Sub-Total: $0.00
Frequently Asked Questions
BDE: Before Signing Up
Is Omni-Lateral an MTO-approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course provider?
Yes. You can check whether a driving school is an MTO-approved BDE course provider here: https://www.ontario.ca/page/government-approved-driving-schools
What are the benefits of completing an MTO-approved BDE course?
Successful completion allows students to take their G2 road test 8 months (rather than 1 year) after they receive their G1. Participating auto insurance companies provide a discount (varying) for new drivers who complete an MTO-approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course.
What if I’m not sure whether our city/town/school is among your service locations?
Just ask us! Call or text Keith at (613) 297-5302 or submit your question on our “contact us” page.
Do students have to be 16 to register for the course?
No, students can be registered and begin the eLearning theory component when they are no more than 60 days before their 16th birthday. They need to be 16 to get their G1 licence, which they need for in-vehicle lessons.
Do students have to have a G1 licence before they can start the course?
No, students can be registered and begin the eLearning theory component before they get their G1. However, they won’t be able to start in-vehicle lessons until they have their G1.
Does your BDE course prepare students to get their G1?
No, the BDE course material is more advanced. To prepare for the knowledge test for the G1, students will need to get a copy of The Official Ministry of Transportation (MTO) Driver’s Handbook which can be purchased at a DriveTest Centre and some retail stores; it can also be accessed as an on-line version on the MTO website (https://www.ontario.ca/document/official-mto-drivers-handbook). There are a number of Ontario-specific G1 apps available that help students prepare, and provide practice tests and even simulated mock tests.
Where do students take the G1 knowledge test?
At a DriveTest Centre. Check out the steps in the process, as well as what students need to bring, and what they’ll need to do, when they go: https://drivetest.ca/licences/drivers-licences-cars/
Do students need auto insurance to take a BDE course?
No because the G1 driver will be using the insured driving school vehicle for their lessons and the student is accompanied by a driving instructor covered under that policy. Parents/guardians should check with their insurance provider about coverage requirements for G1 drivers.
Do students need to have their own vehicle?
No. Driving lessons will be in the instructor’s driving school vehicle. Ideally students will get practice between lessons with a driving mentor (a G-licenced driver with at least 4 years driving experience), using their vehicle.
What technology do students need to complete the eLearning?
A computer or laptop with up-to-date software, and a stable internet connection. Tech support advises that a Google Chrome browser should be used for best results.
How long do students have to finish the course?
The MTO requires students to complete their BDE course (the theory, homework and driving lessons) within one year of logging on to begin the eLearning component. The MTO makes no exceptions and will not allow students to be certified if they are even one day past their deadline.
BDE Registration and Getting Started:
I signed up and a welcome email hasn’t arrived—what do I do?
Once a student has been signed up, the first payment has been made, and the required information provided, they will be registered and should receive a welcome email within 24 hours (which includes a link to begin the eLearning component). If the email hasn’t arrived, please let us know and we will troubleshoot with you.
Who do we contact for technical issues with the eLearning component?
Please contact Digital Driver Technical Support at (437) 317-5595 (Mon-Fri 9am-7pm; weekends and holidays, 9am 5pm). If you get voicemail, leave a message; if the voicemail is full, call back every hour or so until you get a person. The staff members are very helpful. Students also have the option of using the chat function within the eLearning program or the “Need help?” link under the login area.
Why are the eLearning sections timed? Why do students have to take breaks? Why can’t students do more than 5 hours per day?
The timed sections, forced breaks and daily time limit are all MTO requirements to which BDE course providers and students must adhere.
What should we do if there is a problem with the internet/the eLearning program/ computer that causes a student to do poorly when taking a quiz or a test?
Please document the problem that occurred and contact Digital Driver Tech Support (details 2 FAQs back) right away, explain the situation to them, and request that the quiz or test be reset to allow a re-take.
What grade do students need in order to pass the eLearning component?
Students need a final grade of at least 70% to pass. Please contact Keith at (613) 297-5302 if a student’s final grade is less than 70%.
It looks like the eLearning has been completed…why does it say only 99% complete?
Usually this happens when the required feedback survey hasn’t been completed, which is worth 1%. Please complete the feedback survey and if the problem persists, contact Digital Driver Tech Support.
Do students need to finish their eLearning before starting the in-vehicle training?
Yes, the MTO has specified that students must be 100% complete their eLearning before starting their driving lessons. When they are 100% complete (which requires doing the feedback survey) and have paid the full course fee, please contact Keith at (613) 297-5302 to organize the driving lesson component.
BDE: IN-VEHICLE
When are the in-vehicle lessons scheduled?
Once students are 100% complete their eLearning and the final payment has been made, in-vehicle lessons may be scheduled. The driving instructor will work with the student/parent to find times that are convenient, keeping in mind the importance of varying times of day to experience different traffic patterns and light conditions.
Where do I get picked up and dropped off?
Students will be picked up and dropped off at the high school under which we register them.
Can students use their own vehicle or their parent’s vehicle for their lessons?
Driving lessons will be given in the instructor’s company vehicle, which comes equipped with a dual brake.
Can students have their driving lessons in a vehicle with manual transmission?
We teach our BDE students on automatic vehicles. Teaching the basic BDE course in a vehicle with a manual transmission involves too much time spent focusing on gears, clutch and friction point rather than on important life-saving skills. Any of our graduates are welcome to purchase an additional 2-hour lesson on standard shift; we recommend that a parent or spouse observe the lesson so they can help the student practice what was taught.
