a 48 hour cancellation policy for you but not for themselfs. (If you need to cancel last minute because your kid has a school/life/sports conflict and it cost you $40.00 they miss your appointment oopps!) There website has a lot of issues with sign up/cancellation - I canceled on line and it didn't go through - though I found out when they called stating that my son had "missed" the appointment and I would have to pay the fee before he could drive again!!! My daughter did Addams in Highwood, we loved them, we didnt have 1 complaint - but as they have been around forever and there facility is older we thought that we would try the new kids in town as their place was nice and newly polished...well it will stay polished due to the amount of extra money that they charge you - they can afford to do more to keep the place up. Don't  go here unless you really want to get frustrated with extra charges, like having to wait a long time in between lessons because they dont have enough driving instructors, or want your kids to get picked up from school - no of these were an issue with AAdams- and as we all have a choice on where to spend our money I would keep it with the company that has been in business in Highland Park for 20+ years vs the new guys that only wants your money. Read Less
Jan H.
21 Feb 2008
REPORT
Top driver is irresponsible & knows nothing of customer service!  The instructor didn't bother to show up to one of the classes and the company didn't return my call.  Another parent spoke with someon... Read More
Top driver is irresponsible & knows nothing of customer service!  The instructor didn't bother to show up to one of the classes and the company didn't return my call.  Another parent spoke with someone and they actually tried to make it our fault...?  Then they told the kids that they didn't have to make up the class since they "talked about driving" for the 30 minutes that they waited outside a locked storefront. (wink!)  So that counted for a class.    Some kids were dropped off and had no way of contacting parents for pick up and sat there until 9 pm.   They don't seem to know how to use a calendar, because I've been told twice incorrect dates for lessons. They have rescheduled all but one "behind the wheel" because their instructors keep quitting... Not a good sign.  Avoid Top Driver like the plague! Read Less
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Book an Appointment
Online booking unavailable
Please call
(800) 374-8373
2068 1st Street
Highland Park Illinois 60035
Business Hours
Monday
Mon
08:00AM-17:00PM
Tuesday
Tue
08:00AM-17:00PM
Wednesday
Wed
08:00AM-17:00PM
Thursday
Thu
08:00AM-17:00PM
Friday
Fri
08:00AM-17:00PM
Saturday
Sat
08:00AM-12:00PM
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Top Driver

Highland Park, Illinois
(13)
2068 1st Street
Highland Park Illinois 60035
Monday
08:00AM-17:00PM
Tuesday
08:00AM-17:00PM
Wednesday
08:00AM-17:00PM
Thursday
08:00AM-17:00PM
Friday
08:00AM-17:00PM
Saturday
08:00AM-12:00PM
Mary T.
6 Jul 2017
REPORT
I scheduled a behind the wheel session for my daughter who became ill the morning of her 6:45pm evening lesson.  I called promptly the morning of her lesson to let Top Driver know that she would not b... Read More
I scheduled a behind the wheel session for my daughter who became ill the morning of her 6:45pm evening lesson.  I called promptly the morning of her lesson to let Top Driver know that she would not be able to attend the lesson.  They proceeded to tell me that because of the cancellation within less than a 24 hour window they would have to charge me $40 (in absence of a doctors note.)   It's all about the money.  The kids are secondary. Read Less
Audrey M.
28 Apr 2017
REPORT
Overall, I have been pretty happy with the instruction my son has received from Top Driver. I definitely recommend Dorothy as a driving instructor. She has been a great role model and an excellent ins... Read More
Overall, I have been pretty happy with the instruction my son has received from Top Driver. I definitely recommend Dorothy as a driving instructor. She has been a great role model and an excellent instructor. The company will pick my son and drop my son up directly from our house. The evening and weekend hours are easily worked into my family's schedule. I think they will schedule as late at 9 pm. My one complaint is that they won't let me son take his lesson because he brought a copy of his driver's permit instead of bringing the actual permit. I didn't realize this was an issue because the copy obviously proves that he has a valid permit. It was extremely disappointing to loose $40 over a copy. When I complained about the issue, the company insisted that they told all the parents and students on the first day. I don't recall this notification. I would suggest the company hand out a frig magnet/paper list of reasons why their student would be turned away on the day of the drive. Or have the parents sign a list of reasons why the student would be turned away so there isn't any confusion. Read Less
Robert F.
