I would like to clear up a couple of things that you may have heard about Thedrivingschool.ca:
(usually from other schools)
"YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"
Well, that is usually true. However, in this case you benefit because I am able to keep my overhead costs low. Why are schools charging more? I can only speculate, but feel free to ask them.
"THEY DON'T HAVE FULL-TIME OFFICE STAFF AND THEY RUN THEIR BUSINESS FROM A CELL PHONE"
Correct: This is a family-run business. With a little help from my wife, I take care of almost all phone calls, paperwork etc. This helps me to offer a more affordable course. Having the cell phone allows me to accept calls 7 days a week and often from early until late into the day! Try me right now: 629-7867. If I don't answer, chances are I am teaching in the car.
"THEY HAVE STUDENTS DRIVE OTHER STUDENTS HOME"
That is correct. There are a couple of reasons why we do this. The main reason is that it is important for students to know how it feels having someone else in the back seat while they are driving. It's funny how students act and drive differently when they have a "peer" in the back seat. Also, by sitting in the back seat, students can see how far they have progressed or where they need to be at with their skills. This is helpful for new drivers. This practice also allows us to cut down on time in between lessons, allowing us to offer a better price. Ask any of the other schools if they pull students out of their school to perform in-car lessons.
"GERRY IS MEAN AND SCREAMS AT YOU AND MAKES YOU CRY IN THE CAR"
Well that I can say is not true (and I have a good laugh when I hear this). What I can tell you, though, is that I don't take "bologna" from kids! The key to turning a new driver into a safe driver is PRACTICE AT HOME! This is why we invite parents to join us for the 2nd in-car lesson. This allows parents/co-drivers to see what needs to be done between lessons, and gives them a chance to ask questions. We also have in-car cameras and the student is welcome to bring an SD card to record and view the lesson at home (how many other local driving school can offer this to you?) If you are not practicing and expect this to be a "walk in the park", you are in for a surprise. This is driving we are talking about here, not a history quiz. I am extremely good at finding all the "problems areas" with any students and we work on those things together. I don't sugar coat anything. I sleep very well at night knowing that I do not award certificates to students who have not truly earned them! One more thing, students need to pass an in-car evaluation on the last in-car lesson. It's tough to pass if you don't practice much. It's simple, practice, ask questions, practice some more - you will pass.
"YOU GET A BETTER INSURANCE SAVING BY GOING TO A "BIGGER" SCHOOL"
The certificate you get from ANY MTO approved school is the same regardless of the school.
THE SECRET BEHIND OUR SUCCESS:
Our hope is that providing you with lots of information will help you to make the right decision. Keep in mind that it is important for parents to educate themselves about driving school and graduated licensing in order to support their new drivers. When parents turned 16 (prior to 1994), there was no such thing as graduated licensing and young people were able to achieve your full license the very next day - scary! Things have definitely changed! One big misconception as I see it is that parents believe that they will send their child to a driving school, and everything will be taken care of. Yes, driving school plays a big part, but support from parents and practice in between lessons is crucial to your teen becoming a competent driver who grasps the responsibility of what it means to have the privilege to drive. I do hear this too often!: "my friend went to another driving school cause they new you were harder and the other school was easier". What is wrong with that statement?
I will not teach your child the road test route - I will teach them how to drive with skill and confidence - this I can achieve as long as they do their part. Their part involves taking driving seriously and practicing in between lessons. Our road test pass rate with the drive test centre is 99%.
I encourage you to talk to your friends and colleagues - ask those who have been through this process. Gathering information from those who have been there and done that will help you to choose the right school.
I look forward to hearing from you!
(usually from other schools)
"YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR"
Well, that is usually true. However, in this case you benefit because I am able to keep my overhead costs low. Why are schools charging more? I can only speculate, but feel free to ask them.
"THEY DON'T HAVE FULL-TIME OFFICE STAFF AND THEY RUN THEIR BUSINESS FROM A CELL PHONE"
Correct: This is a family-run business. With a little help from my wife, I take care of almost all phone calls, paperwork etc. This helps me to offer a more affordable course. Having the cell phone allows me to accept calls 7 days a week and often from early until late into the day! Try me right now: 629-7867. If I don't answer, chances are I am teaching in the car.
"THEY HAVE STUDENTS DRIVE OTHER STUDENTS HOME"
That is correct. There are a couple of reasons why we do this. The main reason is that it is important for students to know how it feels having someone else in the back seat while they are driving. It's funny how students act and drive differently when they have a "peer" in the back seat. Also, by sitting in the back seat, students can see how far they have progressed or where they need to be at with their skills. This is helpful for new drivers. This practice also allows us to cut down on time in between lessons, allowing us to offer a better price. Ask any of the other schools if they pull students out of their school to perform in-car lessons.
"GERRY IS MEAN AND SCREAMS AT YOU AND MAKES YOU CRY IN THE CAR"
Well that I can say is not true (and I have a good laugh when I hear this). What I can tell you, though, is that I don't take "bologna" from kids! The key to turning a new driver into a safe driver is PRACTICE AT HOME! This is why we invite parents to join us for the 2nd in-car lesson. This allows parents/co-drivers to see what needs to be done between lessons, and gives them a chance to ask questions. We also have in-car cameras and the student is welcome to bring an SD card to record and view the lesson at home (how many other local driving school can offer this to you?) If you are not practicing and expect this to be a "walk in the park", you are in for a surprise. This is driving we are talking about here, not a history quiz. I am extremely good at finding all the "problems areas" with any students and we work on those things together. I don't sugar coat anything. I sleep very well at night knowing that I do not award certificates to students who have not truly earned them! One more thing, students need to pass an in-car evaluation on the last in-car lesson. It's tough to pass if you don't practice much. It's simple, practice, ask questions, practice some more - you will pass.
"YOU GET A BETTER INSURANCE SAVING BY GOING TO A "BIGGER" SCHOOL"
The certificate you get from ANY MTO approved school is the same regardless of the school.
THE SECRET BEHIND OUR SUCCESS:
Our hope is that providing you with lots of information will help you to make the right decision. Keep in mind that it is important for parents to educate themselves about driving school and graduated licensing in order to support their new drivers. When parents turned 16 (prior to 1994), there was no such thing as graduated licensing and young people were able to achieve your full license the very next day - scary! Things have definitely changed! One big misconception as I see it is that parents believe that they will send their child to a driving school, and everything will be taken care of. Yes, driving school plays a big part, but support from parents and practice in between lessons is crucial to your teen becoming a competent driver who grasps the responsibility of what it means to have the privilege to drive. I do hear this too often!: "my friend went to another driving school cause they new you were harder and the other school was easier". What is wrong with that statement?
I will not teach your child the road test route - I will teach them how to drive with skill and confidence - this I can achieve as long as they do their part. Their part involves taking driving seriously and practicing in between lessons. Our road test pass rate with the drive test centre is 99%.
I encourage you to talk to your friends and colleagues - ask those who have been through this process. Gathering information from those who have been there and done that will help you to choose the right school.
I look forward to hearing from you!