Beginner Driver Education (BDE) Curriculum Standards

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How will the curriculum change?

A1: New standards include a more intensive driver education program with a focus on skills and behaviours to reduce collision risk for novice drivers. This includes speed control, hazard detection, distracted driving, risk assessment and decision making.

Q2: Why are curriculum standards changing now?

A2. We recognize that today's novice drivers face challenges unique to today's driving environment. The new standards are part of our plan to improve the quality of Beginner Driver Education.

Effective September 2007, all driving schools offering Beginner Driver Education have been regulated to ensure compliance with provincial standards. High Schools will be required to meet all regulatory requirements as of September 1, 2008.

The improved curriculum standards are the next phase of improvements to the Beginner Driver Education program. These standards have been designed to reflect the realities and complexities of today's driving environment by expanding and updating the ministry's requirements.

Q3: Will all ministry-approved driving schools offer the same course?

A3: A driving school may develop its own course, but it must meet established minimum curriculum standards and be approved by the ministry. Courses may vary for a number of reasons, such as specific geographical needs or to address individual student learning needs.

Q4: When will the new curriculum standards take effect?

A4: The new BDE curriculum standards come into effect on April 17, 2008. However, course providers will have 12 months to comply with the new curriculum standards and must be compliant by April 17, 2009.

Any new programs approved after April 17, 2008 will have to meet these standards. During the 12-month transitional period, course providers may continue to use their existing ministry-approved course curriculum.

Q5: How will the new curriculum standards affect the driving school industry?

A5: Minimum curriculum standards must be met by every course provider in Ontario, which should provide a level playing field for all course providers, although some may choose to go beyond the standards.

Q6: Will the new curriculum standards provide more in-vehicle instruction time?

A6: The new curriculum standards now include 10 hours of 'flexible' instruction time that allow instructors to respond to individual student learning needs and could include additional in-vehicle instruction time.

Q7: Will it cost more to take a ministry-approved Beginner Driver Education course now?

A7: The ministry does not regulate the costs for Beginner Driver Education courses. All ministry-approved driving schools are listed on the Ministry of Transportation's website, a valuable resource that novice drivers and parents can use when choosing both a driving school and Beginner Driver Education course.

Schools that have lost their approved status, or are listed on the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services' Buyer Beware list are also displayed on the site.

Q8: Will all driving instructors be qualified to teach the new Beginner Driver Education curriculum standards?

A8: The new curriculum standards were introduced on April 17, 2008. Any new programs approved after April 17, 2008, will have to meet these standards. During the 12-month transitional period, course providers may continue to use their existing ministry-approved course curriculum.

Driving instructors who wish to upgrade their skills will be provided with opportunities to do so. It is anticipated that most driving instructors already meet the minimum requirements to teach using the new curriculum standards.

Q9: Are high school Beginner Driver Education programs subject to the new curriculum standards?

A9: By September 2008 high school Beginner Driver Education programs will be subject to the first phase of Beginner Driver Education improvements — licensing and MTO audits.

The ministry will provide a one-year transition period to September 2009 for high school Beginner Driver Education programs to comply with the new curriculum standards.

Q10: How will you monitor compliance?

A10. Through its audit program — which includes the use of undercover shoppers — Ontario continuously monitors all driving schools that teach Beginner Driver Education courses to make sure their programs are consistent with the ministry's curriculum standards and that consistent and quality training is being delivered by qualified instructors.

Driving schools that fail to meet Ontario's standards will lose their teaching privileges.

Q11. Who did you consult with to develop the standards?

A11. We partnered with the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) — a widely recognized, independent standards development organization to develop our new standards. The CSA used an effective stakeholder engagement process, incorporating the feedback of key stakeholders with diverse perspectives, including expert researchers in road user safety, curriculum developers, and BDE course providers. Stakeholders were involved early and consistently throughout the process and included organizations such as Young Drivers of Canada, the Road Safety Educators' Association, the Ontario Safety League and many driving schools.

Q12. Why will it take so long (12 months) before schools must comply with the new standards?

A12. The 12-month transition period will allow BDE course providers sufficient time to develop and submit their revised curriculum for ministry-approval while they continue to deliver BDE courses. This transition period is based on the minimum time required to develop this type of curriculum.