Ontario now regulating driving schools, driving instructors

Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is now regulating driving schools and instructors, a move supported by the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).

As of Sept. 1, the Ontario government has been regulating schools offering beginner driver education, an MTO release says.

A new curriculum standard will be implemented by the end of this year. It includes “leading edge practices and training techniques that will also focus on eliminating reckless driving and speeding,” the statement says.

The government will also introduce higher standards for driving instructors. Beginning Dec. 1, individuals applying for a driving instructor licence must have zero demerit points and instructors who accumulate more than three demerit points will lose their teaching licence, the release explains.

“As a key stakeholder in Ontario’s beginner driver education system, insurers are pleased with the administrative improvements announced today,” Mark Yakabuski, vice president, Federal Affairs and Ontario and incoming president of IBC, said in a statement. We look forward to working with the ministry and other interested road safety partners in making this new system work.”