As reported by CAA-Québec
Since January 17, 2010, marks the return of compulsory lessons for those wishing to obtain a passenger vehicle driver’s licence. The course content has also been renewed. The requirement to take driving lessons in order to obtain a probationary licence had been abolished on July 1, 1997, after having been in effect since 1983. Motorcycle driving courses, meanwhile, were once again made compulsory in 2001.
CAA-Quebec and its network of Approved Driving Schools are ready
CAA-Quebec is delighted with these reforms, which emphasize road safety and introduce learning content that is truly enriched and based not only on development of the skills needed to be a competent driver, but also on acquisition of concepts of how to behave on the road. It is no longer a matter of preparing candidates for the provincial driver’s test, but of making them responsible drivers over the long term. CAA-Quebec’s entire network of Approved Driving Schools is ready to meet the challenge of these reforms, and the organization remains available to provide them with any necessary support.
Finally, a true road safety education program
Because there is more to driving than knowing how to recognize road signs and properly controlling an automobile, the new driver education course puts the accent on road safety. Students will still learn how to drive, of course, but they will also learn how to behave responsibly and safely behind the wheel, and to share the road with others. The program aims to make new drivers independent by getting them to think about the consequences of their actions… before they act.
Learning period: now the same for everyone
From 1997 until recently, prospective drivers could take advantage of a shorter learning period by taking a practical course at a recognized driving school. This reduced the time required to obtain a probationary licence from 12 to 8 months. The course was non-compulsory, and involved a minimum of 12 practical driving sessions with a certified instructor. With the return to compulsory lessons, the learning period is now a minimum of 13 months for all new drivers.
Theory and practice in symbiosis
The new course consists of:
From now on, classroom theory courses and road lessons will alternate. The new approach is more interactive, putting the student at the heart of the learning process and promoting better assimilation of knowledge as well as development of the required skills. New drivers will be able to use a website to do online review exercises and extend their learning independently. Only those enrolled at a driving school can access the site. The address is: http://educationroutiere.saaq.gouv.qc.ca.
A comprehensive program
Learning topics will include the automobile itself, of course, but also such aspects as sharing the road, environmentally responsible driving, awareness of dangerous behaviours such as speeding, drug and alcohol use, and distracted driving.
The course content must include four specific problem areas, to be covered in practical sessions: winter driving, driving in wet conditions, driving at night, and passing.
At least 13 months of training
All candidates for a probationary licence must complete the new road safety education program. The entire process, including theory evaluation at the driving school and theory and practice tests at the SAAQ, will last a minimum of 13 months. This is a sufficient length of time to allow students to properly assimilate the knowledge and new behaviours learned in the classroom and on the road. In addition, the program strongly encourages practice outside of course time, with an accompanying person who is willing to take on this extremely important role and devote the necessary time to helping the learning driver prepare to take to the road.
For more information or to enrol in a driver education course, feel free to contact one of the schools in CAA-Quebec’s network of Approved Driving Schools.
photo:Jupiter Images
Since January 17, 2010, marks the return of compulsory lessons for those wishing to obtain a passenger vehicle driver’s licence. The course content has also been renewed. The requirement to take driving lessons in order to obtain a probationary licence had been abolished on July 1, 1997, after having been in effect since 1983. Motorcycle driving courses, meanwhile, were once again made compulsory in 2001.
CAA-Quebec and its network of Approved Driving Schools are ready
CAA-Quebec is delighted with these reforms, which emphasize road safety and introduce learning content that is truly enriched and based not only on development of the skills needed to be a competent driver, but also on acquisition of concepts of how to behave on the road. It is no longer a matter of preparing candidates for the provincial driver’s test, but of making them responsible drivers over the long term. CAA-Quebec’s entire network of Approved Driving Schools is ready to meet the challenge of these reforms, and the organization remains available to provide them with any necessary support.
Finally, a true road safety education program
Because there is more to driving than knowing how to recognize road signs and properly controlling an automobile, the new driver education course puts the accent on road safety. Students will still learn how to drive, of course, but they will also learn how to behave responsibly and safely behind the wheel, and to share the road with others. The program aims to make new drivers independent by getting them to think about the consequences of their actions… before they act.
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Learning period: now the same for everyone
From 1997 until recently, prospective drivers could take advantage of a shorter learning period by taking a practical course at a recognized driving school. This reduced the time required to obtain a probationary licence from 12 to 8 months. The course was non-compulsory, and involved a minimum of 12 practical driving sessions with a certified instructor. With the return to compulsory lessons, the learning period is now a minimum of 13 months for all new drivers.
Theory and practice in symbiosis
The new course consists of:
- 24 in-class theory modules (12 sessions of 2 hours each);
- 15 practical sessions (15 road lessons of 55 minutes each).
From now on, classroom theory courses and road lessons will alternate. The new approach is more interactive, putting the student at the heart of the learning process and promoting better assimilation of knowledge as well as development of the required skills. New drivers will be able to use a website to do online review exercises and extend their learning independently. Only those enrolled at a driving school can access the site. The address is: http://educationroutiere.saaq.gouv.qc.ca.
A comprehensive program
Learning topics will include the automobile itself, of course, but also such aspects as sharing the road, environmentally responsible driving, awareness of dangerous behaviours such as speeding, drug and alcohol use, and distracted driving.
The course content must include four specific problem areas, to be covered in practical sessions: winter driving, driving in wet conditions, driving at night, and passing.
At least 13 months of training
All candidates for a probationary licence must complete the new road safety education program. The entire process, including theory evaluation at the driving school and theory and practice tests at the SAAQ, will last a minimum of 13 months. This is a sufficient length of time to allow students to properly assimilate the knowledge and new behaviours learned in the classroom and on the road. In addition, the program strongly encourages practice outside of course time, with an accompanying person who is willing to take on this extremely important role and devote the necessary time to helping the learning driver prepare to take to the road.
For more information or to enrol in a driver education course, feel free to contact one of the schools in CAA-Quebec’s network of Approved Driving Schools.
photo:Jupiter Images