Confirmed: We look forward to seeing you in class!
What happens After I register for the course?
1) Within 24 Hours
Shortly after you register online, you will receive an email from WDS, confirming your registration and time slot. If you don't see an email response, be sure to check your Junk/Spam mail folder 24 hours after registering and call the school if you haven't gotten a response, just in case.
2) Online Course
Once students are registered, they will be emailed a link to the Trubicars site where they can register and begin the course. All students must complete both the Beginners Driving Education section and the Homelink section. Once these are complete, in-car lessons can begin.
3) Booking In-Car Lessons
Note that at first, we don't book more than 1 or 2 lessons in advance (see "How fast can I get my license?" below) to ensure in-car instructors a couple of lessons to learn the student's abilities and to accommodate busy student schedules. But if you can commit to a fixed time (i.e. every 2 weeks on Thursday at 4pm), please let your instructor know.
Instructors will make every effort to pick up and drop off students at convenient locations in the Waterdown area, but if you live in outlying areas, drop-off and pick-up locations will be arranged so that a large portion of their lesson isn't wasted just getting them to places where they can learn.
4) In-Car Lessons
Students should dress comfortably (we once did a lesson with a student in a bathrobe as she was getting ready for prom!) and be prepared to focus on the road. Students will be asked to turn off their cell phones during lessons to prevent distractions.
Students are encouraged to practice 2-3 hours for every hour of in-car instruction. This dramatically improves pass rates as students are able to practice their skills between lessons and improve their comfort level behind the wheel immensely.
If students are unable to find an adult volunteer for in-car practice, please discuss additional in-car practice lessons with your instructor as it could be the difference between passing and failing the G2 road test.
As always, students are asked to communicate freely with their in-car instructors. Going to be a little late? Send a quick text message. Need to cancel a lesson? Be aware of our cancellation policy and give you instructor a minimum of 24 hours notice.
Parents who would like an update on their son's or daughter's progress for in-car instruction are encouraged to contact the instructor at any time and instructors will contact them regarding any concerns (i.e. an early identified need for additional lessons) when appropriate.
5) Passing the Course
Congratulations! Once you've completed the full online course and in-car lessons with WDS, your instructor will "certify" your experience with the Ministry of Transportation (no additional cost). This reduces your wait time between your G1 and G2 road test from 12 months to 8 months and you can book your G2 road test.
6) G1 Road Test
On the big day, WDS students have two options:
1) DIY - Students who would like to take their road test in a family vehicle can book their test directly with the local Road Test centre. Note that the in-car instructors LOVE to hear how you did, so please send them a quick message and let them know how you did!
2) WDS In-Car Test Service - WDS provides a full-service "Test Day" package for a nominal amount, including booking the test, pick-up in the Waterdown area, warm-up (and last minute reminders), use of the instruction car during their test, and review and drop-off in the Waterdown area afterwards. Many parents choose this option both for convenience and because it provides students with additional support and confidence during their test. Simply arrange this with your in-car driving instructor.
7) The Rest of Your Life
Congratulations! You're a fully-trained and licensed driver with the skills you need to drive safely for decades to come. Good driving habits last a lifetime and could save your (or another's) life at some point, but if at any point you find yourself developing bad driving habits or you simply want a refresher lesson or two, don't hesitate to get in touch.
Shortly after you register online, you will receive an email from WDS, confirming your registration and time slot. If you don't see an email response, be sure to check your Junk/Spam mail folder 24 hours after registering and call the school if you haven't gotten a response, just in case.
2) Online Course
Once students are registered, they will be emailed a link to the Trubicars site where they can register and begin the course. All students must complete both the Beginners Driving Education section and the Homelink section. Once these are complete, in-car lessons can begin.
3) Booking In-Car Lessons
Note that at first, we don't book more than 1 or 2 lessons in advance (see "How fast can I get my license?" below) to ensure in-car instructors a couple of lessons to learn the student's abilities and to accommodate busy student schedules. But if you can commit to a fixed time (i.e. every 2 weeks on Thursday at 4pm), please let your instructor know.
Instructors will make every effort to pick up and drop off students at convenient locations in the Waterdown area, but if you live in outlying areas, drop-off and pick-up locations will be arranged so that a large portion of their lesson isn't wasted just getting them to places where they can learn.
4) In-Car Lessons
Students should dress comfortably (we once did a lesson with a student in a bathrobe as she was getting ready for prom!) and be prepared to focus on the road. Students will be asked to turn off their cell phones during lessons to prevent distractions.
Students are encouraged to practice 2-3 hours for every hour of in-car instruction. This dramatically improves pass rates as students are able to practice their skills between lessons and improve their comfort level behind the wheel immensely.
