What Is an MTO-Approved Driving School?

The Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (MTO) operates a licensing program for driving schools. Schools that pass the MTO review are listed on the ministry's official registry and are authorized to teach the Beginner Driver Education curriculum. Approval is not permanent: schools must maintain standards, employ certified instructors, and keep vehicles properly maintained to remain on the approved list.

The practical reason to choose an MTO-approved school is the BDE certificate. Only an approved school can issue the official completion certificate that: reduces the G1-to-G2 waiting period from 12 months to 8 months, and is accepted by most insurance providers as proof of formal driver training (resulting in lower insurance premiums for new drivers). Non-approved schools may still teach driving skills, but their certificates carry no official weight with DriveTest or insurance companies.

You can verify any school's approval status by checking the MTO's official list of approved driving schools, available on the Ontario government website. Search by school name or city. If a school does not appear on the list, their BDE certificate will not be accepted by DriveTest.

To maintain MTO approval, driving schools must meet requirements in several areas.