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Over the past decade, Gary Probst has built the largest driving-school franchise in the state, using hidden ownership agreements to conceal his financial interests, in violation of state law. Repeated state investigations show that schools he controls scoff at state rules and hire unlicensed driving instructors, some hiding behind false names. State investigators, parents and competitors question the training teens receive in Probst's schools. What has the state done in response? Against Probst, nothing.

THE SERIES

Part I: Driving-school mogul slips past regulations
Government agents tail Gary Probst, but he drives too fast. For 10 years, they've been chewing his dust. Probst, 52, lives in Midland – and in Hawaii, Canada, Lakewood and a fist-sized mailbox in an Oregon storefront. It depends on who asks and why.
(Published 12:01AM, July 17th, 2005)

Part II: Investigators unravel decade of deception
Gary Probst commands an army of ghosts. At the Washington driving-school king's bidding, they haunt his enemies and shield his friends.
(Published 12:01AM, July 18th, 2005)

Part III: State didn't go after boss of driving schools
The state of Washington spent almost two years building a case against Gary Probst, Washington's driving-school king – and sat on it.
(Published 12:01AM, July 19th, 2005)

License to Shill HEADLINES
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License to shill: State didn't go after boss of driving schools
Published January 7th, 2013 - 11:07AM
The state of Washington spent almost two years building a case against Gary Probst, Washington's driving-school king – and sat on it.
License to shill: Investigators unravel decade of deception
Published January 7th, 2013 - 11:01AM
Gary Probst commands an army of ghosts. At the Washington driving-school king’s bidding, they haunt his enemies and shield his friends.
License to shill: Driving-school mogul slips past regulations
Published January 7th, 2013 - 10:53AM
Government agents tail Gary Probst, but he drives too fast. For 10 years, they’ve been chewing his dust. Probst, 52, lives in Midland – and in Hawaii, Canada, Lakewood and a fist-sized mailbox in an Oregon storefront. It depends on who asks and why.
Judge OKs Probst’s guilty plea this time
Published February 9th, 2007 - 1:00AM
Gary Probst whiffed his first guilty plea to first-degree theft. Thursday, Washington’s deposed drive-school king tried again and succeeded.
Judge rejects Probst guilty plea
Published January 26th, 2007 - 1:00AM
The plea agreement was signed, the crime freely admitted.
Bridge update: 1/14/2007
Published January 14th, 2007 - 1:00AM
Construction this week on the new Tacoma Narrows bridge:
Deal dissolves drive-school empire
Published October 5th, 2006 - 1:00AM
Gary Probst, Washington’s drive-school king, has been dethroned.
Drive-school king gets his day in court
Published September 29th, 2006 - 1:00AM
Gary Probst, Washington’s drive-school king, was in no mood to pose for photos Thursday, but he didn’t have a choice.
Driving-school mogul charged
Published September 16th, 2006 - 1:00AM
All Gary Probst had to do was pay the sales taxes on cars he bought to train teen drivers. Washington state attorneys say he didn’t.
Drive-school prince eludes forgery charge
Published June 17th, 2006 - 1:00AM
For the second time in a month, a Clallam County judge has scrapped a forgery charge against the son of Washington’s driving-school king.
Patrol dings drive-school prince
Published May 20th, 2006 - 1:00AM
Would-be driving school mogul Sean Probst ran afoul of the Washington State Patrol this week, and the collision wasn’t pretty.
Judge throws out case against drive-school prince
Published May 13th, 2006 - 1:00AM
Proving a man named John Wilson doesn’t exist doesn’t necessarily prove forgery, a Clallam County judge ruled Friday.
Investigation of driving-school empire digs up mysterious character
Published May 11th, 2006 - 1:00AM
Bruce Hanify practices law, not metaphysics – but the Clallam County deputy prosecutor is out to prove a man doesn’t exist.
Charges loom against king of drive schools
Published May 4th, 2006 - 1:00AM
After eight months of fencing, the state Department of Licensing is losing patience with Gary Probst, Washington’s driving-school king.
New law takes aim at tactics used by driving-school overlord
Published March 26th, 2006 - 1:00AM
Laws tighten, attorneys haggle, a court flexes and the state Department of Licensing taps an impatient toe.
Related Documents
  • Court martial document
    1990 court-martial of Gary Probst, and denial of his appeal by U.S. Army Court of Military Review.
  • Media alert
    June 27 media alert to Tom Fitzsimmons, chief of staff to Gov. Christine Gregoire, regarding The News Tribune series.
  • Affidavits
    Affidavits from several individuals who say their names were used falsely in connection with Probst's schools.
  • School contract
    A Probst school franchise contract between Probst and ex-partner Robert Hall.
  • E-mail
    E-mail describing Probst's interference with a driving-school inspection.
  • Investigative summary
    Excerpts from a state investigative summary of Probst and his schools.
  • Deposition excerpts
    Excerpts from a deposition of Gary Probst, conducted June 30, 2003 in Snohomish County Superior Court.
  • Course certificate
    Certificate submitted by Sean Probst to Clallam County District Court as proof of completing a defensive driving course.
  • DOL charges
    DOL issues charges against driver training school owner.
  • Driving schools facing suspension
    Gary Probst owns 41 driver training schools in Washington state. All face potential closure by the state.

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