Ethan BrownIt’s high time you learned the answer to that classic question: “What do you hit if you see a grandpa and a kid crossing the street?” Before you start debating about who’s had more time on this Earth, you should hit the BRAKES!
If you’ve been putting off learning to drive because the road feels intimidating (or public transit is just too convenient), you’re not alone. But when you’re ready to take the wheel and go on trips, choosing the right driving school can make all the difference.
Luckily, Ottawa has some great options, with patient instructors, flexible scheduling, and courses that make learning to drive less scary. We’ve reviewed the best ones so you can confidently choose the right school and get on the road!
| How much do driving school lessons cost in Ottawa? On average, driving school costs in Ottawa range from $40-$50 for a 1-hour session to $80-$100 for a 2-hour session. Longer courses, like a 6-hour course, cost $250-$350, while a 10-hour course is $400-$500.A 20-hour course, which includes a car for a 2-hour road test, costs $600-$1500. The MTO certified driver’s education program, including a workbook and certification, is priced at $600-$1200. |
How We Chose The Best Driving Schools in Ottawa
1. Kruzee Driving School
Address: 104 Crockford Blvd Scarborough
Phone: +1 (866) 245-3103 / [email protected]
Business hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9 AM – 6 PM
If you want to learn how to drive without the usual stress, Kruzee Driving School could be your best bet. What sets Kruzee apart from other schools is its convenience—you can book lessons and track your progress online!
With them, you can easily book lessons online and see the assigned instructor. Plus, they offer free pickup and dropoff, so no worries about commuting.
We must note, though, that it’s not that easy to choose an instructor (if you have preferences) since you’re paired with one depending on your area and schedule. Nonetheless, Kruzee’s customer service is responsive and helpful if you have any concerns.
Overall, the scheduling tool is a big win for students who need flexibility, and the fact that you can complete the in-class theory portion online is a real time-saver.
Kruzee’s user-friendly, digital-first approach has been recognized by major publications like the Toronto Star, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, CityNews, and Financial Post. They’re also accredited by the BBB and have solid ratings!
They offer three pricing options: Practice Lessons at $65 per hour, a Base BDE package for $695, and a Road Test Vehicle package for $245. You can check out what’s included in each package on their website.
With Kruzee, driving lessons feel simpler, more flexible, and definitely more convenient.
Passed G2 on the first try
“10/10 would recommend Steev as a driving instructor. I passed my G2 exam on the first try! He was a wonderful instructor and took the time to make me feel at ease while driving and before my test. He is a great instructor!”
-Amanda R, Google Review
Great with nervous drivers
“Jason Ho is THE guy you want as your instructor, especially if the idea of driving in Toronto makes you nervous like I was before my first lesson. He’s patient, encouraging, and kind – all the qualities you want in someone you’ll spend hours in traffic with! Passed my G at Downsview and couldn’t thank him enough for all the support. Also, the overall experience with Kruzee was amazing: hassle-free online booking and superb customer service!”
-Tatiane de Sousa, Google Review
2. Let’s Go Driving School
Address: 1390 Prince of Wales Dr Unit 508
Phone: +1 613-890-8833
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Let’s Go Driving School is a great option for students in Ottawa, especially if you’re after a Ministry-Approved Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course. This approval means they meet high standards, which is exactly what you want when learning a skill as important as driving.
One of the advantages of Let’s Go is its online courses, which are perfect if you prefer to learn the theory side of driving from home. The private in-car lessons, combined with their well-equipped classrooms, make for a well-rounded experience.
From what we’ve heard, their instructors are patient, especially with anxious students, and they provide clear guidelines to help you prepare for the exam.
On the downside, their courses tend to fill up quickly. Although it’s easy to book once you’re in the system, you’ll want to act fast to secure your preferred schedule.
Overall, Let’s Go Driving School offers reliable instruction with flexible scheduling options, making it a strong choice for new drivers in Ottawa.
Patient and accommodating instructor
“I have passed my G2 exam in first attempt and truly enjoyed experience of learning with my instructor Hind. She is very patient and provided me all the guidelines for the exam. She was also very flexible with scheduling driving lesson.”
-Chowdhury Saleha Ferdowsy, Google Review
Excellent refresher sessions
“Took a private lesson for 2 hours as a refresher session (converting a foreign license to Ontarian) and rented a car from them for the full G-license driving test. Nedal is a great instructor, and the session was insightful! Totally recommend for foreigners who are trying to make sure they’ll pass the license conversion test!”
