Driving instructors get green light to teach in rec centre parking lots in Brampton

Driving instructors and their students can now run lessons at select recreation centre parking lots in Brampton thanks to a temporary program that could become permanent addition to the city.

Brampton launched its new Driving Instruction Zones Pilot Project on Thursday, giving licensed driving instructors and school operators access to parking lots at six recreation centres.

The new program requires instructors and driving school operators to sign up with the city for a non-refundable $25 fee to access an online booking portal to book a 30-minute time slot between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Mondays through Fridays.

City council launched the one-year pilot project to give the more than 800 registered driving instructors and more than 75 schools in Brampton a place to teach after hearing about encounters with police while giving lessons at private parking lots.

“This initiative offers a controlled and safe environment for new drivers to hone their skills under the guidance of experienced instructors,” the city says of the new program. “Brampton’s recreation centre parking lots will provide an opportunity for practical learning.”

To reduce the risks to the public, the city says designated Driving Instruction Zones have been placed in areas of the parking lots “with the least amount of vehicle traffic.”

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The program sets a maximum of ten instructors and vehicles permitted per parking lot during each time slot.

A report to council found that while the city would not be liable for damages to other vehicles if a crash were to happen in a Driving Instruction Zone, victims would “almost certainly fault the City for allowing driving instruction at their recreational centres.”

“The City of Brampton may experience an increase in resident concerns and complaints related to driving school instruction and a potential increase in vehicle damage on city property, specifically at recreation facilities,” the report reads.

Driving instructors in Brampton obtain their licences through the Enforcement and By-law Services office.

Here are all the Brampton Recreation parking lots that now have driving instructor zones:

• Cassie Campbell Community Centre
• Century Gardens Recreation Centre
• Earnscliffe Recreation Centre
• Gore Meadows Community Centre
• Save Max Sports Centre
• Susan Fennell Sportsplex

Brampton’s Driving Instruction Zones Pilot Project will run for one year, at which time the program will be reviewed by the city to determine the next steps.