Honourable Michael Currie, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, announced today the implementation of additional instructional requirements by commercial driver education schools on the Island.
The Minister said, "As of January 1, 2000, the province's eight licensed commercial driver education schools have increased the minimum number of "behind-the-wheel" hours from six (6) to ten (10) hours and have reduced the observation time from twelve (12) to six (6) hours."
With the new rules, the Driver Education Program now requires all schools to offer a minimum of: 25 hours of classroom instruction; conduct the knowledge test; 6 hours of observation time; 10 hours behind-the-wheel driving; conduct the road test.
The Minister added, "The increase in the minimum behind-the-wheel driving instruction will provide actual road instruction for the beginner driver and will bring us in line with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Programs, ensuring the PEI Driver Education Program is recognized in the Maritimes."
With the introduction of the changes on the Island, most driver education programs across the country now have a minimum requirement of 10 hours behind-the-wheel driving instruction. The Minister noted, however, that student drivers should extend their driver education training with additional driving experience.