Academy of Driving shut down by state officials for 'safety risks'

It's about time! Why did it take so long for officials to act?

Why not publish the school's name

Hey Now wrote:

Why not publish the school's name

"Academy of Driving" pay attention!!

Any idea on how to obtain my certificate showing completion of the D&A (8 hr course) from the Academy and also money paid for "package 2" - 2 hr driving time and taking the road test with their vehicle??

Dr. Science just because one portuguese person made a huge mistake don't just everyone one else.

Maybe this helps explain all the azz-wholes on CT's roads...

Hey Now wrote:

Why not publish the school's name

...and might I add that the octagonal red sign at the end of the road means "come to a complete stop"....this may be helpful to all of those who don't pay attention...

Last American Cowboy wrote:

Now correct me if I am wrong. Is this the same guy that was busted for getting a bunch of illegeez a drivers license a while back?

Yes.

Interesting editorial on the NT website about Academy of Driving which states a now retired DMV agent brought the problems about Academy of Driving to the attention of the DMV and they ignored him. It wasn't until the he was quoted in the Hartford Courant about the Sousas' violations that DMV took action. Sounds like there might be some wrong-doing on DMV's end as well. Why didn't the DMV investigate when one of their own agents was complaining about this school? How were students able to pass the driving test and get licensed? A DMV inspector is supposed to do the testing?

I got my driver training from the Academy of Driving and I never attended one class. since then, I've caused ten accidents within 6 months and my insurance company dropped me.

I took driving lessons from Academy of Driving, and it was terrible. The instructors were mean, and they expected me to know how to drive perfectly after sitting in a classrom for who-knows how many wasted hours (they said I didn't need any prior driving experience...ha! My first driving lessson was AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN. Wished they had cancelled that lesson..almost crashed ito someone!). This news doesn't surprise me at all.

simplyamazed wrote:

I got my driver training from the Academy of Driving and I never attended one class. since then, I've caused ten accidents within 6 months and my insurance company dropped me.

....this is not my writing, definitely not my driving record, and I wish the Newstimes would bounce jerks who use other peoples names...yeah, right....

Just as an FYI.... I just got off the phone with Academy of Driving office and THEY ARE REFUSING TO GIVE REFUNDS! Not to mention - not being nice on the phone!! I asked to speak to someone in charge and was told they are too busy to take a phone call.

This is why parent(s) are the usually the best teachers, and you don't have to pay, to end up as the best... I've been a licensed driver for 36 years and have never even had a fender-bender, my eldest son who was instructed by me, has a CDL and has no infractions thus far, I guess that would speak for itself; the manual is great but you have to have Real-Life situations to excel. I, myself, was instructed by my own parent, and I do owe these lessons to my ability to foresee and compensate...
Aside from that, one has to know when a driver is to be acceptable on their own, just because the law states they can apply for license, doesn't mean they should qualify, and according to the person that should be in charge, ie., the parent or guardian, this should always be an optional rite of passage.
We have many rules and regulations to prohibit teen drivers, but we have nothing that monitors the people who teach them, this in itself allows abuse.
Until the policies are reformed, or totally changed, we will always have incompetent drivers on the road, bad judgment upon Academy of Driving, I suppose they saw the sheep needing fleecing...

Kim wrote:

Just as an FYI.... I just got off the phone with Academy of Driving office and THEY ARE REFUSING TO GIVE REFUNDS! Not to mention - not being nice on the phone!! I asked to speak to someone in charge and was told they are too busy to take a phone call.

Did you contact the Attny generals office? he stated he would protect you

I'm an owner of another school and from my understanding the Sousas have been doing bad things for years, but I don't believe it had anything to do with illegals. The driving schools that were involved with illegal immigrants have been closed and are in jail. The sousas prob. won't get jail time b/c they have the $ for a good attorney!

Can you please tell me if you were able to get any documentation? My daughter completed the course 2+ years ago but did not get her license as she was going to be at college. She either lost or never received the certificate from Academy. We went to DMV today and they will not let her test without it. We contacted Allstar Driving (who took over Academy) but they indicated that they do not have any records from Academy. My daughter may now need to take the training all over again!
Any help would be much appreciated!

Kim wrote:

Any idea on how to obtain my certificate showing completion of the D&A (8 hr course) from the Academy and also money paid for "package 2" - 2 hr driving time and taking the road test with their vehicle??