Classes underway at One Way Driving School in Huntley

Instructor Joseph Carnana has taught more than 2,000 students to drive since 2012 and helped open Go Slow, a driving school in Lake in the Hills.

During that time, he developed a positive reputation in the community, which he is hoping to build on at One Way Driving School, a commercial school at 10395 Vine St. in Huntley that recently wrapped up its second class.

A special use permit for the business – which was started by Carnana, Andy Lunz and Mike Marte – was approved by the Village Board in August. However, classes were delayed after a rainstorm knocked down the school’s marquee, which caused the school to fall out of compliance with the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office.

Although nearby Huntley High School has its own program, Carnana said, one benefit students have when going through a commercial driving school is that they can forgo taking driver’s education as an elective and instead take a course more beneficial to their college career.

“The volume of Huntley High School is tremendous, so I don’t think they’re losing out at all,” Lunz said.

Carnana said his teaching strategy involves taking information from the 1950s or 1970s and presenting it in a way that relates to real-life situations today.

As the course is student-oriented, Carnana said, there are segments dedicated to driving under the influence and distracted driving.

“We have a bunch of video presentations that kids seem to relate to very well,” Carnana said.

The inaugural class only had seven students, so Carnana said he is hoping to increase outreach. He commended the support of Tufano’s Pizzeria, which operates in the same building and helps to market the school by including flyers with almost every pizza that gets delivered.

Carnana said one advantage the school has over others in the area is the price. Thirty hours of classroom time and 12 hours of behind-the-wheel driving is $265 at One Way Driving School, but it can range from $300 to $500 elsewhere, Carnana said.

The next class will be Jan. 8. Classes are from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. To sign up, call 847-659-9670.

For information on upcoming classes, visit the One Way Driving School's website.