What type of vehicle do your instructors use?
Most of our driving instructors use Toyota Corollas or similar compact sedans.
Do students need to bring their G1 to every lesson?
Yes, the law requires any G1 driver to have their official G1 licence with them during their driving lessons and any time they are practicing between lessons. A photo on a cell phone, a photocopy, or any other likeness cannot be substituted.
Why do you require a photo of the student’s Driver's Licence?
Students are required to show their driving instructor their G1 licence to begin each of their lessons. In addition, the administrative office needs a photo of the front of the G1 for the student’s file in order to be able to electronically certify the student with the MTO once the student successfully completes their BDE course. The G1 photo can be sent to our email address or by text to Keith.
What if a student needs to miss an in-vehicle lesson? What is your cancellation policy?
Students who need to miss or reschedule a driving lesson should notify their driving instructor at least 24 hours prior to the lesson. If this isn’t possible, the cancellation fee is $50, to be paid to the instructor on or before the next lesson.
Can a parent/spouse accompany a student for their driving lesson?
Yes, if the student feels comfortable with a parent/spouse observing, this may be helpful for the student’s practice sessions between lessons as the parent/spouse can help reinforce what/how the student was taught.
How are G1 drivers able to get freeway/expressway experience?
G1 drivers can gain experience on these roadways only when accompanied by a driving instructor licenced in the province of Ontario.
Will the driving lessons included in the course be enough? What if more lessons are needed?
The MTO requires a minimum of 10 hours of in-vehicle instruction. In order to be successful, students are strongly encouraged to practice between lessons with their driving mentor(s), i.e., a G-licensed driver with at least four years of driving experience. Students/parents who think more lessons would be of benefit can purchase road test prep and/or custom lessons.
Some students are anxious when it comes to driving. Can you help?
Yes, this is one of our areas of expertise.
Can a specific instructor be requested?
Yes, and we will try to accommodate such requests based on the instructor’s geographical location and availability.
BDE: Finishing Up
Is a certificate issued when the BDE course is completed?
The MTO no longer issues paper certificates for successful BDE completion; instead, when students successfully complete their BDE course, they are electronically certified with the MTO.
How are students certified with the MTO? How long does it take?
Once students have: completed/passed their eLearning component and their in-vehicle lessons; paid in full; and provided a photo of their G1, we can certify them electronically with the MTO. This process is usually complete within 7 business days. Students will be notified via text once they are certified. Until students are certified, they will not be able to book their G2 road test within the 8-12 month window (after the issue of their G1) that successfully completing a BDE course allows.
Which auto insurance companies give discounts for successful completion of a BDE course?
Because individual insurance company policies and practices change, students/parents should contact their insurance provider to find out whether a discount is given and what the discounted rate would be.
What is a Driver Licence History (DLH) and what is it used for? Can a DLH be ordered online?
A DLH is a government-issued document with information about a driver and their driver’s licence, including Ontario BDE course completion. The DLH is the only government-issued document that shows BDE course completion; therefore it is the only document accepted by insurance companies that participate in auto insurance discounts for successful BDE course completion.
While it appears that a DLH can be ordered online, our experience is that students invariably receive the wrong document (a 3-year driver record/driver’s abstract). To avoid this frustration and wasted fee, we advise students to go in person to a Service Ontario office —another person is not permitted to do this on behalf of the student (even with a letter of permission). When students go to Service Ontario to obtain their DLH, they will need to take their G1 and the $12 fee. Please note that a DLH is not required to book the G2 road test.
BDE: ROAD TESTS
What vehicle should a student use for the road test? Can one of your driving school vehicles be used?
Students may use their own vehicle or their family’s vehicle for the road test. If a student is a graduate of our BDE course, they are welcome to purchase a warm-up lesson and the use of one of our company vehicles for the road test. Please see our road test prep packages for details.
Do you book the student’s G2 road test? How do students/parents book the road test? How much does it cost to book a G2 road test?
We don’t book the G2 road tests but will help troubleshoot if there are any questions. The easiest way to book the road test is to go to https://drivetest.ca/ --this is the only legitimate online booking website. G1 licence holders have already prepaid for the first road test to acquire their G2 licence so beware of bogus pop-ups or websites that would charge a fee to book the G2 road test.
What if a student isn’t ready for their scheduled road test or is unable to attend?
A scheduled road test may be cancelled or rescheduled at https://drivetest.ca/ at least 48 hours before the test. If less than 48 hours notice is provided, the road test fee will be lost.
General
Payment
What methods of payment do you accept?
We accept e-transfers. We also accept Visa, Mastercard and Debit (there is a 3% surcharge for these payment methods). For our BDE course, we offer a split-payment option so the course fee can be paid in two equal instalments (one up-front at initial registration and the remainder when the student is ready to begin in-vehicle lessons).
What if a third-party agency is covering the cost of a student’s BDE course?
The student/parent should notify us and ask the third-party agency to contact us so that we can send an invoice.
Do you have a refund policy?
For the BDE course, a fee of $50 will be charged for any refunds. Refunds will be considered within 30 days of online registration and when less than 25% of the eLearning has been completed.
Are gift certificates available?
Yes, please contact us.
Questions and Concerns
Who should I contact if my questions aren’t answered in your FAQs?
Please call/text Keith at (613) 297-5302 or email Barb at info@omnilateral.ca
Who should I contact if I have any concerns about an Omni-Lateral service?
Please call/text Keith at (613) 297-5302.