Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/06/2025

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  The initial fee for the school was $3000 which I paid in front. I completed the course for at least 8 month and at the end I was not able to finish due to loss of all the documents that they told me to drop off at *********** This driving school is very unprofessional, changed curriculum midway through me finishing the course and then the instructor berated me insinuating that I would destroy the transmission which goaded me into switching to automatic transmission then charging me $500 more to switch. They had told myself and other students that if you failed a test you would have 3 attempts before paying to take a test again. They changed the information and we had to pay $150 to retake a test. They failed to provide us correct information while state examiners would ask us questions that they said shouldve been taught to us by the school. It has been a horrible experience and they need to give me my money back so I can attend a more polished school. I lost all this time on attending the school, and all the money I put into, I have been calling and emailed so many times and there is no call back or any form of communication. 

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/17/2025

  We have received your complaint and are currently conducting a thorough review of the serious allegations contained therein. Be advised that each of your stated concerns including the initial fees, alleged curriculum alterations, instructional conduct, testing policy modifications, the provision of information, the loss of documentation, and the lack of communication will be meticulously examined against our established protocols and records.

  It is our standard practice to adhere strictly to the terms and conditions outlined at the commencement of enrollment. Any deviations from these terms, or any conduct inconsistent with professional standards, will be addressed with appropriate rigor.

  We will undertake a comprehensive internal investigation of the events you have described. Following the conclusion of this investigation, a determination will be made regarding the appropriate response. Understand that while we acknowledge your expressed dissatisfaction, any resolution will be predicated upon the findings of our review and adherence to established policies.

  Allow a reasonable timeframe for this process to be completed. You will be contacted directly with the outcome of our review and any subsequent action we deem necessary. Unsubstantiated claims and demands will not dictate the outcome, which will be based solely on the verifiable facts and our institutional regulations.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/09/2024

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Consumer fraud & deceptive practice act. I started school November first 2023.I had six months to complete class hours and yard time. I finished my class time and observation hours just before my six months were up .i was told by office personal I would be fine if I went over the six months as long as my class hours and observation hours were completed. i went one week over my end date. I sent an email to the manager of the program if I could have an extension to pay the rest of my balance off (***** alpha). I paid the rest of it off on time. I then was told I needed to purchase a 2000 dollar extension to finish my 20 hr road and 20 hr skills which was not in any contract so I agreed then 3 months pass I call the school to pay them the money. I then was told they don't do extension anymore and there was nothing they could do. I never received any letters saying I was dropped from the class or even a phone call this is very misleading and fraud.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/09/2024

  The length of course is clearly stated in the contract. The Illinois Secretary of State requirements must me followed per said contract.  We do give a student flexibility however if a student cannot complete a 160 hours course in 6 months there is nothing we can do about it. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/11/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  These people are scam artists! I've spent over 120 hours between classes and observations and had 0 hands-on learning. I spent 20 hours standing by a truck by myself to complete the observation part. Not 1 second was there ever an instructor. They scammed me out of $4000. Out of the 100 hours, I spent in class all they ever did was replay ******* videos of how I should be doing exercises while I'm out on the road or videos of what I should be eating while out on the road and other nonsense videos. Instead of playing videos on what I needed to pass their class. Their pre-trip was impossible for me to pass I spent numerous hours studying and you have to memorize 224 things to say and say it in front of the class while pretending it was snowing or raining and with no visual aid and say all 224 things and if you missed 3 out of the 224 they failed you and then would have reschedule 1-2 weeks later to try again. I wouldn't recommend this school to my worst enemy. They need to be investigated and shut down they are robbing people of their education, hard-earned money, and time. I only chose this school because they had good reviews but realized 95% of them are fake and as soon as someone leaves them a negative review they try and get it deleted.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/17/2025

  We have reviewed your inflammatory statements and find them to be a gross mischaracterization of our established training program. Your assertions of fraudulent activity and a lack of instruction are unequivocally false and will be addressed with the seriousness they warrant.

  The structure of our curriculum, including observation hours, is clearly outlined and adheres to industry standards. While observation may involve periods of independent engagement, it is a necessary component of practical learning within this field. The suggestion that no instruction was provided is a blatant falsehood.

  Our classroom instruction utilizes a variety of resources to prepare students for the demands of the profession. While supplementary materials may be used to enhance understanding, they are part of a structured curriculum designed to meet specific learning objectives. The pre-trip inspection is a critical safety evaluation, and the standards for assessment are rigorous to ensure competence. The requirement for comprehensive knowledge is non-negotiable for the safety of all road users.

  Your unsubstantiated claims regarding the authenticity of our reviews are noted and dismissed. We operate with integrity and any attempts to defame our reputation with false accusations will be met with appropriate action.

  We expect factual and professional communication. Your baseless accusations and demands are unwarranted and will not dictate our response. Any further dissemination of these false claims will be addressed through appropriate channels.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/03/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I enrolled in the Alpha Truck Driving school at a cost of $4100 to obtain a cdl license with a manual transmission certification. After only a few hours of street driving, I realized the instructors were unprofessional and unsafe. My instructor was yelling, hitting the dashboard, grabbing the gear shifter, and demanding I stop the truck while in traffic. All unsafe practices in my opinion. I decided to change from a manual transmission cert to an automatic transmission cert. They charged me another $1500 to change to an automatic cert. Originally, and automatic cert was only $3100. I ended up paying $5600 for the automatic cert. Since I was already 3/4 of the way through the course and I wanted to finish before Christmas, I paid and obtained my license. I believe the extra fees they charged me were exorbitant, not warranted, arbitrary, since they have basis in reality for costs incurred by the business for a student switching certs. It is also predatory since they know students who are almost done with the course would rather pay up than quit. I ended up paying $2500 more than an automatic cert was originally. I should be refunded the $1500 that I paid, since I originally paid $1000 more than an automatic cert costs.

