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McGuinty Government Improving Beginner Driver Training

Actions Increase Consumer Protection

QUEEN'S PARK, Dec. 27 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government is improving standards for beginner driver education (BDE) in Ontario to help teach novice
drivers safe driving habits and keep Ontario's roads safe, Transportation Minister Jim Bradley announced today.
"We are taking decisive steps to improve standards for beginner driver education programs, so parents can be confident that when they choose a
driving school, their children will learn to drive safely and correctly," said Bradley. "We plan to take additional actions in 2008."
The ministry maintains a list of approved beginner driving schools on its website www.mto.gov.on.ca. To be approved a school must meet ministry
standards or they are removed from the list. A new monitoring and audit program has been implemented, and includes undercover shoppers to ensure standards are being followed. In 2007, MTO audited all ministry-approved beginner driver education schools in Ontario and removed 22 schools from its approved list because they were not up to standard (see list below). Other enhancements include:

<< - Regulation of all BDE schools
- Instructors must work for an MTO-licensed school to teach new (G1) drivers (it is illegal for unlicensed schools to teach new drivers)
- High school BDE programs, which were not previously regulated by MTO, will be subject to licensing and MTO audits as of September 2008
- Tougher standards to ensure better-qualified driving instructors
- New driving instructors can no longer be licensed if they have
a single demerit point or a Criminal Code conviction.

The Ontario government encourages parents and novice drivers to get more information before they select a beginner driving school by:

- Choosing only approved driving schools. Schools that offer ministry-approved beginner driver education courses are listed at http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/gradu/approve.htm
- Checking the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services' Consumer Beware List for references to beginner driving schools at
http://www.consumerbeware.mgs.gov.on.ca/catsct/start.do, and registering any problems with a driving school at that site
- Asking friends or co-workers about their experiences with driving schools
- Asking to meet with the classroom and the behind-the-wheel training instructors before you make any payments.
>>

In the New Year, the province will release new BDE curriculum standards. The province will also review the "time discount" - allowing a G1 driver
to graduate to G2 after eight months, rather than a year, if the driver takes a recognized BDE course. One option would be to follow British Columbia and shift the time discount earned by successfully completing an approved BDE course to the stage where a G2 driver graduates to the full G license,
switching to benefit to somewhat older and more experienced drivers. As of November 1, 2007, there were 472 ministry-approved BDE course
providers in Ontario, and more than 200 high schools delivering a ministry-approved curriculum. More than 100,000 students graduate from a
ministry-approved course each year. Since June 2000, more than 700,000 students have graduated from ministry-approved courses.
"The McGuinty government is delivering on its commitment to improve the quality and consistency of driver education across the province," said
Bradley. "Getting beginner drivers off to a good start will make our roads safer for all."
Driving schools removed from MTO's approved list:

<<
A Plus Driving School Hamilton
Acts Driving School Ottawa
All Save Driving School Toronto
Amigo Driving School Toronto
Assyrian Driving School Toronto
Best Way Driver Education North York
C G Driving School Toronto
Chief Driver Education Bolton
Dalal Driving School Mississauga
Diamond Driving School Hamilton
Downtown Driving School Toronto
Driving Safety League Ancaster
E & V Driving School Scarborough
Hilltop Driving School Orangeville
Key Driving School Etobicoke
Mar-Pol Driving School Etobicoke
Mr. Learn to Drive Cambridge
Ontario Driver Education Dundas
Safe Driving School Kingston
Standard Driving School Toronto
The District of Grand Driving School Geraldton
Yellow Bird Driver's Training Centre North York

For further information: Media Contacts: David Oved, Minister's Office,
(416) 327-2885; Bob Nichols, Communications Branch, (416) 327-1158; Public
Inquiries: (416) 235-4686 (GTA), 1-800-268-4686 toll free, 1-866-471-8929 TTY