Chicago South Illinois Secretary of State Facility — Local services in Hyde Park Township

If you meet a driving examiner by the name of Byron, I'll let you know he's a tough grader. Everyone at this facility is nice besides the examiners somehow. He asked me how many hours I've driven, when I answered him he said he thinks I don't have enough hours.

He claimed my turns were "too slow" and he didn't "like them" (as if you can have a particular taste for turns). The residential speed limit is 20 MPH, I went 18 MPH and he said I was going too slow... Additionally, he told me to pull out of the curb. There was a car coming behind me, so I let them go first. He got angry and told me "I should've gone faster ahead of them". What did he want me to do? Hit the car?

I lightly braked at a stop sign and he dramatically went "WOAH" for no reason. If I've driven with people and they never reacted that way to my stops, a grown man shouldn't either.

He claimed my roundabout was perfect. That I stopped at stop signs. But he ultimately thinks I'm too new and nervous for driving.... when I asked him about his unfair grading, he rudely asked me if I even remembered what he said. He left and made another lady deal with me and she told me he ripped up my driver's permit that the DMV copied for me. Why???? Why would you rip my permit????

Waiting to take my next test ASAP with a different instructor. This is ridiculous. Once I pass the next one, I need to submit a complaint.

Edit: second time I came in early morning and I was told someone messed up my files and applications. They called over several people and couldn't fix it. I admit the people were nice and trying their best though. But I've been here for 1.5 hours. I've taken 5 ID pictures.

Funny thing-- my retake test only 1 week later resulted in a pass with flying colors. I asked this instructor "aren't you supposed to show me my driving checklist if I failed? Because I "failed" last week and Byron didn't show me anything".

Apparently I passed and my license is on their registry. But since Byron failed me, I can't use my license. So they have to call the registry and have them REVOKE my license to a permit, so that I can pass again.... but I see Byron sitting in a counter chilling out while his coworkers have to make up for it.

We have so many terrible drivers in Chicago. Not sure why we don't have...

A little late with my review but my it's just been sitting in my drafts and decided to post it. Let me say, We had ZERO issues with the workers behind the desks who assisted us. They were kind and explained things very well. Their kindness means a lot to us. We were told to get there 10-15 min early, so we did but the front door worker was already outside stating we couldn't come in until the exact time. This delay caused issues towards the end bc of time issues. Our main issue was with Mario. I do not know what his position is but he had an issue with us from a previous visit when he tried to say I didn't know how to make an appointment when I clearly showed him on my phone and he ignored us and tried to show us how to do it. This day, when we were at the booth, Mario skipped every other desk and came straight to our booth and stated we can not take the driving test. The lady mentioned we had a waiver and he didn't say a word but walked away. Everything, went flawless until we were at the payment window and we actually started hearing Mario's voice near us. He started arguing with someone stating if your appointment was at 4, then your late it's past 4. Now as a worker he should know we don't jump straight to the back. We have to go through booths. But it turned out the customer had a wrong time so it was indeed the customer's mistake. But hearing Mario's voice high near us felt like he was trying to indirectly tell us. When we got to the window, it turned out our birthday fell on a certain day and our waiver was no lo ger valid. Another, security guard was saying we couldn't go anymore but that's what our appointment was for from the beginning. If we are able to make an appointment at a certain time, it should be honored. Eventually, we were let through and we're able to finish our visit. But I am going to see if a grievance can still be filed against Mario bc it made us feel attacked for no reason. Mario, your job is to help not make people feel unwelcome...

I had to retake all three of my tests due to a previous suspension. So, first of all you have to have proof of insurance for the car you are using for the road test. Then you wait for them to call your number, meanwhile, the customer service isn't bad. My number was called and the reps name was KimYada, she is so cool...shots out to her by the way. You must have all proper documentation if you have an address change, which I did cause I moved since my license was suspended. I had a light bill and a tax document stating my social and new address...cool. Then she administered the visual test, it's the first test that you take. It's super easy, read line 5 and do you see any flashing lights...Then you go to the cashier and pay your little 30 dollars, then proceed to the written test. They didn't have an attitude, they seemed like they were there to do their job, the guy was cool as hell, I told him I was nervous about the test, he said "man you got this it's easy", ol school cat lol. The written test is easy. The questions are common sense but require a little knowledge. The signs are basic, you should know them anyway if you have driven before. PASS!!! Now it's the road test. You drive in line on the same premises and wait with other cars until a rep gets with you. MAKE SURE your turning signals work front and back, plus your brake light, they are essential!!! So Darryl, he act like a hard ass but just follow his directions and you'll be good. You drive around the corner and then down the street, he tests your ability to reverse out of an alley, and you drive back to the station...PASS. You sit down and wait till he brings your paper work.. Picture is taken...bang bang bang ski ski ski you got your license....It's not that hard or bad...just don't have an attitude or they'll give you one. Once again shots out to...