Instructor cautions new Peterborough drivers to beware of phony driving schools

 A Peterborough driving instructor is urging all new drivers to do their homework before signing up to take a G1 course.

Kevin Covert, who owns and operates Peterborough Driving School with his wife Heather, says more driving schools are opening and offering driving lessons for beginners, without proper approval from the Ministry of Transportation. It's a growing problem in the GTA, according to a Toronto Star investigation, and Mr. Covert says he's become aware of at least one Peterborough company that's wrongly-posed as a Ministry-approved school.

He suspects it won't be long before more companies open and lie about having Ministry approval. So far, the Ministry of Transportation says it hasn't issued any warnings to unlicensed Peterborough driving schools claiming to be licensed.

Mr. Covert isn't looking to slam other driving schools, he just wants new drivers to be aware of the issue when they're picking a company to take their G1 course with.

Under the Highway Traffic Act, schools that aren't Ministry-approved can't teach in-car lessons to beginners, Mr. Covert says.

And taking lessons with an unaccredited school could have repercussions for drivers, he adds.

According to Mr. Covert, licensed schools have access to a Ministry database -- a list of drivers who've successfully completed their G1 drivers course. When new drivers pass the course, their names are added to the list.

Passing the course allows drivers to take their G2 road test after eight months (as opposed to waiting one year without the course) and it also makes drivers eligible for discounts on car insurance when they receive their licenses.

If they're names aren't on the Ministry list, they won't get the discount.

"Eventually, it's going to catch up with (drivers)," Mr. Covert says about taking a course with an unlicensed school.

Further, there's a good chance schools that are operating without Ministry oversight likely don't have proper insurance to be teaching new drivers, Mr. Covert says.

"The vehicle has to have $2 million worth of liability," he says. "You also have to have a special rider (endorsement) that the vehicle is being used for a driver school and to teach G1 drivers."

According to the Toronto Star, some GTA instructors have found a way around licensing regulations, by offering in-car lessons under their own company name. The instructors often work for ministry-approved driving schools and while that school provides the in-class portion of the course, the instructor can pocket the cash that's paid for actual driving lessons.

In those cases, there's no accountability put on the instructor to follow proper course guidelines.

Mr. Covert says he's all for competition, but he wants drivers to know what they're getting when they pick a driving school.

"It's something to watch for," he says.

To check out the Ministry's list of approved driving schools -- and it's list of schools that have had their licences revoked, visit www.mto.gov.on.ca.

Ministry-approved schools have to re-new their licenses every three years.