Best place for Driver's Ed? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FireFly · 05-05-2007, 05:40 PM

Just wondering where people took their driver's education and/or any refresher courses, and whether or not they thought it was good/worth it? I've decided it's time to get my driver's liscence... not that I can afford a car yet, but so if I ever need to go somewhere, I can at least rent one. I've done some price checking, but most places don't have websites. (Or the ones listed aren't in existence anymore.) Does it matter if I go to a place like AMA versus Rainbow? (No, I'm not kidding. There is a driver's ed place called Rainbow.)

Thoughts? Suggestions? Should I go for the deluxe package vs the bare bones?

4X4 · 05-05-2007, 06:10 PM

Pretty sure that it doesn't matter where your certificate comes from, you get the same discounts on insurance (which aren't much).

As demonstrated on Calgary roads everyday, you don't need driver's ed to get your license. Just get the book, study it for a week, then take the test.

Of course, you do need to provide the car. If you take driver's ed, they give you the test at the end with their car.

Vulcan · 05-05-2007, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4X4

Of course, you do need to provide the car. If you take driver's ed, they give you the test at the end with their car.

I find it more than interesting , that the same place that takes your money and trains you, also tests you.

4X4 · 05-05-2007, 06:22 PM

I'd rant about some of the ethnic places that pass out licenses to their own, but that'd probably not be PC enough for CP.

FireFly · 05-05-2007, 06:25 PM

I think you actually need to take 15 hours of classroom time now though. Perhaps that's with the new laws, and since I've had my learner's forever, they don't apply to me. I don't know... I'm mostly doing it since I don't have a car and need to practise.

Vulcan · 05-05-2007, 06:31 PM

It's springtime, this is what you should take.

http://www.calgarysafetycouncil.com/...cleProgram.htm

FireFly · 05-05-2007, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vulcan

It's springtime, this is what you should take.

http://www.calgarysafetycouncil.com/...cleProgram.htm

I'm okay without that thanks. My family's been ripped apart enough by motorcycle accidents.

Vulcan · 05-05-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

I'm okay without that thanks. My family's been ripped apart enough by motorcycle accidents.

my apologies.

Clever_Iggy · 05-05-2007, 07:04 PM

I took mine at "A" driving school years and years ago (at the bottom of Shaganappi close to Foothills hospital). It was cheap (and the classroom, office and cars attest to that) but the discount is the same as anywhere else.

Places like AMA are a bit more expensive, but you learn on nicer cars.

I think theyre all pretty standard - just shop around for the best price - although youre entering their "peak season".

redforever · 05-05-2007, 11:32 PM

Young Drivers of Canada. Sent both my kids there. Sent my daughter to AMA first, does not compare at all to Young Drivers of Canada.

Clever_Iggy · 05-05-2007, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redforever

Young Drivers of Canada. Sent both my kids there. Sent my daughter to AMA first, does not compare at all to Young Drivers of Canada.

Actually I have several friends that did theirs through Young Drivers and the results were positive. Im not sure if it's the standard package or what, but they learned a lot about general car maintenance (change a tire, boost a car, etc...) on top of just the road training.

Temporary_User · 05-06-2007, 01:41 AM

Wow, I'm not from Canada (States) I had no idea that not everyone had to take drivers ed up here. It's neccessary in the states (well atleast it was in my state).
Ours was offered through our HS, so it was a before school program that you signed up and had to pay for. Ours had alot of classroom, simulator and actual driving. We also had homework that our parents had to sign off on (tire change etc).

redforever · 05-06-2007, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Quote:
Originally Posted by redforever

Young Drivers of Canada. Sent both my kids there. Sent my daughter to AMA first, does not compare at all to Young Drivers of Canada.

Actually I have several friends that did theirs through Young Drivers and the results were positive. Im not sure if it's the standard package or what, but they learned a lot about general car maintenance (change a tire, boost a car, etc...) on top of just the road training.

