Common driving school mistakes and what to ask before you book
Choosing a school by price alone, skipping the licence check and not asking about the test car are common mistakes. Ask every school the same questions in writing.
Updated
Many learners make the same mistakes when they choose a driving school. You can avoid them if you ask the right questions before you pay.
Mistake 1: Choosing by price alone
A low price per lesson may hide a shorter lesson, no pickup or an extra charge for the test car. Compare what each price covers, not just the number. A listing shows a lesson price only when the school publishes one on its own site. No current listing shows a price yet. A price also does not show the lesson length, the pickup policy or the package terms. Ask every school the same questions and compare the answers.
Mistake 2: Not checking the licence or approval
Ask each school whether it holds the licence or approval that applies where you live. In Ontario, a Beginner Driver Education course is a ministry-approved course, and the government publishes a list of approved schools. Other places have their own rules. If you do not know who regulates driving instruction where you live, ask your licensing authority.
Mistake 3: Not asking about the test car
Some schools supply the car for the test day. Some do not, or they charge extra. Some help you book the test. The listing has a test booking help field, but it is blank on the current listings. Ask the school about the test car, the test booking and the cost of each before you sign up.
Mistake 4: Forgetting about transmission
Ask the school which transmission it teaches on. The listing has a transmission field for manual and automatic, but it is blank on the current listings. Ask your licensing authority whether the transmission you take your test in affects your licence.
Mistake 5: Skipping the package terms
Read the terms of any package. Ask whether it expires after a set time. Ask whether unused lessons are refunded. Ask what happens if you need more lessons than the package covers. Ask what happens if you want to switch schools before the package ends.
Questions to ask before you book
Use this list when you call or visit a school.
- Are you licensed or approved to teach driving where I live?
- How long is one lesson, and what is the price?
- What does the package cover, and when does it end?
- Which vehicle and transmission will I learn in?
- Do you help with test booking? Do you supply the car for the test?
- What languages do your instructors teach in?
- What happens if I want to change instructor or cancel the package?
Keep the written answers and compare them across schools. If a school will not answer in writing, consider another school.
This site is a directory. It is not a licensing authority or a legal advisor. For the rules that apply to you, ask a qualified driving instructor or your local licensing authority.