The Ministry of Transportation Ontario requires that each Ontario driving school provide a mandatory 20 hours of in-class training, 10 hours of Homelink, and 10 hours of in-car lessons for a total of 40 hours for a student to receive a certificate from the program.
Below you will find a complete breakdown of the structure of our Greater Toronto Area driving school course and the subjects or topics we’ll cover to get you prepared. This will give you a better idea of what you can expect when you enroll in All State Driving School and the extensive, comprehensive knowledge you will come away with that will better shape your future.
In-Class Day 1
The Laws, Regulations, and Rules of Driving
On your first day of in-class training, we’ll go over the basic rules of the road and the traffic laws every Ontario driver must follow. We also provide comprehensive knowledge on why these regulations are in place and why it’s important to follow them for everyone’s safety. Here’s what we cover on day one:
The Importance of Our Traffic Laws and Regulations
- Road safety issues in Ontario
- The importance of seatbelts
- Mirrors and blind spots
- Child safety
- Dangers and consequences of speeding
- Dangers and consequences of impaired and distracted driving
- Rules for emergency vehicles
- How car insurance works
Traffic Laws and License Rules
- The Ontario licensing system – types of licenses and how the graduated licensing system works
- The process of obtaining, keeping, and maintaining your driver’s license
- How Ontario’s demerit points system works
- Emission testing
Levels of Traffic Laws in Ontario
- Federal traffic laws
- Provincial traffic laws
- Municipal traffic laws
Road Control Devices
- Road signs
- Turn signals and road signals
- Road and pavement marking
In-Class Day 2
Getting to Know Your Vehicle
A vehicle is a machine that requires knowledge and proper handling at all times. Just like they would if they were operating any other machine, students must understand how their vehicle works and how to ensure it’s being controlled and maintained properly. On day two, this is what we’ll cover:
The Basics of Your Vehicle
- Steering and controlling devices
- Reading warning symbols
- Vehicle safety and security devices
- Anti-theft devices
- Visibility devices such as mirrors and blind spots
- Safe use of communication devices
- Comfort devices
Vehicle Safety Checks
- External inspection
- Internal inspection
The Elements of Safe Driving
- Visual tracking and spacing with the
- Smith System
- Steering
- Proper seating and positioning
- Accelerating, braking, and proper position in a lane
- Controlling your speed
- Parking in various positions (uphill, downhill, parallel parking, etc.)
- Backing out of a parking spot
- Turn signals, merging, and changing lanes
- Giving the right of way
- Left and right turns
- Driving on highways and freeways
Traction and Friction
- Speed management and time
- Proper distance for following
- Stopping distances
- Friction
Avoiding Accidents and Collisions
- Recognizing critical situations (and how to react)
- What to do when wheeling off the road
- Avoiding head-on accidents
- Avoiding rear-end collisions
- Braking
Skidding
- How the ABS system works and how to properly use it
Driver Behaviour and Attitude
- Risk perception and avoidance
- Dealing with emotions and preventing them from interfering with decision making
- Values and beliefs for positive driving
- Avoiding social risk factors such as peer pressure and advertising
- Keeping a positive attitude
- Driving as a privilege, not a right
- Cooperative driving
In-Class Day 3
Respect and Responsibility While on the Road
Respect and responsibility are two major components that all drivers need to understand, whether it’s keeping respect for other drivers on the road or taking responsibility when emergency situations happen. On day three of our driving school course, students will learn the following concepts:
Dealing With Emergency Situations
- What to do if you get in an accident
- Arriving at the scene of the accident
- Dealing with the police
- Emergency vehicle procedures
- How to handle vehicle malfunction (brake failure, tire blowout, etc.)
Taking Proper Safety Measures
- Responsibility
- Using seat belts
- Using child restraints
Avoiding Conflict
- Dealing with and avoiding road rage
- Respecting other drivers
Environmental Responsibility of Driving
- Promoting fuel efficiency (idling, new technologies, etc.)
- Regular vehicle maintenance such as oil changes and tune-ups
- Emission testing
Lifelong Driving Knowledge
- Being a safe driver for life
- How aging impacts driving
- Changing and adapting driving skills
- Changes to laws and regulations
Cooperative Driving and Sharing the Road
- Acknowledging how to share the road with others who aren’t driving cars and have specific needs, including:
- Transport trucks
- Cyclists
- Motorcyclists
- Pedestrians
- Emergency vehicles
- School buses
- Public transit
Communicating With Other Drivers and Road Users
- Using turn signals properly
- Proper use of headlights
- Hand signals
- Using the horn
In-Class Day 4
Staying Aware, Attentive, and Alert
Paying attention to the road is a key component in driving safely. Taking your eyes off the road even for a split second could be enough to cause an accident or put yourself in a dangerous situation. We teach our driving students how to ensure they stay attentive and alert at all times. Day four includes the following curriculum:
The Dangers of Impaired Driving
- Types of impairment, including alcohol and drugs, fatigue, drowsy driving, and medical conditions
- Impaired judgement
- The physical and legal consequences of impaired driving
Distracted Driving
- Common distractions inside the vehicle
- External distractions
Observation
- Using 360 vision
- Scanning your surroundings
- Using peripheral vision
- Blind spots
- Active attention
- Shoulder and mirror checks
Scanning For Hazards
- How to distinguish hazards both internally and externally
Understanding Personal Limits
- Different types of drivers
- Personal limitations on driving
Dangerous Driving Practices
- Street racing
- Dangerous driving habits
- Aggressive driving
Risk Tolerance and Perception
- Driver confidence
- Reaction time
- Being proactive vs. reactive
- Factors that impact perception, including age, environment, experience, confidence, and emotion
Common Causes of Accidents
- Collision factors
- Types of accidents
- Prevention
Understanding Driving Hazards
- Types of driving hazards
- Common factors
- Prevention
In-Car Lessons 1-10
Each in-car lesson is one on one and completely devoted to the driver. We will come and pick you up as well as drop you off at your preferred location so it stays within your busy schedule.
Here is a quick breakdown of what we cover during each in-car lesson, and the steps we take to make sure each driver is adequately trained and prepared to drive on their own.
Lesson 1
Orientation and learning how the car works.
Lesson 2
Basic maneuvering.
Lesson 3
Parking.
Lesson 4
Driving in high traffic areas.
Lesson 5
City driving.
Lesson 6
Review of the lessons so far, with additional practice.
Lesson 7
Driving on high-speed roads.
Lesson 8
Highway driving.
Lesson 9
Night-time driving.
Lesson 10
Road test evaluation to determine you’re ready.