-Rheza Adizora, Google Review
3. Driving School/ Ottawa Safe Drivers
Address: 2444 St Joseph Blvd
Phone: +1 613-400-7071
Business hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Ottawa Safe Drivers offers a comprehensive learning experience with Ministry of Transportation approval, ensuring that their courses meet government standards. Their home pickup and drop-off service is a nice perk, saving students the hassle of arranging transportation to and from lessons.
Another highlight is their online self-study course for theory lessons. This allows you to learn at your own pace, perfect for those with busy or unpredictable schedules.
Their preparation for G2 and G road tests is also commendable, offering rental vehicles to ensure you have a reliable car on test day, which can help alleviate stress.
While their services are strong, the pricing might be a concern for some. Ottawa Safe Drivers charges $60 per hour for private lessons, which is slightly higher than the typical range of $40-$50 in Ottawa.
Nonetheless, if convenience and quality instruction are your priorities, the extra cost may be worth it. They also offer courses in multiple languages, a great feature if English isn’t your first language.
Constructive, caring and calm
“My driving instructor, Fahim, has been phenomenal. His teaching style is constructive, caring, and calm, which made learning to drive a breeze. He thoroughly covered all aspects of driving, including safety, rules of the road, and car handling. Thanks to his excellent guidance, I passed my G2 on the first try. Highly recommended!”
-Dany S, Google Review
Extremely kind and patient
“Jubouri was extremely kind and patient. I started off with little to no knowledge or experience then after a few hours of lessons I was able to pass my g2 test. I would highly recommend Ottawa Safe Drivers!”
–Mady Martel, Google Review
4. Allpros-Drivers-Ed.com
Address: 569 McArthur Ave.
Phone: +1 613-747-0089
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 9 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM
Allpros-Drivers-Ed.com has a great reputation, with 90% of students passing the driving test on their first try, showing effective courses. Plus, with over 15,000 students successfully getting their licenses through them, it’s clear that their instructors are experienced and reliable.
We like that they offer courses in both English and French, making them accessible to a wider community.
It’s also worth noting that they can cater to busy professionals by providing evening and weekend classes. Whether you’re a student or a working adult, this flexibility is a lifesaver.
On top of that, they offer special lessons like automatic and standard transmission training, as well as senior-friendly courses.
However, they don’t offer pick-up and drop-off services. This could be inconvenient if you rely on public transportation or don’t have a way to get to the lessons.
But if you don’t mind making the trip, the quality of education at Allpros is worth considering.
Excellent instructor
“Philip is an amazing instructor, very professional! Felt very confident on the road with him, and he made sure I passed my G on the first try. Would recommend Philip to anyone looking for an excellent instructor”
-Mujtaba Hussain, Google Review
Patient and supportive teacher
“I had a great experience preparing for and passing the road test with All Pros. Philip is extremely patient, supportive, and a great teacher. As someone who was anxious when it came to driving, Philip helped me improve my driving skills while building my confidence on the road. I highly recommend this driving school. Thank you!”
-Daniela Veisman, Google Review
5. safe2pass driving school
Address: 1581 Bank St
Phone: +1 613-276-0456
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 AM – 6 PM
Safe2Pass offers Ministry- and MTO-approved BDE courses, ensuring high standards while making lessons both fun and engaging. Their flexible scheduling is a major plus, with evening and weekend classes available, ideal for students or working professionals with packed weekday schedules.
We also love that you have the option to choose female instructors, which can be especially comforting for women who prefer learning from female teachers.
And hats off to Safe2Pass for being known for its supportive environment, particularly for anxious students. Many have praised the instructors for their patience and ability to build confidence.
From our surveys, they provide clear, helpful guidance throughout lessons and willingly answer questions about real-world driving challenges.
But it’s quite a bummer that they don’t offer lessons with standard transmission vehicles, which might be a drawback for those wanting to learn manual driving.
Regardless, if you’re focused on automatic driving and looking for a flexible and supportive school, Safe2Pass is a reliable pick.
Insightful lessons
“Great course. I chose the BDE in person learning course which was very helpful for me, especially as someone who never drove before. The in class lessons were really insightful and the use of diagrams made it more clear and easy for me to understand the techniques.”
-Hoshika Balloo, Google Review
Good experience with instructor
“I had a really good experience with safe2pass. Lina was an amazing instructor for my g2 prep, only practiced for 10 hours and passed the test on the first try and will train with her again for the g test. Highly recommend to anyone!”
-zaina luthon, Google Review
