The expression “you get what you pay for” can apply to varying degrees. And when it comes to driving schools, the repurcussions of buying cheap are quite serious.
According to the Driving School Association of Quebec (AECQ), too many of Montreal’s 170 driving schools are cutting corners to lower costs, leading to higher than normal failure rates among students, and drivers who have not been properly educated.
“Some people I would say think it's expensive,” said the AECQ’s general manager Marc Thompson. “But we're talking about having someone teach you how to survive on the road. There's a cost for quality, and we think it's time we take care of this problem.”
Some of the cheapest driving schools offer rates of $499, but don’t implement the full driving course, and employ non-certified instructors. As a result, Montreal has a 40 per cent failure rate for the SAAQ’s final driving exam.
Mr. Thompson believes the problem is systematic. The SAAQ and the Transport Association of Quebec (AQTR) are charged with regulating the driving school industry, ensuring they are operating up to standards. But according to the AECQ, because of insufficient funds and desire to regulate, schools are able to cut corners in order to offer the lowest possible price.
The AQTR is supposed to be monitoring the driving schools to ensure standards. If schools are found to be negligent, they are meant to be restructured, sanctioned, or even closed in some cases. But a lack of technology, funding and dedication prevents them from doing their job. The AQTR denied a request for interview.
The AECQ says they have ideas and plans that could help fix the problem. Five years ago they requested that the open market for driving schools be shut down, and that they rewrite the rulebook on how schools are opened and operated. But according to Mr. Thompson, the SAAQ have refused to listen.
“We only ask to be heard,” he said. “The SAAQ will probably be surprised by all the solutions we have. But we need to be consulted. It’s a closed channel of discussion.”
According to the SAAQ, the AECQ’s allegations are untrue. A spokesman for the government body said that over 700 checks were done on driving schools in 2017, and that they are performing well. According to him, 48 schools have been suspended or closed since 2010, and the SAAQ keeps an open line of communication with the AECQ.
-By Jacob Cohen