YD vs other driving schools

[lazy_prodigy]

I just got my G1 and am wanting to go to a driving school. I have heard that Young Drivers of Canada is the best one out there but it is also one of the most expensive. Is it really worth it? How does it compare to Peter's Academy of Defensive Driving, or the College of Defensive Driving, which costs about $400?

I will go with the auto shift program for now since my parents have an auto Sienna. The combo program costs $1,329.00, which is what I am thinking of registering for. I will go to either the Yorkdale or Yonge & Eglinton location. Is there a difference between the two, or does it really just come down to the instructor you get?

[thephenom]

For $1329, I'd do the $400 one from other school, and spend the rest on BMW's advance driver training or something.

[dbx]

It really comes down to the instructor you get. Oh and you also get to driver around fancier cars instead of the standard 98 corolla most driving schools have.

[f00kie]

Holy ****, I paid $300 for All Star driving school many years back... but over a grand? Wow.

[MacGyver]

I learned with YD 14 years ago. I have used the emergency manouvres they taught me more than once. Had I not, I am certain my insurance deductibles would have been more than the driver training.

Highly recommended. Worth every penny.

As for learning how to drive stick, learn how to drive auto first, then you can go back to YD or another driving school for a couple of stick lessons.

[JAGpilot]

I went with a ****** $300 company (Pro-Star). I had 3 different in-car instructors. The in-class was a total goatshow with no organization or structure. Long story short it was crap and I will never recommend them but I drive fine now. Highways, traffic, city, etc is not a problem for me. The important thing is learning to drive the car. The theoretical stuff you learn by reading the book and while driving with the instructor.

[e1e0n]

I just got my G1 and am wanting to go to a driving school. I have heard that Young Drivers of Canada is the best one out there but it is also one of the most expensive. Is it really worth it? How does it compare to Peter's Academy of Defensive Driving, or the College of Defensive Driving, which costs about $400?

I will go with the auto shift program for now since my parents have an auto Sienna. The combo program costs $1,329.00, which is what I am thinking of registering for. I will go to either the Yorkdale or Yonge & Eglinton location. Is there a difference between the two, or does it really just come down to the instructor you get?

Never choose School. You need a good instructor. That's it. When you go with School they will assign any available instructor, and he/she maybe not the best one, or even worse, you will get different instructors for different lessons. Ask some references from friends/family. For 1/3 of that price you will get some really good instructor who will give you much more then School.

[VivienM]

I will go with the auto shift program for now since my parents have an auto Sienna. The combo program costs $1,329.00, which is what I am thinking of registering for. I will go to either the Yorkdale or Yonge & Eglinton location. Is there a difference between the two, or does it really just come down to the instructor you get?

$1329?!? When I did YD close to a decade ago (gaaaaaaaaaah I'm old), it was $650 for automatic, $750 for manual in Ottawa...

That being said, I'd recommend YD. Do the other schools, for example, NEVER have another student in the car with you?

[ES_Revenge]

Never choose School. You need a good instructor. That's it. When you go with School they will assign any available instructor, and he/she maybe not the best one, or even worse, you will get different instructors for different lessons. Ask some references from friends/family. For 1/3 of that price you will get some really good instructor who will give you much more then School.

Emphasis added.

With that post I think you should have chosen [to go to] school, LOL

As for what school to go to, I'm surprised no one mentioned CAA? Do they still have a driving school? Back in the day it was the "most prestigious" regular driving school--cost more than YD.