Advocacy: Driving Progress, Ensuring Safety
At the NL Association of Professional Driving Schools (NL APDS), our mission extends far beyond the classroom and the driver’s seat. We serve as a unified, professional voice dedicated to shaping public policy, raising industry standards, and creating safer roads across Newfoundland and Labrador.
True road safety begins with accountable, high-quality driver education. To achieve our vision of "Safer Drivers. Stronger Communities," we actively advocate for reform across four critical pillars:
1. Elimination of Unlicensed & Unapproved "Driving Schools"
In Newfoundland and Labrador, a legitimate, approved driving school must be certified by the Government of NL to deliver the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program. This certification means the school has officially proven to the Motor Registration Division that they meet strict compliance standards, including:
Legitimacy: Operating as a legally registered business.
Certified Staff: Employing provincially certified instructors who hold a validated driver trainer endorsement on their commercial license.
Approved Curriculum: The school must demonstrate that the material being taught is compliant with the Highway Traffic Act NL and demonstrates a fundamental adherence to both the rules of the road and defensive driving practices.
Vehicle Safety: Utilizing vehicles specifically equipped and certified with proper instructor-side equipment (such as dual braking systems) for collision prevention.
Proper Protection: Carrying SEF 6D (Driver Training School) Insurance—the only insurance coverage that legally protects both individuals and businesses during driver training should a collision occur.
When underground, unlicensed operations misrepresent themselves as legitimate driving schools, public safety is severely compromised. These unapproved entities bypass government vetting, lack background checks, and operate without the mandatory SEF 6D insurance, leaving students completely unprotected in the event of a collision. There is an inherent danger in taking training from an unrecognized organization, as there is no oversight into what/how they are teaching.
Our Stance: We advocate for stricter enforcement, increased penalties, and proactive government oversight to identify and shut down rogue, unapproved operators.
The Goal: To protect consumers from predatory businesses and ensure that every dollar spent on driver education goes toward legitimate, accountable, and provincially approved training.
CHECK BEFORE YOU BUY!
NLAPDS recommends that all individuals refer to the APPROVED DRIVING SCHOOL LIST on https://www.gov.nl.ca/motorregistration/new-drivers/approved-driving-schools/ before enrolling/commencing training with an illegitimate entity.
2. Mandatory Instructor Training & Continuing Certification
A driving school is only as good as its instructors. Currently, there is an urgent need for standardized, rigorous, and ongoing training for the individuals tasked with teaching the next generation of drivers.
Our Stance: We campaign for the implementation of a modernized, mandatory Instructor Training Program, alongside regular re-certification processes.
The Goal: To guarantee that all instructors possess not just driving skills, but advanced pedagogical training, up-to-date knowledge of traffic laws, and a deep understanding of modern vehicle safety technologies.
3. Reinstating Requirements for Professional Driver Training
Learning to drive is a complex, high-risk life skill that shouldn't be left entirely to trial and error or informal practice. Relying solely on casual practice often reinforces bad habits and leaves critical safety gaps.
Our Stance: We are pushing for the reinstatement of formal, regulated professional driver training as a mandatory prerequisite for obtaining a driver’s license.
The Goal: To ensure every new driver receives structured, professional oversight, drastically reducing collision rates among novice drivers and fostering a culture of lifelong road safety.
4. Enhancing the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) Program
While the Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program has saved lives, traffic patterns, technology, and distractions have evolved significantly since its inception. The program needs to be modernized to reflect the realities of today's roads.
Our Stance: We advocate for comprehensive updates to the GDL framework. This includes introducing mandatory night-driving modules, stricter cell-phone/distraction penalties during the permit phases, and time-credit incentives for students who complete a certified, professional driver education course.
The Goal: To create a more robust, progressive system that better prepares new motorists for complex driving environments before they gain full licensing privileges.
Are you ready to support safer roads?
We believe that collaboration between professional educators, community members, and provincial policymakers is the key to reducing preventable tragedies on our highways.
Explore our resources, stay informed on our legislative efforts, or reach out to see how you can help us advocate for a safer Newfoundland and Labrador.