Complaintsfor160 Driving Academy

• Initial Complaint

  07/12/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I attended 160 driving academy in October 2023 I took the required classes and my test at the *** passed my test got my permit passed my physical and drug test started the behind the wheel training for 2 days they didn't show me logged in the system I contacted the coordinator numerous times no response I want to complete my training permit will expire in November

• Initial Complaint

  05/30/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  First week of classroom training was via zoom. Internet connectivity was horrible and problematic to all course attendees. No sound, skipping video constantly. Redundant questions from participants due to quality of zoom meeting. 160 employees were made aware constantly that problems were happening. Instructor stated it wasn't on his end and not his problem. I finished up the classroom training from home because of inadequate resources in their office.I passed my CDL permit test and moved to yard training.Immediately instructors were yelling and bad mouthing students, especially of color or limited English speakers. After practicing a maneuver for the first time I then became the object of anger. I had never been shown how to properly perform the maneuver and wanted to get seat time so gladly attempted. During training one of the instructors made lewd and sexually charged comments towards a female truck driver in another yard. I've attempted to get a refund and after three weeks I think they are purposefully withholding my refund out of spite and greed. This is not a professional company or environment for quality learning. I didn't fork over $5000 to get belittled and yelled at.

• Initial Complaint

  05/08/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I was threatened to be punched in the back of the head by an instructor when I confronted that instructor he then threatened to go to his truck and get his gun and shoot me.

  Customer response

  05/08/2024

  The incident happened today I talked to the school today they dropped me from the school today. Today's date is 5/8/2024

• Initial Complaint

  01/05/2024

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  The ******* lead yard instructor ********************* falsifies skills hours turned into FMCSA. 2 current students had less than 7 hrs of skills ********** changed it to the required 36 hrs in order to have them test the next day at the ***** ********** of ****** Safety. He never leaves his desk much less teach ** any maneuvers. The class/course is taught & run by a single instructor named *********************, hes the only reason anyone learns anything. 160driving academy is quick to take $5,000 tuition but hard to speak to corporate to file a complaint. Last week the main truck was parked 2 days without fuel when it could of been used by students to practice skills/maneuvers.

• Initial Complaint

  12/27/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I was attending 160 driving academy and recently had to stop for personal reasons although I dont feel like the school was helping me at all. I dont even want a full refund. Just a partial refund.

• Initial Complaint

  11/06/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  I paid **** for cdl a school but after week in class I knew and I regret it that they werent good they were disorganized and they truck was always broke so it wasted 2 months of mine in the beginning they told that I would pass and get my cola if I didnt I would get second chance when I had test they didnt even tell me when is my test they emailed me on the last day of class that my test is tomorrow which was already bad idea and it was in different city they shouldve told me all this in the beginning which they didnt and after I did my test I failed so I asked for second chance the branch manager was asking for more money $2600 dollars to come school for like little time not whole month or week I refused to pay so he told me I cant get second chance and I asked for my money back and I asked for someone to talk to he said theres non to talk to and he is the big boss and owner and they always laughed and made fun of me and other students

• Initial Complaint

  08/21/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Customer Service Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Training you are suppose to have 1 Trainer to 4 students. They fired a few instructors. They mainly focus on the contractors. They have favoritism. I complained to the office about my issues. I had a Dr. **** and they waited later in the date to inform me that I am on hold from finishing my last two days due to my attendance. I call the office and I was informed that I was off of hold. They waited a whole week to inform me that I am not proficient enough. They made me due a full examine on stuff I was not trained on. After my complaint they then tell me that now I can finish my last two days of training. They would not inform me who to call to file a complaint. I would like a full refund.

• Initial Complaint

  05/25/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  Complaint taken over phone by BBB representative BA.

