Driver training at rec centres gives students and teachers more places to practice in Brampton

Finding an empty stretch of road or parking lot where you can legally teach driving students has been a roadblock for instructors, leading the city to open select recreation centres to give learners a safe place to practice.

The pilot project launched in June and allows licensed driving school instructors and operators to book time at six Brampton Recreation centre parking lots for lessons “to offer a controlled and safe environment for new drivers to hone their skills.”

Brampton City Council heard earlier this year about instructors having integrations with police while teaching lessons, some of whom have been ticketed.

Prior to the pilot program, driving instructors were not permitted to use any city lots or private parking lots like those at grocery stores or shopping centres which require permission from the owner for instructor use.

The new one-year pilot allows Brampton’s more than 800 registered driving instructors to use the parking lots for a non-refundable $25 fee.

Bookings can be done online with instructors able to book a 30-minute time slot between 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. from Monday through Friday.

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

Driving instructors in Brampton are required to obtain their licences through the city’s Enforcement and By-law Services office.

Because the courses will be running during operational hours, a maximum of ten instructors and vehicles are permitted per parking lot at one time slot for public safety.

As for rec centre visitors, the city says any damage to personal vehicles would fall under Ontario’s no-fault automobile insurance rules and “the patron must seek repairs through their own auto insurer” if a driving school vehicle damages their vehicles.

The city says the pilot project will run for one year and will be reviewed in 2025 “to determine next steps.”

​​Driving instructors and students can learn more about the program and reserve spots by visiting www.Brampton.ca.