To become a driving instructor in Ontario is a good way to turn your passion into a job, as when people decide to get behind the wheel, safety is invaluable. Thus, with the given process, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation (MTO) guarantees all instructors are qualified enough. In this piece, we will explain to you in detail how you can become a driving instructor in Ontario.
1. Meet the Basic Requirements
Therefore, unless one has met the lowest requirements of the MTO and is ready to start on the path to becoming a driving instructor in Ontario, it is advisable to read on. These include:
- Age Requirement: Candidate must be at least 22 years of age.
- Driver’s License: Currently, you have to possess a full Ontario Class G driver’s license for at least 4 years, and you cannot have demerit points exceeding 6.
- Clean Driving History: You must not have had any suspension of license for the past five years before applying for this car rental service.
- Vision and Medical Test: The test will involve an eyesight test and presenting a medical report that shows you are fit for the road.
2. Cleaning of Criminal Record Check
Education as well as a clean criminal background is competent when teaching new drivers because many of these are juveniles. The criminal background check has to be completed within the last 90 days from your application. There could be general disqualification from being an instructor if you have any criminal records associated with driving.
3. Carry Out an MTO Approved Driving Instructor Course
The next step is to get into an MTO-approved driving instructor course. Currently, there are more than thirty types of approved providers within Ontario, which include private career colleges. These courses typically last between 14-16 weeks and cover various important aspects such as:
- Rules of the Road: Acquiring the legal requirements as a driver of the road networks in Ontario.
- Lesson Planning: Knowing the areas that should be covered when starting the driving lessons.
- Teaching Methods: Gaining a set of skills required to both teach driving and develop a trainee driver.
- In-Car Assessments: Theistic mentoring practical in-car training sessions with qualified assessors.
The price of these courses varies from $1,500 to $4,000, considering the intensity of the course and the organization that provides it.
4. The Ontario Teacher Exams Must Be Passed
Once you have completed the instructor course, you must pass two critical exams: comprising of a paper-based test and a driving practical assessment.
- Written Test: The MTO exam is completed out of 110 multiple-choice questions and includes topics in laws applicable to driving, training, and road safety. To pass the test, you need to achieve at least 80 points out of 100.
- Road Test: The road test also assesses your capacity to teach learners how to drive. The examiner will accompany you and give a 40-50 minute in-car teaching capability check, out of which the examiner will check your overall driving, observation, risk evaluation, and ability to teach.
5. How to Begin with the Process of Getting Your Class G Driving Instructor License
Once you have completed the written and road tests, it is time to get your actual Class G driving instructor license. You will need to:
- Include your course transcripts/report cards and exam scores.
- Provide your medical report.
- Note the fee for filing a license application is roughly $113.
- Take your instructor ID card photo again.
It usually will last approximately 10-14 days to process the application for an instructor license.
6. Additional Training to Increase Your Expertise
In order to become a successful driving instructor in Ontario, here we have offered some tips to go for further driver training qualifications. Some specialized courses include:
- Air Brake (Z Endorsement): Find out how to teach drivers to operate commercial vehicles with air brakes.
- Motorcycle Instructor (M2/M License): Train new motorcycle riders.
- Commercial Vehicle Instructor (C/A License): Obtain a license to teach truck and bus drivers.
Such certifications can expand your career prospects and increase the number of consumers who approach you.
7. Develop Business and Marketing Capabilities
If your ambition is to be a practicing driving instructor or even establish your own business as a driving school, then one needs to be very business and market savvy. It becomes pertinent to enroll in some undergraduate courses in small business management, accounting, or even digital marketing. All these skills will assist in managing the business well and consequently get more students.
8. Instructor Refresher Courses – Get Up to Date
Once you are trained and certified as a driving instructor, it is mandatory for you to stay in touch with the current traffic laws, safety precautions, and driving instructions. The MTO has provided that instructors can only teach if they attend refresher courses annually. These courses normally attract a fee of between $250 and $500 annually, depending on the offering organization.
Conclusion
To become a driving instructor in Ontario, one needs to meet certain specifications, attend and pass a certified instructor’s course, and pass relevant tests. By getting extra credentials and business experience, you can make a fulfilling profession teaching new drivers how to drive safely in Ontario. To keep your license valid and provide the students with the best guidance, it is mandatory that you update yourself with all the standard requirements of the industry through refresher courses annually.