  Consumer signed up for a five week CDL course in February of 2023. He paid the full tuition of $5420. He went for a week in February and then was told to not come back until mid-April. He went for 1 and 1/2 more weeks before they told him he couldn't come back.  It was never explained before he signed up that there would be a gap between training. The business has not let him complete the course because they say he has a vision problem. He has been cleared by the medical doctors that the company chose, cleared by the **** and his own doctor. The training has been improper as well as the driving testing. They had him driving out on the road after 3 days without any training in maneuvering. They won't allow him to practice maneuvers in the yard for his CDL and told him they have to get permission from the main office in order for him to be on the facility grounds. They are now blocking his calls.

  Business response

  06/02/2023

  *************************** began classroom training at 160 Driving Academy on 2/13/2023. Upon enrollment in the program, ******* was notified that there was a yard delay due to overcrowding, and there would be a gap in his training. After ******* completed classroom training, he was given his yard start date of 4/18/2023. However, we were able to move this up so he could begin yard training on 4/10/2023. After beginning yard training, around 4/28/2023, he informed one of his instructors that he was unable to see out of one eye. Due to the nature of our industry, we requested that the student complete another eye exam as a safety measure, which he passed. However, after reviewing all medical documentation he provided us, information was withheld and/or falsified during his DOT physical. As a result, this student will need to obtain a new medical card with complete and accurate information. Additionally, this student will need to pay for additional training if they want to continue the program, as they have already received 180 hours of training. Per ******** enrollment agreement, any training over 175 hours will incur an additional cost. The enrollment agreement also clearly outlines 160 Driving Academys refund policy, which ******* signed acknowledgement of on 2/8/2023. According to our withdrawal, refund, and cancellation policy, a student who starts class and withdraws after the academic term is 40% completed will not be entitled to a refund of the tuition and fees for the current and academic term.

  Customer response

  06/08/2023

   
  Complaint: 20070904
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  The cones were not designated to where there was a difference they were all the same and I was told I had more hours to drive and I didnt even finish my 3rd week and I didnt falsify my eye test and wasnt asked any questions about my eyes and the person that did my eye test filled out my application for me because the laptop didnt work she answered all the questions for me and I still passed the test and I gave ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* after I paid my money and only instilled them
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  Customer response

  06/14/2023

   
  Complaint: 20070904
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  I gave a response to this letter on the 6/08/23
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  Business response

  06/27/2023

  160 stands by our initial response.  

  Per ******** enrollment agreement, any training over 175 hours will incur an additional cost. The enrollment agreement also clearly outlines 160 Driving Academys refund policy, which ******* signed acknowledgement of on 2/8/2023. According to our withdrawal, refund, and cancellation policy, a student who starts class and withdraws after the academic term is 40% completed will not be entitled to a refund of the tuition and fees for the current and academic term.  Our records indicate that you have inquired about returning to training with the ********* branch, to please be sure that you complete training within the time frame allowed for ****.

  Customer response

  06/28/2023

   
  Complaint: 20070904
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  I havent received the hours stated in the letter and the time I received with the instructor wasnt accounted for cause there would be 5 people in a group and you only instructed at the most 3 hours a day and as stated they advertised 4 weeks to get my CDL class A and they knew that it was impossible with the students they had assigned to the yard inadequate training they kept the majority of the people who self payed together theres more to complain about this is part I was only in the yard two and half weeks that dont add up to 175 hours 
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

  Business response

  06/29/2023

  Thank you *******.  
  
  Most training is conducted in a group setting.  Our progress and attendance records are accurate, with 20 additional hours given to you at no charge.  We do wish to see you complete when/if able to return to test.  Please reach out to your branch manager regarding next steps if you are still interested in returning to complete your training. This file will be requested to be closed.

