Recreation centres earmarked for new Driving Instruction Zones program in Brampton

Plans are underway to give Brampton driving instructors space at city-run facilities to teach students the rules of the road.

The city is looking to kickstart a one-year pilot project allowing driving instructors to use specific city-owned parking lots for their classes.

With more than 800 registered driving school instructors in Brampton, the program would require driving instructors and operators to pay an annual $25 fee which could mean additional city revenue of $20,625 after program expenses.

Requests from instructors to use city property go back to at least 2022 according to a new report from city staff, and the pilot was proposed in August by Coun. Harkirat Singh and was approved by a committee of council on Wednesday.

If given the green light from council, Driving Instruction Zones would be set up at the Century Gardens Recreational Centre, Susan Fennell Sportsplex , Cassie Campbell Community Centre, Earnscliffe Recreational Centre, Save Max Sports Centre and the Gore Meadows Community Centre.

Singh said in the motion that many driving instructors have had encounters with police while giving lessons as private parking lots, like the ones at grocery stores or shopping centres, require permission from the owner for instructors to use and the Peel District School Board also prohibits lot use by driving instructors.

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The report 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” and may be placed in the position of reporting claims to their own insurers, for incidents which were not their fault.”

“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. The report will go to Brampton City Council for approval at a later date.