  

  Business Response

  Date: 01/14/2023

  This complaint is full of wrong information. ************ switched his course to an automatic transmission at his own request. The pricing  he has provided is not correct as we have never offered the price he quoted for an automatic transmission. ************ has received a senior citizens discount for the additional time he has purchased.  What is correct that our instructors yelled and grabbed the shifter while *********** drove the truck to prevent an certain collision with a passenger vehicle. After said situation occurred with 2 different instructors *********** decided to switch to an automatic transmission vehicle stating to one of the instructors that a manual transmission truck was too much for him. ************ paid additional fees for additional time spent in a truck to prepare him for the exam which he has passed all parts at a first attempt. We did not receive any indication that *********** had any issues during the course. Yet he has decided to tarnish our reputation on social media and attempt to extort our business. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 01/17/2023

   
  Complaint: 18676959
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  * The story about grabbing the wheel and shifter to avoid a collision is an outright lie. There were no other vehicles involved. This is a case of extremely emotional instructors who over react. They performed unsafe actions and created an unsafe condition by not instructing, only yelling and grabbing the shifter. 

  * The amount they charged to switch from manual to automatic is arbitrary and there is no justification. Their automatic courses were priced at $3100. I spent only 4 or 6 hours on the street shifting a manual transmission. They penalized me $1500 to change to the automatic course, on top of the $4100 I had already paid. I ended up paying $5600 for the automatic course, which is $2500 above what they priced for an automatic course. 
  

  * There is very little difference between the automatic course and the manual course. All of the class work is identical, and 99% of the pre trip inspection is identical. The only adjustments they had to make as a company, was a few more hours on the street with the truck. This does not justify an extra $1500 penalty to switch.

  * It is my belief that this company does this on purpose. They spend no time teaching the shifting on the trucks, and then when the student finally does get behind the wheel, they intentionally make your experience so miserable when on the street, many students switch to automatic course. By this time the student is 80% through the course, and they have no options. Only to quit altogether, or pay the penalty and switch. 

  * After speaking with other students, I am convinced this is not an accident, but it is an intentional scam Alpha uses to extort more tuition from students who don't want the stress of being verbally harassed while learning how to shift. This has occurred to several other students I have spoken with. Again, there is no justification for the exorbitant penalty fee they charge, for making only a slight adjustment in the course curriculum and activities. 

  
  Sincerely,
  
  *****************

  

  Business Response

  Date: 04/17/2025

  We have thoroughly reviewed your feedback and find several of your assertions to be a misrepresentation of our program and its requirements.

  Our curriculum clearly outlines the required hours for both classroom instruction and observation, and these are consistently adhered to. The observation component is designed to provide real-world exposure, and while it may involve independent time, it is a standard practice in the transportation industry.

  The classroom instruction includes a variety of learning materials, including visual aids and practical guidance relevant to the profession. While supplementary resources like publicly available videos may be utilized to enhance understanding of specific concepts, they are integrated within a structured curriculum aimed at preparing students for the demands of the field. The pre-trip inspection is a critical safety component of commercial driving, and a comprehensive understanding is essential. The standards for this assessment are in place to ensure the competence and safety of all graduating drivers.

  We take all feedback seriously; however, we must address the severity of your accusations of fraudulent activity and the unsubstantiated claim regarding the authenticity of our reviews. We maintain transparent and ethical business practices and stand by the quality of our training program.

  We encourage you to contact us directly to discuss your specific concerns in a professional and factual manner. We are committed to ensuring our students receive the education they have enrolled in, within the established framework of our curriculum and industry standards. Unsubstantiated and defamatory statements are not constructive and will be addressed accordingly.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/07/2022

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Good morning I made a full payment of $*****.00 to begin my course back in March 19, 2021 and was planning to begin several months afterwards due to covid. Prior to enrolling I was unemployed which was what pushed me to enroll but after I have made the payment I had to go back to work which left me with little time to commit to the course. I planned on beginning early 2022 but I got news that my mother back in ******* was ill so I had to fly there to take care of her. Due to covid and her illness, flying back on time was difficult. My mother ended up passing early March, leaving me unable to fly back in time to begin the course because of this grieving period. For these past few weeks I have been studying to pass my written exams, I passed the "Basic CDL Knowledge", "Combination Vehicle" and "Air Brakes" exams. After taking the exams the person at the office let me know that the $3,000 automatic course I paid for has expired. I explained to the person my situation and they told me to email them explaining what happened. Overall, covid and the death of my mother in ******* has put many hardships on me as I also have a family of 5 to support. Would there be any chance that the time limit could be extended so that I would not have to pay for the course again? I look forward to hearing back. This is the answer I from them: Hello ************,We are sorry to hear about your loss, please accept our condolences.Unfortunately, your course has expired and a new enrollment is necessary.We would like to offer you the course at the original price you have paid which is ***** dollars and not at the current rate. Please let us know if there is anything else we can do for you.Thank you

  

  Business Response

  Date: 10/18/2022

  The complaint is not valid due to violation of the school student contract that states that; the student has a maximum of 9 months to complete the course. The contract also states that student needs to inform the school in writing of any prolonged absence over 30 days.