For one thing, they take you out onto country roads as well and show you how to recover on gravel. They take you residential, then more busy roads, and finally the Deerfoot. And they give you short notice to plan a trip to an address of their choice, so they force you to read maps too.

PS. forgot to add that it is all one on one with the instructor, whereas when my daughter did the AMA one, there were 2 of them for one instructor, so they shared the time. They dont get any practical experience when they are the one not driving!!!

FireFly · 05-06-2007, 02:12 AM

Young Drivers cheapest course is $300 more than the cheapest AMA course.... that's what's holding me back from them. Actually, it's $90 more than AMAs most expensive course. So yeah. Not sure it's worth that much.

redforever · 05-06-2007, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FireFly

Young Drivers cheapest course is $300 more than the cheapest AMA course.... that's what's holding me back from them. Actually, it's $90 more than AMAs most expensive course. So yeah. Not sure it's worth that much.

Like I said, I put both my kids through Young Drivers of Canada but my daughter went through AMA first and had no confidence from them and had learned very little, since she shared driving time while with AMA. I know it is more expensive, unless AMA has changed a lot, there was no comparison when my children went through the program.

Maritime Q-Scout · 05-06-2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Temporary_User

Wow, I'm not from Canada (States) I had no idea that not everyone had to take drivers ed up here. It's neccessary in the states (well atleast it was in my state).
Ours was offered through our HS, so it was a before school program that you signed up and had to pay for. Ours had alot of classroom, simulator and actual driving. We also had homework that our parents had to sign off on (tire change etc).

In Nova Scotia we have a graduated system that is three steps. You pass a written drivers test to get your "beginers" license. Class 7 I believe. This allows you to drive in a car with one fully licensed Class 5 (normal drivers license) driver. No other passangers.

Then after 6 months, *if* you have a defensive driving course (Drivers Ed) and can show proof of that, you can go for a road test which is administered by a government official. If you pass that you are upgraded to a Class 5N. The N stands for newly licensed driver. You can drive with as many people in your car as seatbelts, but you have less merrit points, as well you cannot drive between 12am and 6am. The exception being if you work you can get documentation saying you can drive directly from work to home during those hours.

If you don't have Drivers Ed it's a year with your beginers not 6 months before you can get your Class 5N.

After 2 years with a Class 5N, if you have a Drivers Ed course you're automatically upgraded to a normal Class 5 (regular drivers license). I believe there may be exceptions depending on your driving record (tickets, etc) but I'm not certain.

If you don't have a defensive driving course I don't think you can get your Class 5 license.

I HIGHLY reccomend taking a defensive driving course for those who haven't taken one. Litterally saved my life, and the lives of three others:

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthr...light=accident

Five-hole · 05-06-2007, 11:41 AM

Count me as another vote for Young Drivers. My sister and I both did it and both benefitted greatly from it. IIRC you also get a 5% or 10% deduction on your insurance if you've taken a defensive driving course (which YD is) ... though I'm not sure if other drivers courses also provide this.

Anyway, if you can afford it, do it.

Anti-Hero · 05-06-2007, 01:47 PM

Im also jumping on the Young Drivers band wagon. My brother took AMA, failed his test 4 times before getting his liscense and told me not to take AMA, so I went with Young Drivers and it was pretty damn good, my in car instructor really knew how to teach, he could tell I was a little bit nervous after our first lesson, and for our second lesson he said "Today were getting over that nervousness fast." I drove downtown and back and on the deerfoot, and with his help I was able to do a pretty decent job.

Flames09 · 06-27-2007, 01:26 PM

HOLY CRAP I was just checking this out for someone and is it just me or have the prices rised, majority of the places are $500, and when I was checking last year for someone else every place was around $350.

FlamesKickAss · 06-27-2007, 10:53 PM

i took at ama and passed my test first try. thought it was a good prgram.

and it does save you money on insurance. at the company i work for you get 3 years driving experience and if you get 2 years if you are on the grid.

so it is worth it in my mind.