Driving License

To get a driver’s license in Ontario, you must be at least 16 years of age. Graduated licensing was introduced in Ontario in April 1994. In order to get your driver’s license, you must go through three stages.

In the first stage, you obtain a Driver’s Handbook, which is available at any book store, convenience store, MTO office and also at various other locations such as Canadian Tire. Then, on or after your 16th birthday and once you have studied the handbook, you can go to the DriveTest centre nearest to you and write a theoretical G1 exam. You must bring $160.00 and 2 pieces of ID with you. You will also be required to pass a vision test. Once you pass the knowledge and vision examinations, you will be given a G1 license and you will be eligible to do a practical road test one year from that date. The G1 license is essentially your learner’s permit.

Under a G1 class license, many conditions apply which are designed to help you gain experience before you can do your on-road examination. These restrictions are discussed below, and are also covered in the drivers handbook.

• Anytime you are behind the wheel, you must be accompanied by a driver who has at least 4 years of full G class driving experience.
• You are prohibited from driving between the hours of 12:00 AM and 5:00 AM (i.e. midnight to five).
• You are prohibited from driving on any highways with posted speed limits of 80 km or above, including any of the 400 series highways, unless you are accompanied by a licensed driving instructor.
• You must maintain a blood alcohol level of 0.00% at all times.
• You must not have more passengers in your car than there are working seat belts.

After getting the G1 license, you are eligible to reduce the one-year waiting period for your first road test (G1 exit test) if you attend an approved driving school such as All Star. When you complete the full Ministry Approved Beginner Driver Education Course requirements, your certification will be processed allowing you to book your road test as early as 8 months after your G1 was issued instead of waiting a full year.

Once you have passed the first road test at the end of 8 or 12 months, you are given a G2 license. There are some conditions with a G2 class license, but far fewer when compared with G1 conditions. These restrictions are discussed below and are also covered in the driver’s handbook.

• You must maintain a blood alcohol level of 0.00% at all times.
• You must not have more passengers in your car than there are working seat belts.
• If you are 19 or under, you can carry only one passenger of 19 or below between the hours of 12:00 AM and 5:00AM (midnight to five).
• If you are 20 and above or have a license for more than six months, you can carry up to three passengers of 19 or below between the hours of 12:00 AM and 5:00AM (midnight to five).

The final phase of the graduated licensing system is the freeway driving examination to obtain a full G class license. G2 class license holders are eligible for the freeway examination (G2 exit test) one year after the G2 license issue date. It is currently not possible to reduce this one year waiting period. The freeway examination must be completed within 5 years from the issue date of the G1 license, otherwise the license will expire.

Defensive Driving Theory Course Outline

The following is a brief summary of the various topics covered in the theory portion of our MTO Approved Beginner Driver Education Course:

Introduction & Basics

This section covers many common misconceptions regarding everyday traffic situations and driving in general. After completing this introductory section, students should know all pertinent information regarding acquiring a learner’s licensce, as well as the basic framework for the Smith System of Defensive Driving.
 

Road Signs, Lines and Traffic Controls

An explanation of shapes and colors of road signs along with a discussion of each particular sign and a short video presentation to familiarize students with the different sign catagories. Also discussed are the consequences of failing to obey specific road signs.
 

Safety Devices

A discussion about seat-belts, child seats, airbags and other safety features which save lives when used consistently.
 

The Smith System

The Smith System is the industry standard in defensive driver training systems. It consists of the “Five Keys to Space Cushion Driving.” This program covers improving driver perception to create safer drivers, keeping space around your vehicle (no more ‘traffic roulette’,) what good driving practices are, creating good observations habits and improving driver visibility.

Hazard Recognition, Perception and Risk Management: Students learn to identify hazards and discuss ways to manage them so that they are no longer hazards to them on the road.
 

City Driving

Discussed are merging and lane changes, right of way, uncontrolled intersections, pedestrian hazards, buses, parking, signaling, traffic congestion, traffic tempo, one-way streets and traffic patterns. Additionally, many other dangers of city driving are investigated and discussed by the students.

Driving with Fuel Efficiency: In the interests of environmental awareness, a discussion regarding methods of driving economically and areas in which students can improve their efficiency as it relates to their tires, brakes, fuel and wearable moving parts.
 

Impaired Driving

The effects of alcohol and drug impairment on a driver’s reaction time and decision-making abilities, and the responsibilities of drivers as road-users. Included is a frank, open discussion and videos about this serious topics. Also discovered are the ways that things like stress, anger and fatigue can impair driving ability.
 

Avoiding Collisions

Lecture and discussion on collision avoidance techniques and the skills necessary to avoid putting yourself into a position where you are in danger of a collision. Students learn to be pro-active in their driving and to practice the See-Think- Do methods which keep them out of trouble in the first place.
 

Driver Attitudes

Students discover how their attitudes towards driving develop through outside influences such as peer pressure, advertising, etc; and discuss ways to have a better driving attitude.
 

Adverse Driving Conditions

Extreme weather, road conditions, night driving and other situations are discussed as students learn ways to drive more safely and effectively in them. We also discuss ways to deal with emergency situations as they occur while driving.
 

Freeway and Highway Driving

Methods for safe entry and exit onto freeways and highways are discussed. The use of HOV lanes are covered in this segment.
 

Road Test

Being prepared and feeling confident for the government on-road examination. We cover all of the requirements to be successful the first time.

This is only a brief overview of a few of the life-saving concepts that we teach in our Ministry Approved Beginner Driver Education Course and Defensive Driving programs.

Emergency Maneuver Package

Here at All Star Driving School we like to ensure that our students get the best in quality during their on the road training session. To ensure their safety on the road we offer an emergency maneuver package to go along with the basic 10 hours that is offered with the standard Ministry Approved Beginner Driver Education course. We are the only school besides Young Drivers of Canada that offer this option to their students. The package includes 2 full hours of instruction that will cover the following maneuvers:
 

Gravel Shoulder Recovery

Student must learn to recover and control vehicle if it drifts onto a gravel shoulder.
 

Head On Avoidance

Same as above, yet in this maneuver the students are taught how to avoid a car passing from opposite lane into their lane. This will allow the student to prevent and avoid a head on collision
 

Rear Crash Avoidance

Student is taught how to respond correctly to a car that is about to hit them from behind. Emphasis is placed on hand over hand steering and also on being aware of their blind spots.
 

Avoidance Swerving

Student is taught to respond correctly to an object that has just fallen into their path at 40km/h. Emphasis is placed on proper steering and eyes ahead, always looking into their space on the road and where they want to go.
 

Threshold Braking/ ABS Emergency Stop

The object of the procedure is to have the student stop as soon as possible using the best braking procedure without the brakes locking up. Avoiding locking of the brakes will prevent the car from sliding and also will stop the car more quickly and efficiently.

With this maneuver student are still using the threshold braking technique, But you are now approaching the object pylons as at faster speed (60 km/h) and will not able to stop in time , therefore to avoid hitting object you must pick and escape route of the time (Left or Right ) and swerve.

Trained professional teAch all of our session. Most of the lesson will be given in a parking lot using pylons as obstacles in driver way yet, gravel shoulder recovery will be though the road ONLY when it safe to do so . The cost of the package is $200 + HST and it will cover all the basic maneuvers mentioned above.

We stress that every student consider putting extra in the extra time and money to learn these procedures because it could help them become a more safe and cautious driver. All fees for this package should be paid in advance in order to help us serve you better. Please fill the bottom portion with your name and signature; student under 18 should also have their parent / guardian sign below. If you feel like you want this emergency maneuver package check the box below.