If students are unable to find an adult volunteer for in-car practice, please discuss additional in-car practice lessons with your instructor as it could be the difference between passing and failing the G2 road test.
As always, students are asked to communicate freely with their in-car instructors. Going to be a little late? Send a quick text message. Need to cancel a lesson? Be aware of our cancellation policy and give you instructor a minimum of 24 hours notice.
Parents who would like an update on their son's or daughter's progress for in-car instruction are encouraged to contact the instructor at any time and instructors will contact them regarding any concerns (i.e. an early identified need for additional lessons) when appropriate.
5) Passing the Course
Congratulations! Once you've completed the full online course and in-car lessons with WDS, your instructor will "certify" your experience with the Ministry of Transportation (no additional cost). This reduces your wait time between your G1 and G2 road test from 12 months to 8 months and you can book your G2 road test.
6) G1 Road Test
On the big day, WDS students have two options:
1) DIY - Students who would like to take their road test in a family vehicle can book their test directly with the local Road Test centre. Note that the in-car instructors LOVE to hear how you did, so please send them a quick message and let them know how you did!
2) WDS In-Car Test Service - WDS provides a full-service "Test Day" package for a nominal amount, including booking the test, pick-up in the Waterdown area, warm-up (and last minute reminders), use of the instruction car during their test, and review and drop-off in the Waterdown area afterwards. Many parents choose this option both for convenience and because it provides students with additional support and confidence during their test. Simply arrange this with your in-car driving instructor.
7) The Rest of Your Life
Congratulations! You're a fully-trained and licensed driver with the skills you need to drive safely for decades to come. Good driving habits last a lifetime and could save your (or another's) life at some point, but if at any point you find yourself developing bad driving habits or you simply want a refresher lesson or two, don't hesitate to get in touch.
How fast can I Get my License?
er “How fast can I do my in-car lessons?”
It’s tempting to want to get behind the wheel the moment you get your G1 license, but the ideal timeline for learning to drive safely takes time.
Mandatory Wait Time
There’s a mandatory wait time of 8 months after you’ve gotten your G1 license before you can take your G2 road test, if you complete a course with an MTO-approved driving school (12 months if you don’t take a course).
If you try to “cram” all your in-car lessons at the beginning of that time period, we often find that younger drivers taking their G2 test have forgotten a great deal or developed some bad habits, that may cause you to have to take a re-test, costing time and money.
Practice is Key
In-car instruction with an experienced instructor is very important for learning fundamentals and driving skills, but in-car practice with a friend or family member is also necessary.
We recommend a ratio of 3 hours of non-instructor practice for every 1 hour of instructor practice. In order for you to get the time needed, you should space your in-car instructor lessons at least a week apart and ideally two.
You (And Your Parents) Have a Life
Whether it’s school, work, sports, extracurriculars or family time, your schedule is busy! Trying to “speedtrack” your in-car instruction around a busy schedule not only leaves you and the adults helping you practice stressed, it also reduces your ability to consciously and effectively learn.
Safe driving is a life-long skill; take the time now to learn skills that could save your life for decades to come.
Except in case of unusual circumstances (i.e. a student is moving out of the area shortly or already already has ample practice driving experience) a safe and effective in-class and in-car BDE course should take 8 to 12 weeks depending on availability.
It’s tempting to want to get behind the wheel the moment you get your G1 license, but the ideal timeline for learning to drive safely takes time.
Mandatory Wait Time
There’s a mandatory wait time of 8 months after you’ve gotten your G1 license before you can take your G2 road test, if you complete a course with an MTO-approved driving school (12 months if you don’t take a course).
If you try to “cram” all your in-car lessons at the beginning of that time period, we often find that younger drivers taking their G2 test have forgotten a great deal or developed some bad habits, that may cause you to have to take a re-test, costing time and money.
Practice is Key
In-car instruction with an experienced instructor is very important for learning fundamentals and driving skills, but in-car practice with a friend or family member is also necessary.
We recommend a ratio of 3 hours of non-instructor practice for every 1 hour of instructor practice. In order for you to get the time needed, you should space your in-car instructor lessons at least a week apart and ideally two.
You (And Your Parents) Have a Life
Whether it’s school, work, sports, extracurriculars or family time, your schedule is busy! Trying to “speedtrack” your in-car instruction around a busy schedule not only leaves you and the adults helping you practice stressed, it also reduces your ability to consciously and effectively learn.
Safe driving is a life-long skill; take the time now to learn skills that could save your life for decades to come.
Except in case of unusual circumstances (i.e. a student is moving out of the area shortly or already already has ample practice driving experience) a safe and effective in-class and in-car BDE course should take 8 to 12 weeks depending on availability.
