Manitoba Public Insurance is reminding high school students about significant changes to its Driver Education program.
As part of the new and improved program, students must now register with an Autopac agent between now and August for classes that start in September. Schools and instructors no longer accept registration or collect payment for Driver Education courses.
“The new process was implemented last year,” said Ted Hlynsky, Vice-President, Claims Control & Safety Operations, Manitoba Public Insurance.
“We know that the start of a new school year is a very busy time for the program and that’s why it’s important for students to visit their nearest Autopac agent over the summer to register. Our high school Driver Education program has a proud history of helping prepare young Manitoba drivers for the road.”
Driver Education courses are taught by approximately 300 instructors at 170 high schools across Manitoba.
“A full list of Driver Education courses are posted on the Manitoba Public Insurance website,” said Hlynsky. “Students have access to a wide range of start dates and locations. They’re also able to find out immediately if the course they wish to take is full.”
The Driver Education program is open to all students who attend a Manitoba high school on a full-time basis. Home-schooled students are also eligible.
The cost of Manitoba Public Insurance’s Driver Education Program is $50, and includes 34 hours of classroom instruction, eight hours of driving and eight hours of in-car observation. Students must be at least 15.5 years of age to qualify for a learner’s permit under the program.
The course covers topics such as basic driving skills, rules of the road, novice drivers’ risk assessment, impaired driving consequences, defensive driving, winter challenges and gravel road driving.
