Drivers Ed - 819$ worth it? Advice, please...

[PoRco]

So I've finally decided to learn how to drive and I'm pretty excited. I'm planning on learning how to drive manual. I looked at the drivers ed course that is near my place and the price for the course seems pretty high. I was wondering whether you guys have an opinion on this?

(I'm in Ottawa btw, - Kanata)

http://www.ottawadrivingschool.com/carcourses.shtml

So basically I have two options, take the manual transmission course that is 819$ OR my bestfriend teaches me how to drive automatic to begin with and then I take a few hours of the IN-CAR LESSONS only to learn how to drive manual. That will save me a ton of money and time too.

Another factor that is making me lean away from the in-classes is the fact that I work 45 hours a week, and the weekends are where I really want to rest it up this summer :P

Any advice whatsoever is appreciated!

Thanks :)

[chimaican]

So I've finally decided to learn how to drive and I'm pretty excited. I'm planning on learning how to drive manual. I looked at the drivers ed course that is near my place and the price for the course seems pretty high. I was wondering whether you guys have an opinion on this?

(I'm in Ottawa btw, - Kanata)

http://www.ottawadrivingschool.com/carcourses.shtml

So basically I have two options, take the manual transmission course that is 819$ OR my bestfriend teaches me how to drive automatic to begin with and then I take a few hours of the IN-CAR LESSONS only to learn how to drive manual. That will save me a ton of money and time too.

Another factor that is making me lean away from the in-classes is the fact that I work 45 hours a week, and the weekends are where I really want to rest it up this summer :P

Any advice whatsoever is appreciated!

Thanks :)

Best to learn how to drive from a certified driving school. Not only will you learn how to drive but you will be able to apply the credit towards not only reducing the amount of time as a G1 driver, but may decrease your insurance premiums.

The fact that the instructors car has a dual brake also means that he/she can brake the car if you are about to do something really stupid (since you are a newbie on the road). The most your friend can do is scream "WATCH OUT!!!"

[Gunnerheadboy]

I did it at DTSM in Kanata. The in-class sessions were so boring I wanted to bullet through my head, but it got a bit better on the road but I had an awkward instructor. It reduced my insurance, waiting time for G2 and actually taught me thus passing on my first time.

[niroopg]

So I've finally decided to learn how to drive and I'm pretty excited. I'm planning on learning how to drive manual. I looked at the drivers ed course that is near my place and the price for the course seems pretty high. I was wondering whether you guys have an opinion on this?

(I'm in Ottawa btw, - Kanata)

http://www.ottawadrivingschool.com/carcourses.shtml

So basically I have two options, take the manual transmission course that is 819$ OR my bestfriend teaches me how to drive automatic to begin with and then I take a few hours of the IN-CAR LESSONS only to learn how to drive manual. That will save me a ton of money and time too.

Another factor that is making me lean away from the in-classes is the fact that I work 45 hours a week, and the weekends are where I really want to rest it up this summer :P

Any advice whatsoever is appreciated!

Thanks :)

Yes, despite its expense, it is worth it. You'll feel safer and learn all the things that you need to know to pass the G2 test. And you save money on insurance and shorter G2 wait time. And you can mess up badly on the road and it won't be a huge deal because your instructor has a brake and knows how to steer with one hand fromthe passenger seat lol.

[AcidBomber]

If you're going to spend $800+ on drivers ed, at least do it with someone more reputable like Young Drivers.

[MLVancouver]

I highly recommend Young Drivers. Driving education isn't exactly an area you want to skimp or cheap out on. Your going to be living and using these skills for the rest of your life, so might as well learn properly from trained professionals for your own safety and others.

[bogi093]

Take driving school. Boring, yes! In car, its very informative. Learning to drive the right way first is key so you can develop good habits. Over time you'll drive less like you will on your G2 test, but its important to grasp the key concepts.

As for learning manual, ask a friend? I wish I had friends with a manual car... Another option would be to rent a car for a day?

[game_fanatic]

Check the prices on the CAA Driving School, as well.

http://www.caasco.com/Auto/Driver-Training/Beginner-Driver-Training-Course.aspx

[Muney]

I think I paid $400 back in the day for drivers ed. Insane that its now $800. It is worth it though (well, the $400 price was) if you have no idea what you're doing.

[Rainne]

I believe the shorter G2 wait time and insurance savings are worth it.

[Jon04CTS]

Another vote for Young Drivers. I made my g/f take their course instead of one from a hole in the wall. I took a cheapo school back in the day and they're useless. They focus on teaching you how to pass the driving test... They don't actually teach you how to be a good driver.

I was very impressed by the YD course that the g/f took.

Spend a little more now. You can find a cheap driving school for $350. But all those savings fly out the window after your first accident. Go to a school that'll actually make you a better driver.

[calgaryhhr]

I wish there were more options available for real drivers training. The current driver's education courses and system is pretty weak and really quite inadequate in training drivers. What I would look to do and what I would recommend to someone who actually wants to gain driving skills would be to find a course (or a series of courses) where you are taught the theoritcally part of driving and the rules of the road (classroom portion) followed by a series of in car training where you learn how a car handles and learn about driving physics (similar to a performance driving school) followed by a series of in car training excercises on regular, public streets so that drivers can become comfortable with the real world.

