learn wrong information
	pick up unsafe habits, or
	gain a false sense of confidence of your knowledge and/or ability

You may wish to discuss the advantages of taking professional driver training with the person(s) who will be your qualified supervisor (i.e., parent).

The Advantages of Taking Professional Driver Training

	Qualified instructors can provide more objective instruction
	An experienced instructor can offer advice on making the most of the practice driving time that you spend with a qualified supervisor
	Professional instructors can work with the qualified supervisor to coordinate training to ensure practice time is effective
	A professional instructor has a current understanding of traffic laws and can help you understand how the rules apply to a variety of driving situations which will prepare you for an everchanging traffic/driving environment
	Professional Instructors can evaluate your abilities, help target areas needing improvement, provide written summaries that you can take home to review with your qualified supervisor, and help you work on and improve those areas
	A structured driver training program gradually builds a learner's driving skills by first introducing basic driving concepts and manoeuvers, then moving on to more complex driving situations when the learner is ready; this leads to success
	Classroom training provides an opportunity for trainees to explore attitudes and behaviours and share experiences with others. It also encourages trainees to think about the choices they make and the impacts of those choices
	Professional driver training can help students link knowledge, skills, and attitudes to become safe, responsible and thinking drivers
	Taking driver training at a licensed driver training school can offer greater access to community services and information relating to driver training (e.g., guest speakers (police, ambulance, victims), salvage yards, hospital visits, etc.)
	Receiving comprehensive driver instruction can help you prepare for the road test and to maintain safe driving behaviours for a life time (e.g., learn good techniques/habits from the beginning and the importance of using them consistently)
	Professional driver training allows you to learn, practice and gain the necessary experience in a lower risk environment (e.g., exploring situations in the classroom or a controlled environment (i.e., dual brake vehicle with a professional instructor trained to ensure student's safety))
	Taking driver training at a licensed driver training school allows access to a mechanically fit vehicle
	For those pursuing a commercial licence, in most cases people have no other means to learn how to operate a commercial vehicle except through a licensed driver training school

Taking an ICBC-Approved Driver Education Course

An option is available for new drivers pursuing a class 7 (passenger vehicle) or 8 (motorcycle) driver's licence to take an ICBC-Approved Driver Education Course.

Although all British Columbia Driver Training Schools must be licensed by ICBC in order to operate, not all schools providing passenger or motorcycle training offer an ICBC-Approved Driver Education Course.

For further details and benefits of taking approved driver training, refer to the page Taking an ICBC-Approved Driver Education Course.

Commercial Vehicle Driver Education

In most cases, those pursuing a commercial vehicle licence have no other means to learn how to operate commercial vehicles except through a licensed driver training school.

How does one get commercial driver training?

	Licensed Driver Training School
	Community Colleges (Institutes)
	Companies who train their own employees

Air Brake Training

Commercial vehicles equipped with air brakes require the operator of these vehicles to have an air brake endorsement on his or her driver's licence.

To obtain an air brake endorsement, you must first complete an air brake training course, or provide proof of experience in order to obtain an exemption as noted below.

How does one get air brake driver training?

	Licensed Driver Training School
	Community Colleges (institutes)
	Companies who train their own employees

Exemption from the Training Course

You may be exempted from an air brake training course if you can provide proof of sufficient air brake experience. Contact a driver licensing office for more information.

It is highly recommended that even those with sufficient experience take an air brake course -- even experienced drivers learn more about air brakes by taking the course.

If you are exempt from the air brake training course, you will still need to pass the air brake knowledge and pre-trip inspections tests before you can obtain an air brake endorsement. See air brake endorsements for more information.

Heavy Duty Equipment Training (i.e., tractors, backhoes, bulldozers etc.)

Contact:

	Industry Training Authority
	BC Trucking Association