For a group of soon-to-be drivers, the experience of getting behind the wheel for the first time was made even more nerve-wracking because they didn't know if they would get all the instruction they needed to get their driver's licenses after the driving school they were attending seemingly closed up shop overnight.
But it turns out the owner didn't shut her school down – 4 Investigates caught up with the owner of TLC Driving School and asked her what was going on.
"Do you know what happened when they came in and they said, 'your school is no good and what you're doing out here is no good," said Julia Gonzales, the owner of TLC Driving School. "It took the fire out of what I was trying to do."
Parents were frustrated after paying for their kids' driving education only to come to the school to find shuttered doors, and were left with unanswered phone calls.
"I paid them, we had a contract for them to help me get my daughter driving within six months, and in the emails, she could care less about the inconvenience for me," said Jenny Peixotto on Dec. 10 after finding out the school had mysteriously seemingly closed up shop.
"When I tried to contact them to get the last session, the driving session for my son, the voicemail was full," said another parent, Liz Parra.
Their kids were midway through driver's education, and parents couldn't reach Gonzales. The parents had paid TLC $280 up front, and students were left wondering if they could ever finish their certification.
The sign at the school still read TLC Driving School, but look in the window and all you can find is antiques and ceramics.
After KOB's initial report aired, Gonzales started contacting parents, telling them the students would have to spend more time driving and that she wanted more money.
"I was really upset because as I had already told her, I had already paid for the hours…all seven behind-the-wheel hours," said one parent.
4 Investigates asked Gonzales why she avoided parents when they were looking for answers three weeks ago.
"We had a staffing issue; my ops manager quit [and] there was nobody to do the reporting," Gonzales said.
She added that the state agency that regulates driving schools determined TLC wasn't adhering to the standards, wanted the school to make drastic changes and forcing some students to add more driving hours.
4 Investigates: "So you were having trouble with your business and with the people who regulate this industry. Did you communicate that to parents?"
Gonzales: "The parents…no."
4 Investigates: "That seems like a mistake on your part."
Gonzales: "Yeah I agree, but I honestly thought the state would understand."
Gonzales admits she could have done things better, which is why after two decades running the school, she is now looking for someone else to manage TLC.
"The management part has been tough for me because I had to come into a management style that was my husband's, and now mine is different," Gonzales said.
During 4 Investigates' interview with Gonzales, she said she would no longer demand additional money on top of what was originally agreed upon, but that she would accept "donations" from parents.
But it turns out the owner didn't shut her school down – 4 Investigates caught up with the owner of TLC Driving School and asked her what was going on.
"Do you know what happened when they came in and they said, 'your school is no good and what you're doing out here is no good," said Julia Gonzales, the owner of TLC Driving School. "It took the fire out of what I was trying to do."
Parents were frustrated after paying for their kids' driving education only to come to the school to find shuttered doors, and were left with unanswered phone calls.
"I paid them, we had a contract for them to help me get my daughter driving within six months, and in the emails, she could care less about the inconvenience for me," said Jenny Peixotto on Dec. 10 after finding out the school had mysteriously seemingly closed up shop.
"When I tried to contact them to get the last session, the driving session for my son, the voicemail was full," said another parent, Liz Parra.
Their kids were midway through driver's education, and parents couldn't reach Gonzales. The parents had paid TLC $280 up front, and students were left wondering if they could ever finish their certification.
The sign at the school still read TLC Driving School, but look in the window and all you can find is antiques and ceramics.
After KOB's initial report aired, Gonzales started contacting parents, telling them the students would have to spend more time driving and that she wanted more money.
"I was really upset because as I had already told her, I had already paid for the hours…all seven behind-the-wheel hours," said one parent.
4 Investigates asked Gonzales why she avoided parents when they were looking for answers three weeks ago.
"We had a staffing issue; my ops manager quit [and] there was nobody to do the reporting," Gonzales said.
She added that the state agency that regulates driving schools determined TLC wasn't adhering to the standards, wanted the school to make drastic changes and forcing some students to add more driving hours.
4 Investigates: "So you were having trouble with your business and with the people who regulate this industry. Did you communicate that to parents?"
Gonzales: "The parents…no."
4 Investigates: "That seems like a mistake on your part."
Gonzales: "Yeah I agree, but I honestly thought the state would understand."
Gonzales admits she could have done things better, which is why after two decades running the school, she is now looking for someone else to manage TLC.
"The management part has been tough for me because I had to come into a management style that was my husband's, and now mine is different," Gonzales said.
During 4 Investigates' interview with Gonzales, she said she would no longer demand additional money on top of what was originally agreed upon, but that she would accept "donations" from parents.
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