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Learn to Drive School in Albany County Operated Illegally After Losing License
DMV’s Division of Field Investigation Charges Owner After Extensive Investigation into Multiple Complaints, Including That It Continued to Operate Without a License
DMV Urges Consumers to Use Search Tool to Find Licensed Driving Schools
The owner of an Albany County driving school is facing multiple criminal charges for alleged continued illegal conduct by running that school.
Charles D. Lanza, 54, is charged with multiple misdemeanor counts of operating an unlicensed driving school and operating as an unlicensed driving instructor. Lanza ran Learn to Drive School Inc., which had its driving school license revoked in March 2025 following an administrative hearing. Lanza continued to operate as a driving school, despite the revocation. To avoid being turned away at road test sites, he directed students to say that they did not take driving lessons with his unlicensed school. He has a website that remains online and falsely says the school is licensed.
The Albany County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case.
“DMV takes its responsibility to protect the public, especially young New Yorkers, from illicit and predatory operators seriously,” said NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Acting Commissioner Christian Jackstadt. “Governor Hochul has made it clear that public safety and affordability are her top priorities, so make no mistake – if someone refuses to obey the rules and deceives the public by claiming to run a legitimate driving school, and allegedly taking their hard-earned money in the process, we will shut them down and assist in their vigorous prosecution.”
Multiple students reported feeling unsafe as a result of Learn to Drive’s deceptive practices. Complaints against Learn to Drive include, but are not limited to, customers being taken to road test sites in vehicles and with instructors that they had not seen before; customers paying for driving instruction that was not given; students being told to drive in vehicles that were not inspected and road-ready; and students being used to pick up and drop off unknown individuals who were not receiving driving instruction.
Lanza faces a total of 11 charges in two different Albany area courts.
In Albany City Criminal Court, Lanza faces three counts of operating an unlicensed driving school and two counts of operating as an unlicensed driving instructor. He must return to that court at 9 a.m. Wednesday, August 19.
In Bethlehem Town Justice Court, Lanza faces three counts of operating an unlicensed driving school and three counts of operating as an unlicensed driving instructor. He is due back in that court at 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 18.
A criminal charge is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
In December, DMV warned consumers to be wary of the school, which continued to operate illegally after having its operating licensed revoked.
Learn to Drive was running out of 235 Lark Street in Albany, and promoting on its website, nydrives.com, that it was NYS Certified. It continued to advertise itself as both a driving school and pre-licensing course provider, even though it was no longer authorized to conduct driving lessons or pre-licensing courses. Any driving instruction or pre-licensing course certificate provided by an unlicensed school cannot be accepted by the DMV.
A prospective student can find a licensed driving school and a place to take the pre-licensing course on DMV’s website. The search tool enables customers to enter their city or zip code, the search distance, and what kind of vehicle they wish to learn to drive: auto, motorcycle, truck, bus, or tractor trailer.
DMV also provides a page on its website with a list of online pre-licensing providers.