Unlicensed Driving Instructor Arrested In Albany

A driving instructor in Albany county has been arrested after running a driving school illegally.

Charles Lanza, a 54 year old from Albany is facing multiple charges related to his unlicensed driving school in the Capital Region...

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Losing License

This all centers around Lanza's driving school, "Learn to Drive School Inc." During an administrative hearing in March of 2025, his license to run the school was revoked. That didn't stop Lanza, who continued to run the school, with a few minor changes.

Lanza's school had a website up that falsely claimed it was still licensed, and he instructed his students to deny that they had even taken classes at his school when they went to take their road tests.

A sticker on a car that reads

Their website advertised itself as both a driving school and pre-licensing course provider. The issue is, any driving instruction or pre-licensing course certificate provided by an unlicensed school cannot be accepted by the DMV.

It's All Over

In December 2025, the DMV warned potential clients to be wary of the school. Over the time, multiple complaints came in from former clients. Those complaints included:

• Being taken on road tests with vehicles and instructors they hot not seen before
• Paying for driving instruction that was not provided
• Students being told to drive in uninspected or not road ready vehicles
• Students being asked to pick up and drop off unknown persons who were not involved in the course

Lanza now faces 11 charges spanning across two courts. Albany County Court charged him with three counts of operating an unlicensed driving school and two counts of operating as an unlicensed driving instructor.

Bethlehem Town Justice Court charged him with three counts of operating an unlicensed driving school and three counts of operating as an unlicensed driving instructor.