Train me to tootle Toronto's trunkroads
July 7, 2010 11:06 AM Subscribe
Please give me a driving school recommendation in Toronto.
I have successfully nearly passed* three driving tests in London, England. Now that I live in midtown Toronto, I'd like to give it another shot.
According to my research, I have two options. I can either drop over a grand and a half on an intensive course, involving weekend classes, a branded logbook and cognitive training video games, or a couple hundred dollars on a guy whose dog left a present in his car and no don't worry it's ok his girlfriend's here can you drop her off at Canadian Tire please thanks.
Is there a happy medium between the two? Can anybody give any personal recommendations?
I mean, I can largely drive (and I've no problem with being on the other side). I just want to be able to practice the test, do some things I wasn't taught (like deal with the GTA's mental drivers, and bay parking), to a standard that won't have my wife scrabbling to crawl out of the window whenever I switch lanes.
Thanks in advance. I have a G1 licence, and thanks to my provisional UK experience I'm eligible to take an exit test whenever.
* failed
I have successfully nearly passed* three driving tests in London, England. Now that I live in midtown Toronto, I'd like to give it another shot.
According to my research, I have two options. I can either drop over a grand and a half on an intensive course, involving weekend classes, a branded logbook and cognitive training video games, or a couple hundred dollars on a guy whose dog left a present in his car and no don't worry it's ok his girlfriend's here can you drop her off at Canadian Tire please thanks.
Is there a happy medium between the two? Can anybody give any personal recommendations?
I mean, I can largely drive (and I've no problem with being on the other side). I just want to be able to practice the test, do some things I wasn't taught (like deal with the GTA's mental drivers, and bay parking), to a standard that won't have my wife scrabbling to crawl out of the window whenever I switch lanes.
Thanks in advance. I have a G1 licence, and thanks to my provisional UK experience I'm eligible to take an exit test whenever.
* failed
Best answer: Seconding Young Drivers. Their branch to branch consistency and the quality of their training (personal and family experience) are excellent value, and they're recognized as a certified school by auto insurance companies so you'll make back the tuition in a few years of lower insurance premiums if you take their full course.
YD has several options that don't include the full classroom experience and fee, including an evaluation package to determine whether you've got the skills to pass the G2 test and a road test package that gives you a prep lesson with use of the same vehicle for the test.
posted by thatdawnperson at 2:02 PM on July 7, 2010
YD has several options that don't include the full classroom experience and fee, including an evaluation package to determine whether you've got the skills to pass the G2 test and a road test package that gives you a prep lesson with use of the same vehicle for the test.
posted by thatdawnperson at 2:02 PM on July 7, 2010
Best answer: Thirding Young Drivers. This is a case of the "big business" being the best. And as thatdawnperson said, they do have other package options, rather than the full course. However, you might want to check with your car insurance provider - they might give you a discount for completing the full course that would make it worth it.
posted by purlgurly at 2:35 PM on July 7, 2010
posted by purlgurly at 2:35 PM on July 7, 2010
And oops...I didn't read the entirety of thatdawnperson's answer - she also commented on insurance. :)
posted by purlgurly at 2:36 PM on July 7, 2010
posted by purlgurly at 2:36 PM on July 7, 2010
Honestly, from what I've heard, if you've successfully almost passed a London driving test, that should just about qualify you as a driving instructor in Canada. I've been told our driving tests are much, much simpler than the UK ones.
I don't have a specific recommendation, but just want to mention if you're primarily worried about passing the test, you may want to take your lessons near the center you intend to test at. The instructors in a given area of the city will run you through the route that the test will normally take. Port Union / Scarborough is apparently the location that's least backed up from last year's examiners strike.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:09 PM on July 7, 2010
I don't have a specific recommendation, but just want to mention if you're primarily worried about passing the test, you may want to take your lessons near the center you intend to test at. The instructors in a given area of the city will run you through the route that the test will normally take. Port Union / Scarborough is apparently the location that's least backed up from last year's examiners strike.
posted by jacquilynne at 6:09 PM on July 7, 2010
No specific recommendations for Toronto, but a quick comparison --
I am happy I am learning with YD, but I think for what you want, you will do fine with either.
