Complaint – Howard Driving School Failure to Complete Behind-the-Wheel Instruction
We enrolled in Howard Driving School through a local high school’s driver education program. The 30-hour classroom requirement was completed in full. However, the 6-hour behind-the-wheel driving requirement was never clearly scheduled or completed.
When we appeared at the Illinois Secretary of State facility to take the license exam, we were informed that the completion hours had never been entered by the school. This made the exam impossible to take.
Repeated attempts to contact the instructor for resolution have been unsuccessful. Calls and messages have gone unanswered. The school has refused to issue a refund for the unused driving hours, which would allow us to complete them with another licensed school.
Additionally, on [date], I went to the Howard Driving School address listed on their website and promotional materials. While the exterior signage is present, the interior appears abandoned and cluttered with unrelated items, folding chairs, and bags. There is no visible classroom setup, instructional materials, or professional reception area. This raises concerns about whether the business is operating as advertised and in compliance with state licensing standards.
Desired Resolution:
We are requesting one of the following:
Refund for unused driving hours and issuance of the certificate of completion for the classroom portion of driver’s education.
Full refund of the entire course so it can be taken elsewhere.
Immediate scheduling of the remaining 6 hours of behind-the-wheel instruction and completion of the course.
We also request a review of the school’s communication, scheduling practices, and operational compliance to prevent delays for future students.
I went to the Howard Driving School address listed on their website and promotional materials (315 Madison St, Oak Park, IL 60302). The storefront appears abandoned and does not look like an active business location. The exterior has the school’s name, but the interior is cluttered with unrelated items, folding chairs, bags, and boxes. There is no visible classroom setup, instructional equipment, or professional reception area one would expect from a licensed driving school. This raises serious concerns about the legitimacy and operational status of the business.
UPDATE: August 18, 2025
Update: After sharing my honest experience, I received a threatening email from the owner demanding that 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.