Hinsdale Driving School Accused Of Fraud, Reckless Behavior

HINSDALE, IL – The secretary of state has closed a driving school with locations in Hinsdale and La Grange, accusing it of fraud and reckless behavior.

The agency, which licenses driving schools, said A Responsible Driver posed an "immediate threat" to the public welfare.

Patch obtained documents in the case through a public records request.

The driving school, owned by Willowbrook resident Bryan Kearney, lacked an instructor with a valid instructor's license, liability insurance on training vehicles and a safety certificate from the state Department of Transportation.

"(Kearney) is engaging in reckless behavior that is putting his students and the general public at risk," Brenda Glahn, an attorney with the secretary of state's office, said in a March report. "(His) actions may result in poorly trained persons operating motor vehicles on the roadway who may engage in actions dangerous to themselves and other users of the roadway."

The report also said Kearney failed to maintain proper records. He repeatedly listed students as completing their schooling when records showed they had not met the required amount of training, according to the state agency.

On June 4, 2025, a parent told Hinsdale police about dropping off her daughter for a two-hour driver's education class, but no instructor showed up, according to the report.

Despite that, the school listed the class as happening, with 21 of 22 students marked present, the report said.

The landlord told police that Kearney said he had "overslept," the report said.

On May 7, a hearing officer for the secretary of state ordered the cancellation of the school's license.

Kearney attended a hearing on March 18. He requested a delay, saying he needed an attorney. The hearing officer granted his request.

He failed to show for an April 23 hearing, according to public records.

Patch could not reach Kearney for comment. The school's website is down, and its phone number is out of service.