BEGINNER DRIVER EDUCATION – MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE FOR YOUR CHILD

We all want our children to have the best driver training possible. The Ministry of Transportation approves Beginner Driver Education (BDE) schools that meet their requirements regarding in-class and in-vehicle training, general administration and advertising. The best way to ensure you make the right choice for your child is to select an MTO approved BDE school.

THE BENEFITS OF AN MTO APPROVED BDE SCHOOL

1. The school has met the standards set out by the MTO. New course curriculum standards were announced on April 17th, 2008.
2. Your insurance company may offer a discounted rate – insurance companies that do offer a discount ONLY offer it for MTO approved schools
3. The time the driver is required to stay at a G1 level of license is reduced from 1 year to 8 months.

The MTO’s web site provides a list of all approved BDE schools in Ontario:

http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/driver/gradu/approve.shtml

DRIVER TRAINING CERTIFICATES

Driver training certificates are the traditional proof for the student’s own records and for an insurance company that they completed a BDE course. The format of the certificates has changed several times over the last 5 to 10 years. It used to be that the schools issued their own certificates. That changed a few years ago to standard MTO certificates. Students enrolled in a BDE program on or after September 29th, 2008 will not receive a certificate at all. They will be enrolled in the online certificate process where the BDE course completion will be recorded on the student’s driving record. Student’s who require proof of course completion will be required to obtain a copy of their Driver License History from the MTO. This involves the completion of an application form (including the student’s signature) and payment of a small fee that are mailed to the MTO offices. The Driver’s License History is NOT the same as a Statement of Driving Record (also known as a driver’s abstract or MVR) and can not be obtained on-line.

Full details of the on line registration program and instructions on obtaining a Driver License History can be found on the MTO web site at: