Ultimate Drivers share few guidelines which make a learner, a safe and expert driver. Contact us today to join our driver education programs.
The Ministry of Transportation in Ontario first introduced graduated licensing in 1994. The main purpose of this system was to lower accident rates amongst new drivers, lower insurance costs, and improve driver education through a series of road tests. The two-step licensing road test system is straightforward and new drivers can follow these steps:
The first thing that teens need to do before they take their G1 road test is buy a Drivers handbook.
Yes you can. There are two parts of the program-classroom and In-car driver education. For the classroom part you do not require a G1. Once you complete your classroom training then you can go and get your G1and practice for your G2 road test
If you fail your G1 drivers test you can go back in three days and re-write it. Fees may vary by location. For example, the fee in Brampton may be different from the fee in Burlington.
The soonest you can go to get your G2 is after one year from the day you get your G1 license unless you complete an Approved Beginner Driver Education Program consisting of 25 hours in the classroom and 10 hour of minimum in car instructions on the road. If this has been completed, then you can go for your first road test to get your G2 in 8 months.
Once you join the program you are at liberty of completing it anytime before your G1 exit road test
If you have moved to Ontario from any country other than Japan and United States and you have more than two years of driving experience then upon showing your license form your country of origin your waiting time after G1 and/or G2 road test is waived.
You also have the privilege to directly attempt to do your G2 exit road test to obtain you Ontario G class license (only one direct attempt is permitted).
In case you are unsuccessful in passing you G2 exit road test, then you have to pass G1 exit and G2 exit to get you regular Ontario G class license.
If you have moved from any province in Canada and you have had your license for less than two years it will be converted into Ontario G2 class license. This means upon passing a G2 exit road test you can have Ontario G class license.
Very little attention is paid to correct overtaking other cars while we learn to drive. Driving instructors will tell you that incorrect overtaking is one of the major causes of fatal collisions in Canada. Every day we see drivers trying to pass with fewer gaps between vehicles, breaking speed limit, and not checking around before passing.
Driving instructors will suggest you consider these questions before passing another car on the road: Is it really necessary?
Driving instructors will tell you that it is not a good idea to pass if you are nearing your destination. A few minutes here and there can sometimes make a difference between life and death. Always remember it is important to save life than time.
It is not legal to pass:
Driving instructors will tell you to ask yourself:
There are a number of things that driving instructors will tell you to look for before you pass another car:
Check ahead for a safe passing gap
Keep an eye on oncoming traffic
Be prepared to drop back if the driver you are preparing to pass moves uncertainly or speeds up.
Be prepared to drop back if you suddenly find your intended path blocked. If this occurs, driving instructors will tell you to signal a return to the right lane. Pull into the right lane when you can see the entire front-end of the vehicle you passed in the rear-view mirror. Cancel your signal. Check the position of the passed car in your rear-view mirror. Make sure you are at a safe distance ahead of the car you have passed before you ease up.
Driving can be a very stressful activity especially of the weather is bad. Weather plays a big part in our everyday driving whether you live in Toronto, Georgetown, Bolton, Oakville or Cambridge.
An effective driving course will teach an experienced and responsible driver to be constantly aware of the weather conditions around them and take precautions accordingly:
Rain : driving at high speeds when the road is wet will cause the vehicle to skid. The first few drops make the road conditions worst as all the dust and oil mixes with water making road surface very slippery.
An effective driving course will teach you not to brake hard and start you accelerate gently and slowly. Be extra cautious while making turns and changing lanes. Avoid driving near curves where there is excess water as the car may hydroplane and you may lose control easily at high speed.
Hydroplaning : occurs when the tread of the tires is not coping with the volume of water. Even a good tire may have trouble coping, let alone a bald one. When the car is hydroplaning, the driver loses steering and the car feels like it is floating. A good driving course will tell you to come off the accelerator immediately, and not brake. The tires should make contact again with the road; otherwise a little braking may be in order.
Strong winds : can be blinding. Driving courses will tell you to wear sunglasses and protect your vision by folding down the sun visor. Don’t look directly into sun and keep your windshield clean. Ice: Drive slowly and accelerate gently. People have known to get killed at 20km/hr on icy roadway. Top quality driving courses will suggest that if the weather is too bad avoid driving.
If you cannot, make sure that you drive slowly and cautiously and don’t follow another vehicle too closely. Carry enough windshield washer fluid so that you can see clearly. Be extra cautious on bridges and culverts.
You can never be too cautious. Focus on the principles of Beginner driving you were taught in your driving course when the weather is not ideal for driving.
Driving lessons teach us that our car signals are the main tool for communicating with other drivers on the road. The signals or indicators tell other drivers on the road of your intensions well ahead of time.
Signals are not just used when you are driving but are also used when parking. It is required that you indicate your intentions on time for the traffic to go smoothly. Keeping the following driving lessons in mind will help you become a better driver:
Observations new drivers should remember from their driving lessons:
Make sure that your signals are in working order at all times. Have them repaired as soon as you see a damaged signal. You are a danger to other drivers if you signals are not working properly. Keep these driving lessons in mind while making changes in direction while on the road or in parking lots.
Drivers Ed will teach new drivers about the myths and facts associated with road safety. They are as follows:
Myth 1: The car is insured; I don’t need to worry about my driving.
Fact: Insurance costs continue to rise. If you are in an accident you will pay for it.
Myth 2: Crashes only happen to speeders and seniors
Fact: The most common cause of a crash is due to bad judgment. Driving under influence is one such example. Bad drivers simply get noticed more, because they stand out by their behaviour. Take drivers Ed and learn the principles of effective driving.
Myth 3: Every new driver learns after he or she has been in a crash.
Fact: Many responsible people have driven accident-free for 20, 30 or more years by adopting healthy attitudes from Drivers Ed, which is reflected in their driving record.
Myth 4: Accidents are simple a part of driving and cannot be avoided.
Fact: Part of this statement is sadly true. However, this kind of attitude can have fatal consequences and shows lack of responsibility. Learning safe driving techniques from Drivers Ed, practicing them, and using them in everyday driving is a recipe for crash-free driving.
Myth 5: After my probationary period is over, I will have nothing to worry about.
Fact: Statistically, the first major crash happens just after coming off the probationary license, at age 18 or so. A healthy attitude and realistic approach towards your driving can help you be accident free for the rest of your life.
Myth 6: Driving is nothing but common sense.
Fact: There is nothing wrong with applying common sense in every area of life. But when you are in an emergency there is not much time to choose the right course of action after considering all options. Certain road safety principles from Drivers Ed must be studied.
Myth 7: The more severe the punishment, the safer the roads will be
Fact: Part of this is true and that is the reason we have more responsible drivers on the road. There will always be lawbreakers amongst us, no matter how harsh the punishment. Often bad drivers are caught and are found guilty but with heavier fines repeat offenders should be given psychological help and be taken off the roads if there is no improvement. The penalty should be decided according to how severe the crime is.
Myth 8: Getting bicycles and big trucks will make our roads safer and put drivers at ease.
Fact: Drivers Ed teaches us that we already have certain roads where no trucks are allowed and marked pavements where bicyclists can ride. Tolerance towards other (slower) road users and allowing them space is the hallmark of a low-risk driver.
Myth 9: The better roads will mean lower crash rate.
Fact: We learn in drivers Ed that the main cause of road crashes is human error, over 90 % to be more exact. It is a good idea to keep your eyes wide open while driving and be aware of your surroundings.
Myth 10: every driver should practice skid control.
Fact: Apart from the danger to drivers Ed instructors, practicing skidding would achieve little. Studies in Sweden have shown that new drivers who did get skid training had more crashes afterwards than a non-trained group.
Drivers Ed will teach new drivers about the myths and facts associated with road safety. They are as follows:
Myth 1: The car is insured; I don’t need to worry about my driving.
Fact: Insurance costs continue to rise. If you are in an accident you will pay for it.
Myth 2: Crashes only happen to speeders and seniors
Fact: The most common cause of a crash is due to bad judgment. Driving under influence is one such example. Bad drivers simply get noticed more, because they stand out by their behaviour. Take drivers Ed and learn the principles of effective driving.
Myth 3: Every new driver learns after he or she has been in a crash.
Fact: Many responsible people have driven accident-free for 20, 30 or more years by adopting healthy attitudes from Drivers Ed, which is reflected in their driving record.
Myth 4: Accidents are simple a part of driving and cannot be avoided.
Fact: Part of this statement is sadly true. However, this kind of attitude can have fatal consequences and shows lack of responsibility. Learning safe driving techniques from Drivers Ed, practicing them, and using them in everyday driving is a recipe for crash-free driving.
Myth 5: After my probationary period is over, I will have nothing to worry about.
Fact: Statistically, the first major crash happens just after coming off the probationary license, at age 18 or so. A healthy attitude and realistic approach towards your driving can help you be accident free for the rest of your life.
Myth 6: Driving is nothing but common sense.
Fact: There is nothing wrong with applying common sense in every area of life. But when you are in an emergency there is not much time to choose the right course of action after considering all options. Certain road safety principles from Drivers Ed must be studied.
Myth 7: The more severe the punishment, the safer the roads will be
Fact: Part of this is true and that is the reason we have more responsible drivers on the road. There will always be lawbreakers amongst us, no matter how harsh the punishment. Often bad drivers are caught and are found guilty but with heavier fines repeat offenders should be given psychological help and be taken off the roads if there is no improvement. The penalty should be decided according to how severe the crime is.
Myth 8: Getting bicycles and big trucks will make our roads safer and put drivers at ease.
Fact: Drivers Ed teaches us that we already have certain roads where no trucks are allowed and marked pavements where bicyclists can ride. Tolerance towards other (slower) road users and allowing them space is the hallmark of a low-risk driver.
Myth 9: The better roads will mean lower crash rate.
Fact: We learn in drivers Ed that the main cause of road crashes is human error, over 90 % to be more exact. It is a good idea to keep your eyes wide open while driving and be aware of your surroundings.
Myth 10: every driver should practice skid control.
Fact: Apart from the danger to drivers Ed instructors, practicing skidding would achieve little. Studies in Sweden have shown that new drivers who did get skid training had more crashes afterwards than a non-trained group.
At driving school we learn that most rear-end collisions account for nearly a third of all crashes. Looking away for just a second at the wrong moment and/or traveling too closely behind another vehicle is the main cause.
Unfortunately, this dangerous practice, commonly called tailgating, is widespread. Some drivers may not even realize that they are following too closely, never having learned the two-second rule if they did not attend driving school:
When the vehicle ahead of you passes a certain fixed object (tree, road sign etc.) start counting slowly: For example, one thousand and one, one thousand and two. If you can finish this (two seconds) count comfortably before passing the object, you are at a safe distance.
The magic of this formula is that it works at any speed (and not only on a freeway). At 80 km/h or 100 km/h two seconds are obviously a far greater distance than at 20km/h. Driving school teaches drivers to allow a further second or two under the following circumstances:
Tailgating drivers must focus constantly on the vehicle ahead. How do they read the road for danger further ahead? The answer is they can’t and this is why drivers are taught in driving school to remain a safe distance behind other cars.
Driving school will teach you that a couple of seconds can save your life
Sometimes a little bit of patience and a few seconds can save your life and of others. Most of us pay minimum attention to things like following distance, visibility, communication and of all speed the vehicle is moving in. It is a common sight to see drivers moving at the posted speed limit when there is a police car driving around them but as soon as the police car is gone form sight the obvious happens, drivers to back to driving over the speed limit.
We are very impatient towards drivers who follow speed limits and want them off the streets. It is true, and we learned this in driving school that like a speeding driver a slow driver is an equal hazard. There are certain rules to driving and must be followed at all times.
Changing our routine will help save time and life on the road. Go to driving school and learn the rules of the road so we can all drive safely.
Driving school will teach you that a couple of seconds can save your life
Sometimes a little bit of patience and a few seconds can save your life and of others. Most of us pay minimum attention to things like following distance, visibility, communication and of all speed the vehicle is moving in. It is a common sight to see drivers moving at the posted speed limit when there is a police car driving around them but as soon as the police car is gone form sight the obvious happens, drivers to back to driving over the speed limit.
We are very impatient towards drivers who follow speed limits and want them off the streets. It is true, and we learned this in driving school that like a speeding driver a slow driver is an equal hazard. There are certain rules to driving and must be followed at all times.
Changing our routine will help save time and life on the road. Go to driving school and learn the rules of the road so we can all drive safely.
Imagine telling someone to jump in the water without giving them a lifejacket and not knowing if the person can swim or not?
Foolish isn’t it?
Drinking and driving is even more stupid. We don’t have to take driving lessons to know that drinking and driving is a poor decision. Alcohol and drugs affect our vital functions and it becomes difficult to perform ordinary tasks. Major areas that are affected:
Driver education also teaches us that alcohol affects the brain and central nervous system which control the vital functions of our body. Not only does alcohol affect a person mentally but also our physical ability to react to situations. Alcohol effects accident preventing behaviour such as putting on your seat belt, turning on the headlights and signalling turns.
Effective driver education teaches drivers to always think before they drink:
Driver Education and Training teaches us some valuable information about drinking and driving:
The legal limit (Blood Alcohol Concentration) in Canada is .08%.Driver education teaches us that two glasses of beer in an hour can bring you to that limit. One drink every hours after that, will keep you on the brink. With a G1 or G2 license alcohol limit is zero. Drugs also can equally affect your driving. Check with your doctor and read the label on your medications. Alcohol and drugs together may form a very lethal combination. Many young people have lost their lives and many people have destroyed lives just because they did not act responsibly and in accordance with what they learned during driver training.
Always remember one night's foolishness can become whole life's misery.
Driver training teaches us that 40% of road crashes in Canada are due to one reason, SPEEDING. Running late is seldom anyone’s fault. But when we are late we try to make that time up on the road. We completely forget that we are putting our and other people at risk by compromising on safety. Very small change in life sometimes can increase safety and life.
Driving school teaches us that speed increases your risk of crashing in these different ways:
Safe driver training practices tell us to try to understand the body language of other vehicles and look around for pedestrians crossing the street. Keep a safe cushion between the cars in front of you so that just in case you have to brake you don’t rear end the vehicle. Always be aware of your surroundings.
Leave time for unexpected delays. If you have a cell phone, pull over and inform the other person of your unexpected delay if you are running late. Avoid speeding as a means to make up lost time.
If you leave home 10 minutes early, EXPECT TO ARRIVE 10 MINUTES EARLY.
In driving school changing a CD is a classic example of distracted driver. Many of us will do this everyday without thinking twice about it. Many drivers think that since they have driver training and experience, they can do no wrong.
There have been many people who have been stopped by police because they were too busy driving and shaving on their way to office, reading map book, eating lunch, talking on their cell phone and doing many other things that they were taught not to do in driving school.
Without thinking, we sometimes put our and others in danger for no reason. Simply making small changes in the everyday routine can create safe roads and make you an alert defensive driver.
There are three categories of Distraction we are taught during drivers Ed:
Unforeseen events : An insect buzzes around in the car. A spider crawls onto the dashboard. The natural reaction is to flick it. At high speed this can lead to serious disasters. Turning around to tend to children or babies, trying to wipe a fogged up windscreen, the list is endless, all must be done after stopping the vehicle. Listen to your driving instructors when they warn you about distractions.
Deliberate neglect : Eating, drinking, smoking whilst driving. Changing a CD or tape, or playing with the radio or other accessories. Fastening the seatbelt, adjusting mirrors or seats, reading the road map on the move, have caused drivers to lose control. The use of mobile phones has also become a cause of concern. We are all taught to not do these things while driving during at driving school.
Outside distractions : Sightseeing, window-shopping, watching unusual events such as an accident, looking for an address or landmark etc. all take attention away from the road ahead. Driver training teaches us to focus on the road, not outside distractions.
Many drivers are afraid of driving at night. Sometimes even on a clear night one cannot see as well as during daytime. Because light travels faster than sound often you can see headlights of a vehicle at a distance. But it is still harder to judge speed and distance at night.
By remembering a few minor things from your driving lessons you can increase your and safety of other drivers on the road.
One of the most common problems you will learn about in driving school about night time driving is Over-driving your headlights:
Over-driving is driving so fast when your stopping distance is greater than the distance your headlights allow you to see. For example, you are traveling on a dry road at 80km/h and need 60m to stop your car.
Driving school instructors teach us that driving with your low beam headlights you can only see at the distance of 45m ahead. This means that once your headlights spot something in the road 45m ahead, you won’t be able to stop without hitting that object. All driving lessons tell us that reduced speed is always a good idea at night as you can see ahead of your lights.
Visibility is one of the major problems at night and is the major reason why more driver training should be done at night. Road signs are visible because they are made of reflective coatings. This is the reason they are visible at a greater distance.
Dealing with glare from the passing motorist is another important issue. Best way to reduce glare of an oncoming vehicle is looking away in another direction.
Driver education will teach you about the four major components of freeway driving.
The usual entry is by a right hand turn, that leads to an acceleration lane, also called 'highway ramp'. Follow these driving instructions to enter safely:
Driving school will teach you that wrong entry on the freeway can give trouble to you and to traffic coming from both directions. With driver training you will learn that it is your responsibility to give way to traffic on the highway. Look for the white dotted line. Once you have crossed this line, you are on the highway! Trust your fellow motorist to create space for you. Very courteous drivers even change to their left hand lane to assist your entry.
Any good driving course will teach you that you should not drive along with the big trucks for too long and don’t tailgate a truck because if it breaks suddenly your car will literally go under the rear of the tuck.
Don't overtake other car or trucks just prior to turning off. Change to the extreme right lane as soon as you see the signs of your exit ahead.
Never reverse on a highway, even if you missed the turnoff. No driving instructor will ever suggest you do this.Driver education teaches us to never drive on the extreme left hand lane for a long time. it is called the passing lane for a reason. If you see a driver behind you who wants to pass, signal right and move out of the way and let the driver go.
Whether it is your G1, G2, or G road test , any driver is bound to get a little nervous before their driving test. However, if you went to driving school and paid attention to the driving lessons you should be more than ready for your test.
Take the following into consideration when preparing for your driving test:
Make sure you have everything in place: Your G1/G2, your certificate if required, your glasses and/or contact lenses must be with you when you go for your road test.
Be on time: Make sure you are on time for your road test. Being on time will ease your driving test nerves and you will also get a chance to look around.
Be prepared: Make sure you have all the areas of driver training covered. Don’t be afraid ask any questions.
Take an evaluation lesson: An evaluation driving lesson will determine where you stand and you will be able to approach your driving test with more confidence.
Surprise everyone: Be secretive about your road test except telling your own family. You don’t need to live up to your friends expectations.
Don’t go looking for examples: Don’t listen to other people with horror stories of road test. Be prepared and trust yourself.
Keep your eyes and ears open: Listen to the examiner and do as the examiner tells you. Don’t forget to use your common sense and the driving lessons you learned in driving school.
To err is human: Don’t set your standards too high. There are always second chances.
Taking a driving test, whether it is your G1, G2 or G will be a little stressful. However, if you took driving school and paid attention to the driver training, you will be will on your way to passing the road test.
Parents are often the ones who take their kids out to practice for their driving test. Therefore, there are certain guidelines that parents need to follow when helping their children with driver training. Driving, just like Everything we do in life frequently, becomes a habit. Our driving instructors will tell you that routines may make life dull at times, but they are necessary in learning to for their driving test.
Driving, and driving instruction for that matter is very much about habit. Driving is about consistently do the right thing at the right time when on the road. Forgetting one small task, such as putting on your seatbelt or checking your blind spot before merging, may have serious consequences.
The cab drill is a logical order to get yourself and your car ready. A driver, who fails to prepare before driving, can get distracted from driving while adjusting the mirrors or seat, something every driving instructor will tell you to do before you begin to drive.
There are 12 items in the cab drill driving instruction that are divided into four categories:
Note the word accessories. By thinking for a moment, which ones of these are on, you are not only switching off the obvious ones (indicators, windscreen wipers), but also remember the lights. If they had been turned on during a rainy day, it is less likely that you will forget and get a flat battery.
These driving instructions are taught at each of our 10 locations. If you are in the Brampton, Kitchener, Milton, Oakville area, or near any one of our other locations, please stop in and talk to Ultimate Drivers about our upcoming driving instruction courses.
Many parents send their teens to our driving school locations after they have attempted driver training or damage had been done to the family car. However, it is much wiser to start driver training with a professional instructor. Regardless if you go to our Brampton, Mississauga, or Georgetown locations, here are ten principles we promote that serve as a guide for parents when venturing out with their teen driver.
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