Choosing a Driving School (Driver safety)

Choosing professional driving instruction is one way to help ready yourself safely for the road.

A driver training course or high-school driver education program approved by the provincial government can teach you the skills and attitudes you need to be a safe and responsible driver. You may also be eligible to take your road test sooner and to save money on insurance premiums.

Approved driver training courses in Ontario must offer at least 25 hours of classroom training and 10 hours of behind-the-wheel training. Look for a program that offers high quality instruction and a comfortable learning environment. Approved high-school driver education programs offer in-class and in-car training after school for a fee. Courses are administered by the local school board, a principal or other high school authority. They are taught in high-school classrooms by qualified instructors.

To help you choose the best driving school and course for you, use the following checklist of features:

* Course information package

* Audio visual equipment

* Classroom facilities

* In-vehicle topics covered

* Risk perception and management

* Driving in adverse conditions

* Instructor qualifications and experience

* Student progress and evaluation reports

* Minimum 25 classroom and 10 behinds-

The-wheel instruction hours

* Certification fee

* Tuition receipts

* Testimonials

* Personalized program

* Low student/teacher ratio

* Basic man oeuvres

* Strategic driving

* Freeway driving

* Night driving

* Regular instructor upgrading

* Certificate of completion

* Training materials

* Use of vehicle for road test

* Registered educational institution

* Number of years in business

* Consumer protection insurance