Seattle driving school caught selling passing driving test grades

SEATTLE – A driving school in Seattle was closed after the operator was found to have fraudulently passed student driving tests for money.

The Department of Licensing (DOL) operators began an investigation into the operator of the Emerald City Driving School in May after receiving a report that the operator exchanged driving test grades for cash.

“They witnessed groups of people arriving and leaving without taking a driver’s license test,” said DOL communications manager Christine Anthony.

Anthony said the DOL was in the process of terminating Wong’s driving test contract and suspending his driving school license, but Wong went ahead and closed his business.

“He admitted to our investigators that he had been involved in fraudulent tests over the past few years,” said Anthony.

Washington State requires people under the age of 18 who wish to obtain a driver’s license to take driver training courses before passing a knowledge and driving ability test.

Those over 18 can take classes if they wish, but only need to pass the tests to get a driver’s license.

These tests can be taken at a DOL location or at privately owned driving schools such as the Emerald City Driving School.

The shop is now closed with no signs at the front. The school’s Yelp page shows positive reviews.

A call to the company’s main line wasn’t returned until Thursday evening.

The DOL investigation continues and the staff continues to search the files. According to Anthony, Wong has been selling existing things for driver’s licenses for possibly two to three years.

It is unclear how much Wong charged for passing grades.