The one aspect that is really lacking in current training is that new drivers are not taught about vehicle handling and driving physics. They don't get a sense of how a vehicle actually performs or how to react when a vehicle does something "unexpected" like loses traction.

I think a driving school is a good place to start in order to learn about driving and the rules of the road. The in car portion is acceptable for gaining some confidence on the streets but it really won't teach a new driver very many meaningul driving skills. Look for some sort of performance driving school to supplement the in car portion of training.

[Ethan15]

I took DTSM and spent shitload as well. Well worthed, highly recommended!

[PoRco]

Thanks for the replies guys!

I've decided that AT THE VERY LEAST I'm going to be taking classes from the instructor. I don't think my friend can teach me everything there is to know about driving on the road, I think the instructor will be able to add at least a couple more crucial tips.

However, I am really not looking forward to the in-class part. I was wondering if I can get away with doing only the IN-CAR driving part... I really dread the thought of sitting in the class for 5 hours on a saturday and sunday from 9-3pm (two entire weekends)

But if you guys think that the IN-CLASS portion is crucial then I'll go with it on your advice.

I was thinking that I could learn the in-class part on my own time over youtube or other internet resources, what do you think?

[PoRco]

Oh btw, I already am past my G2 wait time, I got my G1 in November 2010 ! :P

[PoRco]

I wish there were more options available for real drivers training. The current driver's education courses and system is pretty weak and really quite inadequate in training drivers. What I would look to do and what I would recommend to someone who actually wants to gain driving skills would be to find a course (or a series of courses) where you are taught the theoritcally part of driving and the rules of the road (classroom portion) followed by a series of in car training where you learn how a car handles and learn about driving physics (similar to a performance driving school) followed by a series of in car training excercises on regular, public streets so that drivers can become comfortable with the real world.

The one aspect that is really lacking in current training is that new drivers are not taught about vehicle handling and driving physics. They don't get a sense of how a vehicle actually performs or how to react when a vehicle does something "unexpected" like loses traction.

I think a driving school is a good place to start in order to learn about driving and the rules of the road. The in car portion is acceptable for gaining some confidence on the streets but it really won't teach a new driver very many meaningul driving skills. Look for some sort of performance driving school to supplement the in car portion of training.


A lot of my friends say that the in-class portion is mind-numbing and doesnt teach you much. Is that true ? Can resources be found on the internet instead?

[PoRco]

After you spoke of performance driving classes, I did some research, and I think I'm gonna do this : http://bmwccottawa.org/schools.php after I get my G2.

I think it would be a lot better to do just the IN-CAR training lessons with Ottawadriving school in order to get my g2 and be comfortable on the road , and then do the advanced training with bmw-ottawa-school to become a good driver

[boyoflondon]

I think I paid $400 back in the day for drivers ed. Insane that its now $800. It is worth it though (well, the $400 price was) if you have no idea what you're doing.

Me too. I took mine through my highschool at the time and it was great. Since I took it during winter time, my instructor even taught us how to regain control of the car in slippery conditions. It was def worth it although the training we get here is still pretty basic. In Germany, new drivers course is a year long and costs ~$2k. I wish we had that type of training here as we would have less idiots behind the wheel.

[Voltex]

A lot of my friends say that the in-class portion is mind-numbing and doesnt teach you much. Is that true ? Can resources be found on the internet instead?

In class lessons are pure hell. They teach you things like you're a ****** or something.


"This is the speedometer"

Why thank you captain obvious.....

[PoRco]

In class lessons are pure hell. They teach you things like you're a ****** or something.


"This is the speedometer"

Why thank you captain obvious.....

Hahah, that sounds brutal.

Do you recall anything useful they taught you that I won't be able to find on youtube or something?

[PoRco]

Me too. I took mine through my highschool at the time and it was great. Since I took it during winter time, my instructor even taught us how to regain control of the car in slippery conditions. It was def worth it although the training we get here is still pretty basic. In Germany, new drivers course is a year long and costs ~$2k. I wish we had that type of training here as we would have less idiots behind the wheel.

Yeah, the more I look into this, the more I feel the need to be an expert driver on the roads. I'm definitely taking more classes after my G2. Germany seems to have hit the nail on the head. They should incorporate it into school curriculum IMO.

[PoRco]

Does anyone know whether the insurance savings are for the first year only?

Is your insurance for the second year the same regardless of whether you take drivers ed or not?

[bogi093]

Does anyone know whether the insurance savings are for the first year only?

Is your insurance for the second year the same regardless of whether you take drivers ed or not?

Do drivers ed... Its as simple as that. Its 2 weekends of your life. Seriously man why are you making this so difficult? The discount is quite significant and technically it applies forever, but generally its a hefty discount until around age 21-24 I would guess. At that point the differences get smaller. If you wanna save money then find a really cheap school to get that discount and then do some driver's training with BMW or another performance driving school.

[MLVancouver]

Do drivers ed... Its as simple as that. Its 2 weekends of your life. Seriously man why are you making this so difficult? The discount is quite significant and technically it applies forever, but generally its a hefty discount until around age 21-24 I would guess. At that point the differences get smaller. If you wanna save money then find a really cheap school to get that discount and then do some driver's training with BMW or another performance driving school.

Agreed. I sat through all those in-class lessons, over 4-5 days straight, all day through the summer. Sure it was a drag but you will never have to do it again in your life.