Ministry of Transportation / Ministère des Transports
| Drivers & Vehicles | Highways | Road Safety | Trucks & Buses | Travel | Publications |
Home
Home > Driver and Vehicles > Driver Licensing > Driver Training Courses > Ministry-Approved > What's New?
Text size Enlarge Text Shrink Text
Search Search  |  

Drivers and Vehicles

Beginner Driver Education in Ontario - What's New?

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is committed to enhancing road safety initiatives for both new drivers and other road users by ensuring that a high- quality ministry-approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) program is delivered throughout Ontario.

New: October 3, 2008

Beginner Driver Education now introduces a web-based online system, the Driver Education (DE) system to its licensed Course Providers. The DE system is administered by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

The Ontario Ministry of Transportation is implementing a multi-faceted renewal strategy for the Driver Education (DE) program. This renewal strategy seeks to:

  • develop a clear legislative and policy authority for effective program oversight;
  • formalize the ministry's role as the program administrator;
  • introduce a new course completion verification document; and
  • implement a new comprehensive audit program and improve curriculum standards

The DE system will consist of three major components:

  • The registration, licencing and auditing of Ministry-approved driving schools
  • The licencing and auditing of Driving Instructors (DI)
  • Ensure tighter controls over the student certification process

The DE system will be phased in to enable a smoother transition.

Students enrolling in a BDE program on or after September 29, 2008 will be issued a BDE electronic certificate, upon successful completion of a BDE course. Connect to the Student Information webpage.

New: April 16, 2008

Beginner Driver Education Curriculum Standards

The new regulations provide for stricter operating standards for driving schools and high schools, as well as higher standards for driving instructor eligibility. This will improve public confidence in the driving school industry and will ensure that consistent standards for the BDE program are applied throughout Ontario.

New regulations (Regulation 473/07) for Beginner Driver Course Providers come into effect September 1, 2007. Starting December 1, 2007, higher standards and eligibility requirements for driving instructors will help assure student drivers that they are getting top qualified instructors, quality training and greater accountability.

Beginner Driver Education Improvements

The new regulation is a part of a series of improvements: The ministry has improved the BDE program by introducing stronger standards for driving schools and driving instructors.  Regulating all BDE schools ensures that only ministry-approved schools will be able to teach BDE to new drivers in Ontario. The development of BDE curriculum standards is being facilitated by the Canadian Standards Association.  CSA is a third party, neutral organization with extensive experience in the standards development process. The ministry will be introducing technological, administrative and audit capabilities.

Other Information

News Release

August 31, 2007: McGuinty Government Raises The Bar For Driver Training