A Queens driving school and multiple Staten Island DMV workers conspired in a pay-for-license scheme that handed out hundreds of driver’s licenses to unqualified New Yorkers in exchange for money, authorities announced Tuesday.
Investigators said T&E Driving School in Flushing advertised itself to Chinese immigrants and charged them $1,600 to $2,000 for a license, the Staten Island Advance reported.
Police said the school would then pay off DMV workers at three locations on Staten Island, according to WNBC. Sometimes the scheme involved imposters taking road tests, and sometimes the DMV workers would simply issue the licenses, cops said.
“Too many people have gotten driver’s licenses because of corruption, because of theft,” Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon said Tuesday at a press conference. “Countless individuals are driving on our roads without demonstrating the skills necessary to do it safely.”
McMahon’s office used cameras at the DMV testing sites and an undercover police officer to unravel the scheme, WCBS reported. The undercover cop paid $1,600 to T&E Driving School, then was told he passed the test and received a license, according to police.
T&E Driving School owner Weixan Tan, 38; secretary Weiwan Tan, 40, and employee Winnie Yang, 36, were arrested in the case, according to the Advance. DMV employees and Staten Island residents Edward Queen, 40; Aji Idicula, 43, and Tianna Rose Andolina, 30, were also arrested.
School owner Weixan Tan, 38; secretary Weiwan Tan, 40, and employee Winnie Yang, 36, were arrested in the case, according to the Advance. DMV employees and Staten Island residents Edward Tarik Queen, 40; Aji Idicula, 43, and Tianna Rose Andolina, 30, were also arrested.
Originally Published: July 2, 2025 at 1:31 PM EDT