October 6, 2005 - For Immediate Release
DOL issues charges against driver training school owner
OLYMPIA—The Department of Licensing (DOL) is taking action to suspend or revoke 41 driver training school licenses and the driver training instructor license issued to Pierce County resident Gary R. Probst. Mr. Probst is charged with making false statements on driver training school license applications and failing to provide records to DOL for inspection.
State law gives the director of DOL the power to suspend or revoke a driver training instructor license or a driver training school license if it is determined that the licensee made a false statement on an application or license renewal.
A statement of charges DOL issued on Oct. 5 indicates that on a driver training instructor license application dated Sept. 23, 1995, Probst answered “no” to the question: “Have you ever been convicted of drunken driving, reckless driving, or any crime involving moral turpitude?”
The statement of charges also indicates that on 41 driver training school applications, Probst answered “no” to the question: “Has any officer, director, stockholder, partner, or any person directly or indirectly interested in your school ever been convicted of a crime involving violence, dishonesty, deceit, indecency, degeneracy, or moral turpitude?”
DOL learned that on August 7, 1990, Probst entered guilty pleas to several violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. These violations included:
- Signing false official documents…with intent to deceive;
- Wrongfully appropriating government property;
- Making and using a false writing in connection with a claim; and
- Wearing unauthorized awards and decorations.
Based on his convictions, Probst was ordered to forfeit pay and was dismissed from the service.
The statement of charges also indicates that in June 2002, Probst failed to provide DOL with requested records related to his business. This is a violation of state law and is grounds for suspension or revocation of his driver training instructor license.
Probst has 20 days to request a hearing by the Driver Training School Advisory Committee. This committee, made up of representatives from the driver training school industry, DOL, the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and the state Traffic Safety Commission, will determine the truth of the charges and recommend sanctions. If a hearing is not requested, an order to suspend or revoke these licenses will be issued.
DOL sent statements of charges to Probst and to each of the driver training schools that list him as an owner or partner. The issuance of the statement of charges is not a final action by DOL and the owners of the schools listed in the action will be permitted to continue instructing students during the administrative process.