Supervised practice and driver education in Prince Edward Island

By the end of this topic you can

• You can check whether someone is qualified to supervise you.
• You can apply the Stage 1 passenger and night rules.
• You can compare the Novice Driver Course route with driver education.
• You can plan practice that covers the skills the road test checks.

What you need to know and understand

• Your accompanying driver must be fully licensed, have held a licence for at least four years, hold the right class and sit beside you.
• Their blood alcohol must be under 50 mg in 100 mL of blood, and they must not be impaired by drugs.
• Only you and the accompanying driver may sit in the front. Back-seat passengers must be the accompanying driver's immediate family.
• With a licensed driving instructor during an approved driver education course, up to four passengers can ride, not counting the instructor.
• If you are not in driver education, you must complete the Novice Driver Course before you can take a road test.
• Completing driver education in PEI cuts the wait before the road test from 365 days to 275 days.

Who can sit beside you

A parent, relative or friend can supervise only if they meet every condition. A driver who is still in GDL cannot, because they are not fully licensed. A licensed driving instructor also qualifies. Police may ask to see your accompanying driver's licence, so they should carry it.

• Fully licensed, not in any GDL stage.
• Licensed for at least four years in PEI or elsewhere.
• Holds a licence class that covers the vehicle you are driving.
• Under 50 mg of alcohol in 100 mL of blood and not impaired by drugs.

Two routes before the road test

• Novice Driver Course: run by Highway Safety for permit holders not in driver education. It covers the GDL program, demerit points, impaired driving under the Criminal Code, alcohol and drug education, and handling certain driving conditions. It takes a few hours, usually over two sessions. Register in advance through a Highway Safety or Access PEI office and bring your permit to the first class. Waiting time: 365 days.
• Driver education: a licensed program with classroom and in-car instruction. The classroom part covers the Novice Driver Course material. The driving school conducts your permit tests and your road test unless Highway Safety selects you for its own evaluation. Waiting time: 275 days.

Making practice count

The PEI rules set a minimum time on the permit, so use that time well. Build up from quiet streets to busier roads, highways and roundabouts, and practise in rain, at dusk and in winter conditions. If you are under 21, finish night practice before 1 a.m. The road test checks starting, stopping, turning, parking, signs and signals, intersections, hazard anticipation and your attitude to others, so practise each one.

Common mistakes

• Letting an older sibling who passed last year supervise. They must have held a full licence for four years.
• Picking up your own friends on the way home. Only the accompanying driver's immediate family can ride along.
• Assuming time on the permit is enough. You still need the Novice Driver Course or driver education.
• Practising only in good weather. Island winters and rural roads need real practice.

Test yourself: Supervised practice and driver education in Prince Edward Island

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.