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F.A.Q. Frequently asked questions

1. Why should I take a driving course?
   
   There are several reasons ...
   
   
1. You will receive professional training from a provincially licenced Driving Instructor. Instructors must attend a Driving Instructors Course at a community college and learn many aspects regarding instructing: the Highway Traffic Act, Defensive Driving, the Procedures for passing a Road Test and more.  Can your friends, relatives or parents help you learn these extras?
2. Instructors are more patient and understanding than friends, relatives or parents. Parents or friends are likely to be startled or frightened, which often leads to disagreements and harsh words. Our understanding instructors are trained to offer encouragement and provide step by step training.
3. Driving school cars are equipped with an additional brake for the Instructor. This keeps everyone safe, as the Instructor can take control in a dangerous situation.
4. Your waiting period for testing is shortened by 4 months. So, with successful completion of an approved driving course, you are eligible to take a G1 Exit test after 8 months, rather than waiting the full 12 months.
5. Insurance companies recognize that professional driver training reduces collisions and injuries.
   
   
2. Do I have to buy insurance?
   
   Insurance is mandatory for driving anywhere in North America. In Ontario, driving without insurance has a minimum fine of $5,000! That is the minimum. It can go to $25,000 and 6 months in jail. A G1 learner driver is automatically covered by the insurance of the trainer driver, (for example) the parent or friend training you. However, you should let the insurance company know that you are driving that vehicle as a learner. You are required to get your own insurance when you attain a G2 or G license.

Insurance Bureau of Canada

3. I heard that everyone fails their first driving test.
   
   No, that's not true.   It is our experience that most 'Applicants' for a driver's licence were unsuccessful for several reasons:
   
   
   1. They were nervous - many good drivers have 'failed to meet standards' due to this. Good Driving Instructors will 'pseudo test' a student several times in order to properly prepare them.
   2. They broke a law. 'Rolling' a stop sign is one of the most common reasons. Speeding or going too slow is another. Many 'Applicants' don't know the 'Rules-of-the-Road or the Right-of-Way, or Proper Driving Procedures.
   3. Poor vehicle control. Some 'Applicants' just haven't driven enough. That's why most provinces and states and many countries have gone to 'Graduated Licensing'. That's why the one year wait to be allowed to take a 'Road Test". Practice, practice, practice! Drive, drive, drive. Statistics show that most drivers require an average of 30 to 50 hours of driving before they are ready to pass their Road Test.
   4. Right-of-Way Violation. They cut someone off. They slowed traffic. They blocked traffic. There are many other Right-of-Way violations but these are the most common.
   5. Observation. Road Test score sheets often make comments regarding "fails to observe properly". Constantly looking and scanning are critical for safe driving. Watch out for the other "guy".
   6. There was something wrong with the car. If your car doesn't meet provincial safety standards, they will reschedule your test.
   7. They didn't know the proper procedures required to pass their Road Test! What is the procedure for an emergency roadside stop?
   
   There are other reasons why people don't pass their test. Our Instructors can help you get though these situations and others.
   
   
4. I heard that Driver Education is boring and a waste of time. 
   
   There has been a problem with driver education. It had not been updated for many years (sleepy / boring). Years ago the big problem was with learning to drive a car in bad weather, in the city, on the highway, parking and passing a road test. Now the main problem it is TRAFFIC. Many people driving today do not know the laws and this puts us at risk. We now have a new approach to driver education, an approach that teachs students, how to think, and how to protect themselves. Our computer projected presentation will have Students working together to discuss various case studies to help them learn, how to avoid collisions.
   
   If you've seen the situation previously, and have thought it through, then you can avoid it.  It's about recognizing dangerous traffic situations and knowing what to do.... case studies. It's about being proactive instead of reactive.
    
   Past statistics have shown that Driver Education is not helping prevent collisions. Driver Education was focused on passing a Road Test.  The Insurance Industry and the Ministry of Transport of Ontario (MTO) are very concerned about this. So, as of September 01, 2009, new legislation has made major changes to the way Driver Education is delivered in Ontario. As of October 2009, MTO revoked the approval of 32 Driving Schools that did not comply with MTO Standards (revoked schools). This is all in an effort to improve Driver Education, to reduce collisions and to protect the public from receiving a poor education. 
   
   
5. Why should I choose Ottawa Driving School Inc?
   
   Our Experience, high standards, well trained Instructors, low price and the NEW enjoyable classroom theory!
   
   We endeavor to provide excellent service.  If you are not happy tell us. We will do our best to correct the problem. If you are happy tell everyone!
   
   We accept Visa/Mastercard/American Express/Cash/Cheque (Debit at Walkley & Orleans).
   
   Experience - Our Chief Instructor has over 30 years of driver education experience. Our Instructors (female and male) are mature with many years experience.
   
   High Standards - We are using a new curriculum.   Interactive Classroom Theory!  This program has students working to learn how collisions occur, and how to prevent them. Far better than the old RoadWorthy curriculum that most schools and high schools use. As of September 01, 2009 all MTO Licensed Driving Schools will have adopted a new 40 hour curriculum.  There are approximately 47 new curriculums available. We have upgraded our instructors. Many schools are having difficulty coping with the new standards.
   
   Great Prices - We offer competitive pricing. Don't be fooled by schools who offer low prices!  You just can't provide a good Driver's Education at a cheap price. Our course and lessons are reasonably priced. Not cheap, not expensive. As one of the largest driver training schools in Ontario, we can offer a reasonable price because of the large number of students we train annually. This benefits you, as it lowers our expenses.
   
   Good Instructors want good wages. Poor Instructors will work for low pay. Do you want good instruction? We endeavour to have the best instructors through higher wages, better working conditions and on going training to improve their skills and knowledge. If you are great at what you do ... Would you accept low wages?
    
6. When is the best time to take a Driver's Ed Course?
   
   Winter. November through February. There are fewer vehicles on the road as many drivers who learned in summer are afraid to drive in winter. This is the slow season and instructors are readily available. During spring and summer months all driving schools are overloaded and instructors overworked. During the spring and summer months there are long waits for Driving Test appointments. Learning during the winter months helps you learn skid prevention, skid recovery and other things like how to keep the windows clear. In winter there are fewer 'speeders' to interfere with training.

Please, call us for answers to specific questions.