Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Beginner Driver Education Course MTO Certified?
Yes! Our Digital BDE program is MTO certified! This means it meets or exceeds the standards of all licensed driving schools!
Why an Online Course?
We love this question! Our online BDE course is the perfect solution for our students. It is self-paced meaning it is available 24/7 and completely flexible around student’s already busy lives.
Our in-car instruction has always been flexible. We pick up and drop off across the cities we operate in, instructors schedule around the student’s schedules and we work with you to finish the course.
Now, our theory portion can meet that level of flexibility! The online course fulfills the same content as the traditional classroom course and also contains rigorous testing and comprehension exercises to ensure every student is learning the material.
The online course has similar restrictions on time, such as a 5-hour per day maximum to closely mirror the classic in-class instruction.
Will I get a Discount on my Insurance?
Maybe! You may be eligible for an insurance discount, please contact your insurance company for more information.
A Driver’s License History (from Service Ontario) will show proof of successful completion of this approved BDE course, and graduates with a DLH are eligible for an insurance discount.
I selected e-transfer as my method of payment, how do I pay?
Please etransfer payment to: registrations@firstroute.ca with the student’s name in the message field of the etransfer!
We are registered for autodeposit, so you shouldn’t need a password!
How do I pay for the course?
We accept payment at the time of registration via etransfer or credit card online. At this time we cannot accept cash or cheques.
What is the refund policy?
Once the student has been registered into the online course, no refunds will be issued.
Why do you require my Driver's License number at registration?
Your license number is submitted to the MTO in order to update your Driver’s License History.
Do you book my G2 test? How can I book it myself?
Our instructors do not book G2 tests. Occasionally, if you have purchased the Road Test package, as a courtesy, the instructor may book your test for you, however that is done on a case by case basis.
Your G2 test can be booked directly with DriveTest at: https://drivetest.ca/book-a-road-test/
Can I take this course before I get my G1?
Yes, you can take the online portion only before you get your G1 as long as you have turned 16, or your birthday is within 2 month of the course date. We require a G1 copy on file at the office before any in-car lessons can be taught.
Are your instructors vaccinated?
Yes! We have vaccinated instructors in each city. For more information, please contact our head office!
What if I need more lessons?
If you are registered in the BDE course and need additional lesson to pass the final test, please speak with your instructor! Additional lessons for BDE students are offered at a deeply discounted rate to assist students with completing the course.
If you are a private student and need more lessons, please speak with your instructor about our packages.
What if I am moving and need to finish my course?
If you are moving to a city that we have a location in, please let us know and we will transfer you! If you know you are moving to a city we do not service, please let us know as soon as possible so we can do our best to help you complete your in-car hours.
What do I do if I am having trouble with the online course?
The online BDE course we use has built-in support 6 days a week. For any technical help, please use the “Get Support” buttons on the login page or at the bottom of all course pages. That connects directly to the technical support team. Our office staff can help sometimes with simple explanations, but our tech support has the best chance of resolving issues.
How do I get certified? How long does it take?
Certifications are done daily for students who complete both the full 30-hour online component and 10 hours of in-car instruction with a passing grade.
Once we have received the in-car sheet from the instructor, students will typically be certified within 2 business days. This can be longer depending on MTO processing time. If more time has passed, please contact the office!
Once a student is certified, they will be automatically emailed a copy of our course certificate for use with their insurance.
What if I miss an in-car lesson?
If you miss an in-car lesson please contact your driving instructor at least 24 hours in advance to avoid a cancellation fee. Lessons will be made up in-car and can be scheduled directly with your instructor.
Is manual transmission available?
No, we teach exclusively in modern, clean, automatic vehicles.
Do I need insurance to begin the course?
No! You do not need any insurance to take the course.
Will there be more than one student in the vehicle?
No! All lessons are taught one-on-one with an instructor unless a special request is made by both students to be taught together.
How long do I have to finish the course?
The MTO allows for 1 year from the date of enrollment into the online course to complete the course. If you do not complete the course within one year you will be required to take the entire course again.
Former students who took the course between March 2019 and January 2022 have until December 31, 2022 to complete the full course.
When do I start my in-car lessons?
Once you have completed the online or in-class portion of the course, including homework and uploaded a copy of your license, you will be moved to an instructor’s student list. The time it takes to be contacted varies by city and time of year, but we do our best to have you contacted as soon as possible!
I registered and have not heard from an instructor what do I do?
If you have not completed the online course or provided a G1 copy during the registration, that is what we are waiting for!
If you have provided a G1 copy, please contact the office for more information!
Why should I take your course?
Great Question!
Everyone is different in terms of skills and abilities, however, everyone can benefit from practice and the expert guidance of an instructor.
Additionally, graduates of our BDE course are eligible to receive a reduced wait time (8 months instead of 12 months) for their G2 test as well as a potential reduction in insurance costs.
Why you are considering private lessons vs. the full course, consider the savings of 10 hours included in the course vs. the cost of doing 10 private hours!