I think Young Drivers has a package of in-car lessons without the lectures/e-course (but maybe you have to prove you've taken another course before?).
I am in the process of taking classes with Young Drivers, and I also took a driving course with another school several years ago. The other school had only 1 day of in-class instruction/video along with about the same number of in-car lessons.
Both in class sessions ran over similar content, and real life vs. test driving, but YD had way more examples, practice exercises, and emphasis on planning. Possibly the other course did more review of legislation stuff.
Both schools I'll get the same amount of in-car instructor time. Both of my instructors were/are great, calm, helpful. Not far enough along in in-car for YD, but the other school gave me plenty of helpful tips for passing the test. Whoever you choose, practice the standard routes the testing school gives.
I would avoid any schools where the in-car lessons have multiple students in the car at once; I've heard this is common in Ontario. I don't see the benefit for the student over the downsides (distraction and possibly less at-wheel time for the time in the car).
The only emergency maneuvers I practiced with the other driving school was emergency braking (braking fast at high speed and working with/without antilock brakes). YD will apparently have a longer session with maneuvers such as turning quickly and avoiding obstacles.
For YD, the cognitive testing and games are great at making me aware of my weaknesses (arggh). Not far enough in to see how much I'm improving yet.
Did you ask your Toronto friends for recommendations? I'm surprised by how many of my friends are learning/recently learned to drive at my age.
Hope this helps!
posted by SarahbytheSea at 7:21 PM on July 7, 2010
I am happy I am learning with YD, but I think for what you want, you will do fine with either.
I think Young Drivers has a package of in-car lessons without the lectures/e-course (but maybe you have to prove you've taken another course before?).
I am in the process of taking classes with Young Drivers, and I also took a driving course with another school several years ago. The other school had only 1 day of in-class instruction/video along with about the same number of in-car lessons.
Both in class sessions ran over similar content, and real life vs. test driving, but YD had way more examples, practice exercises, and emphasis on planning. Possibly the other course did more review of legislation stuff.
Both schools I'll get the same amount of in-car instructor time. Both of my instructors were/are great, calm, helpful. Not far enough along in in-car for YD, but the other school gave me plenty of helpful tips for passing the test. Whoever you choose, practice the standard routes the testing school gives.
I would avoid any schools where the in-car lessons have multiple students in the car at once; I've heard this is common in Ontario. I don't see the benefit for the student over the downsides (distraction and possibly less at-wheel time for the time in the car).
The only emergency maneuvers I practiced with the other driving school was emergency braking (braking fast at high speed and working with/without antilock brakes). YD will apparently have a longer session with maneuvers such as turning quickly and avoiding obstacles.
For YD, the cognitive testing and games are great at making me aware of my weaknesses (arggh). Not far enough in to see how much I'm improving yet.
Did you ask your Toronto friends for recommendations? I'm surprised by how many of my friends are learning/recently learned to drive at my age.
Hope this helps!
posted by SarahbytheSea at 7:21 PM on July 7, 2010
Best answer: Also did YD. Passed both G1 and G2 exits on my first attempts.
posted by clicking the 'Post Comment' button at 7:44 PM on July 7, 2010
posted by clicking the 'Post Comment' button at 7:44 PM on July 7, 2010
I took CAA courses, it was considerably cheaper than YD. Passed alright, many of my friends who took YD crashed withing the first year or two but it has nothing to do with the course :)
posted by captaincrouton at 3:33 PM on July 8, 2010
posted by captaincrouton at 3:33 PM on July 8, 2010
Response by poster: One year later. I went with Young Drivers, and passed first time!
posted by randomination at 11:15 AM on May 19, 2011
posted by randomination at 11:15 AM on May 19, 2011
Woo! Yay! Roadtrip for the next meetup!
posted by jacquilynne at 12:05 PM on May 19, 2011
posted by jacquilynne at 12:05 PM on May 19, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you can already drive and just want to pass the test, get a friend to take out you out for practice. You really don't need to pay for driving school to pass the test.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 12:45 PM on July 7, 2010