October 4, 2006—For Immediate Release
DOL revokes licenses of 41 driver training schools
OLYMPIA—The Department of Licensing (DOL) has taken action to close 41 driver training schools across the state owned by Pierce County resident Gary Probst.
On Oct. 4, Probst signed an agreed order revoking his driver training school licenses and his right to reapply for driver training school licenses for 10 years. His driver instructor license is revoked for 5 years.
Malia Orbino, Probst’s daughter and partner in 19 driving schools, also signed an agreed order revoking her driver training school licenses and her right to reapply for driver training school licenses for 10 years.
The schools involved operate under the names Diamond Driving School, America’s Best Driving School, and Quality Driving School. Together, these schools form the largest chain of driving schools in the state.
Students currently attending the affected schools will be allowed to finish their courses, but all courses must be finished by the end of this year.
“This is great news for the driver training school industry and the safety of our teen drivers,” DOL Director Liz Luce said. “This wraps up serious concerns we’ve had about Probst’s business practices and the quality of instruction he was providing to our young people.”
The driver training school license revocations will be effective on Feb. 15, 2007. Probst has until that date to release all ownership and financial interests in his driving schools. Probst will be allowed to sell his driver training schools during this period, but these schools must reapply for new driver training school licenses and meet all current requirements.
This action was based on charges that Probst entered pleas of guilty to several charges in a general court martial and therefore did not meet state driver training school ownership requirements. These charges included signing false official documents, wrongfully appropriating government property, making and using a false writing in connection with a claim, and wearing unauthorized awards and decorations.
The agreed order also alleged that Probst failed to produce driver training school records requested by DOL. Under the agreed order Probst does not admit these violations but acknowledges that there are sufficient facts to determine they are true.
This administrative action does not affect a felony criminal charge of first-degree theft recently filed by the state against Probst in Thurston County Superior Court. In that case, a joint investigation by DOL, the Department of Revenue, the Washington State Patrol, and the Attorney General’s Office uncovered evidence that Probst had evaded the payment of sales and use taxes totaling $14,052 on purchases of 16 vehicles. The trial on this criminal charge is set for the week of Dec. 18.