  Customer response

  06/29/2023

   
  Complaint: 20070904
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  The stated 20 are false cause I was never on the facility that much time you say group setting then I still dont add up to the hours you claim 4/10 til 4/26 a half a day was not allowed back on th facility after repeated calls to do so and I didnt miss any days saying I had had three report off was incorrect a week of class 40 hours and just 2 and a half weeks the hours dont add up. To 180 hours I question the fact that group sessions dont give you adequate time to practice the choice of how I receive permission to return should be up to you. The reason I wasnt allowed back was stated by ****** that the decision was yours and I did go back to eye doctor you had choice and they didnt exam me now that you have delayed my schooling my learning permit is going to expire which I feel you know that ****** is and she has all the documents stating my eyes are okay I refuse to pay anymore money and should be compensated for my losses of time and lost possible wages and reimbursement me my fee I was told 4 weeks and not over 270 days by doing what your doing I have until October to finish 
  Sincerely,
  
  ***************************

• Initial Complaint

  04/10/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  3/20/23 I paid $7000 to this school to get my CDL license. Right from the beginning it was very unorganized and no real structure. Once I got to the hands on training, the hands on training was subpar. No running water and minimal shade. I was expected to learn from other students. The instructors were very unprofessional and very unapproachable. If you didnt understand something right away they got irritated and passed off to another instructor. I had to wait 2-3 hours to do one maneuver. I witnessed the gates being locked behind us on many occasions because other previous students would come back and fight with the instructors. I felt very unsafe while on the road training because the instructor would be fighting with a student. I filed a complaint with the school about the hostile work environment and the unprofessional instructors. Their response was that they blamed me for not being proficient, according to their standards

  Business response

  04/19/2023

  **** enrolled at 160 Driving Academy on 2/15/2023 and began class on 2/20/2023. The student was enrolled in a 160-hour program and had received 168 hours of training. After 168 hours, the student was contacted to inform them that they were over on training hours and would be given 7 additional training hours to become proficient. At that time, they would be assessed by their lead instructor to determine their proficiency for being sent to test for their CDL exam. Per FMCSA regulations, they could not be submitted to test until they had achieved proficiency.  If they would require additional training after 175 hours, they could pay 160 Driving Academy for the hours, or they could drop our program and choose to finish training and testing elsewhere. The student was notified on 4/7/2023, by email, of the above. On 4/10/2023, the student contacted our Head of Schools, ********, with their complaints. ******** responded to the complaints indicating that we would investigate their claims accordingly, and we did receive a response from the student. The only communication received since from the student was an email on 4/11/2023 to their branch manager indicating their desire to drop the program. The students training was funded through a loan, and they did not pay any money directly to 160 Driving Academy. Per the students enrollment agreement, they are not eligible for a refund from 160 Driving Academy.

  Customer response

  04/22/2023

   
  Complaint: 19920027
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  They are not addressing any of my complaints about the hostile work environment as well as their unsafe  teaching practices. The lack of unprofessionalism is also not addressed. I find it interesting that they are blaming me and not looking at their structure.

  As far as the refund, I would like the school to pay the money to the loan company. I did bring my concerns to the proper people and nothing was done. I was told they would work with me but the did not. Instead they put me right back into the same hostile environment.

  Sincerely,
  
  Nol *****

• Initial Complaint

  04/25/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Order Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  On 4/22/22 around 1 pm. I spoke with examiner **** and asked when will there be a next road test? **** responded by saying that he was full the week prior while testing other students but didnt contact me. Although, I receive a text on the 13th of April stating the road test was cancelled on Friday the 15th due to road blockage and he hasnt rescheduled me since. It has been 3 weeks and no one seem to have an idea as to when my next road test will be. The examiner **** flunk me and refuse to reschedule me another road test. I feel that Im being kept back when I am anxious to move on with Swift orientation. Im on a contract with this school total debt fees of $6000 clocking hours. However, still havent road tested to date, there may be hidden charge unaware, while Im pushed to the side so that other students test. At this point, I feel 160 driving academy dispirited me and that certain people theyll pass, as for others allow to retest the third time, though has stringed me along with more excuses and preventing me to move forward so I can start paying off this contract school fees.

  Business response

  04/13/2023

  ********* was provided with a third test date on 5/16/2022 and passed. He graduated our program the same day and was hired by the company that sponsored his training.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