9 Jan 2017
REPORT
Classroom sessions ok- usual boring stuff. Actual behind the wheel lessons are ok but it is very difficult to schedule them and they will not pick up at ETHS, only New Trier. Often they will only pick... Read More
Classroom sessions ok- usual boring stuff. Actual behind the wheel lessons are ok but it is very difficult to schedule them and they will not pick up at ETHS, only New Trier. Often they will only pick up and drop off from the Wilmette location, which is only open during actual classroom time so there's no place to wait.  My daughter attended the other big driving school and scheduling lessons was very easy with pickup at school and drop off at home.  Cannot recommend Top Driver. It will take us about 4 months to get 8 lessons scheduled. Read Less
Mary R.
29 Jul 2016
REPORT
My major issue is that It is impossible to schedule behind the wheel lessons.   They have an on line scheduling system and classes fill up immediately.  My son wasn't able to get take all his classes ... Read More
My major issue is that It is impossible to schedule behind the wheel lessons.   They have an on line scheduling system and classes fill up immediately.  My son wasn't able to get take all his classes within the time frame.   I contacted the office and they told me I had to pay an additional $150 to extend the time period.  Another friend called to complain and she was told they had issues keeping instructors, so they extended her son's time frame.   When I mentioned this they said that was an issue at the Glenview office, not the Wilmette office.  FYI - you can take in car lessons at any of their facilities, so a shortage at one facility impacts all facilities.My son finished classroom lessons in March.  He was able to make-up two classes without any issues, but now they are telling us he never attended the classes and he needs to make-up these classes, after paying another extension fee.FYI - My two daughters took lessons with another company and we didn't have any issues. Read Less
Jina L.
30 Aug 2015
REPORT
I had a great experience with Top Driver. In particular I thought the adult driving coordinator Randy and the lead instructor Lee were extremely extremely extremely helpful, courteous, nice, and consi... Read More
I had a great experience with Top Driver. In particular I thought the adult driving coordinator Randy and the lead instructor Lee were extremely extremely extremely helpful, courteous, nice, and considerate. This is the best experience I have had with any driving school. I want to especially thank Lee for his encouragements, teachings, and early morning pickups (he always arrived 15 minutes early, always super on time and organized). The school is pretty popular despite lack of reviews, so not much room to choose time slots but if you are flexible and looking for a good place to learn driving (and pass the test in no time with flying colors) then I would give top driver a try. Make sure you understand how many hours you need to practice and how much practice you will be having with your family's car, so that it will give you a better idea of how many lessons you want. Good luck Read Less
Kay K.
13 Sep 2014
REPORT
The instruction is like other schools in the area.  However, if you have a busy child, scheduling driving is nearly impossible on their system, and they don't have enough instructors, so it's hard to ... Read More
The instruction is like other schools in the area.  However, if you have a busy child, scheduling driving is nearly impossible on their system, and they don't have enough instructors, so it's hard to get in.  And if you miss a class you have to make up exactly the same class in a different session, which can take months.  Very frustrating experience.  4 months later still trying to get the driving lessons scheduled. Read Less
Dan S.
15 Nov 2013
REPORT
Our experience with Top Driver has been horrific.  No issue with our first child who learned through them 2 years ago.  This time - poor quality classroom instruction; in-car instructor who took a per... Read More
Our experience with Top Driver has been horrific.  No issue with our first child who learned through them 2 years ago.  This time - poor quality classroom instruction; in-car instructor who took a personal call while driving with our child as well as opened the door to search for his phone while the vehicle was moving; hard to find locations including an instructor who couldn't provide directions because he was new to the area; lost notes on our prior instructor complaint; no call back from the customer service manager; rescheduled make up class in to the wrong session.  Incompetent organization.  Avoid. Read Less
Anitha Latha K.
12 Aug 2013
REPORT
The horrible most driving school....people took my money and did not even show up to teach driving.....this school really scuks....instructors are awful n nonprofessional.....I have no words to descri... Read More
The horrible most driving school....people took my money and did not even show up to teach driving.....this school really scuks....instructors are awful n nonprofessional.....I have no words to describe to them but I can suggest any one to not approach this school at any cost...... Read Less
Kalee G.
8 Jan 2013
REPORT
I am a bit unique as a driving student in that I am 62 and a  stroke victim returning to driving, not a typical student. I can't say enough about my instructor, George. He was kind, respectful and con... Read More
I am a bit unique as a driving student in that I am 62 and a  stroke victim returning to driving, not a typical student. I can't say enough about my instructor, George. He was kind, respectful and considerate. More important is that George was an outstanding, skilled and caring professional. I have recently been able to pass the complex and tine consuming post-stroke back to driving test. The skills I acquired/regained will serve me well as I reclaim my driving skills. Kudos to George! Read Less
Bob D.
21 Jun 2012
REPORT
Some of the ladies you speak with on the phone who help schedule lessons (and charge you outrageous fees for every possible misstep, such as late arrival to a lesson) are pleasant, but that's the only... Read More
Some of the ladies you speak with on the phone who help schedule lessons (and charge you outrageous fees for every possible misstep, such as late arrival to a lesson) are pleasant, but that's the only positive I can think of for this place.  Top Driver offers NONE of the features and services we took for granted at the well-established school our older children attended. My experience is with the Highland Park location, but the program is run through a general corporate website and 800 number, so I would expect the same overpriced, charge-you-at-every-turn mindset no matter the location.   My advice is to steer well clear of Top Driver. Read Less
therese m.
5 Jan 2011
REPORT
Jan,You are correct.  This place is a nightmare.  I had the exact same experience at the Wilmette location.  They are unethical and flat out liars.  I only wish I had read your review before I signed ... Read More
Jan,You are correct.  This place is a nightmare.  I had the exact same experience at the Wilmette location.  They are unethical and flat out liars.  I only wish I had read your review before I signed up my son and found ourselves neck deep.  I would strongly advice against using this service!!! Read Less
Pam G.
22 Aug 2010
REPORT
The instructors are great at this school, they really make the kids comfortable behind the wheel. The corporate company however is a different story, they are very rude on the phone, they have a 48 ho... Read More
The instructors are great at this school, they really make the kids comfortable behind the wheel. The corporate company however is a different story, they are very rude on the phone, they have a 48 hour cancellation policy for you but not for themselfs. (If you need to cancel last minute because your kid has a school/life/sports conflict and it cost you $40.00 they miss your appointment oopps!) There website has a lot of issues with sign up/cancellation - I canceled on line and it didn't go through - though I found out when they called stating that my son had "missed" the appointment and I would have to pay the fee before he could drive again!!! My daughter did Addams in Highwood, we loved them, we didnt have 1 complaint - but as they have been around forever and there facility is older we thought that we would try the new kids in town as their place was nice and newly polished...well it will stay polished due to the amount of extra money that they charge you - they can afford to do more to keep the place up. Don't  go here unless you really want to get frustrated with extra charges, like having to wait a long time in between lessons because they dont have enough driving instructors, or want your kids to get picked up from school - no of these were an issue with AAdams- and as we all have a choice on where to spend our money I would keep it with the company that has been in business in Highland Park for 20+ years vs the new guys that only wants your money. Read Less
Jan H.
21 Feb 2008
REPORT
Top driver is irresponsible & knows nothing of customer service!  The instructor didn't bother to show up to one of the classes and the company didn't return my call.  Another parent spoke with someon... Read More
Top driver is irresponsible & knows nothing of customer service!  The instructor didn't bother to show up to one of the classes and the company didn't return my call.  Another parent spoke with someone and they actually tried to make it our fault...?  Then they told the kids that they didn't have to make up the class since they "talked about driving" for the 30 minutes that they waited outside a locked storefront. (wink!)  So that counted for a class.    Some kids were dropped off and had no way of contacting parents for pick up and sat there until 9 pm.   They don't seem to know how to use a calendar, because I've been told twice incorrect dates for lessons. They have rescheduled all but one "behind the wheel" because their instructors keep quitting... Not a good sign.  Avoid Top Driver like the plague! Read Less
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