The Ontario government is temporarily modifying the G-level driving test to help reduce a backlog caused by COVID-19 restrictions and closures.
Spokeswoman, Dakota Brasier, for Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney says “DriveTest is modifying the G road test to offer more road test appointments each day while removing duplicate elements from the G2 test.”
Elements removed include parallel parking, three-point turns and roadside stops. The G2 road test remains unchanged.
Brasier adds that routes to and from testing centers will be altered to become more direct, allowing for more “streamlined tests.”
“Modifying G tests will increase the number of appointments open for booking and the amount of tests being completed while still maintaining Ontario’s road safety.”
Dave Tenhor is an automotive technology teacher from Arthur Voaden Secondary School in St. Thomas. Agreeing with the government’s decision to modify the G road test, Tenhor asks “how many people really parallel park anymore?”
“Parallel parking was a major stress factor for anybody, anytime doing a road test. It needs to be covered, yes. But do they need to do it multiple times? I don’t think so.”
“Today’s road system and vehicles are by far better than they were years ago when they first designed and put together the original requirements for road tests.”
However, head driving instructor for the Fanshawe Driving School, Zahir Ahmed disagrees. Arguing that the modifications made to the G-level driving test will result in an abundance of bad drivers.
“That is not the proper way to handle the problem. Taking away important elements from the road test, like parallel parking and three point turns, is going to bring more bad quality drivers. What they [Ontario government] did by dropping down the road test, that is not a solution.”
“There is a problem. But they’re trying to solve that problem by creating another problem.”
Tenhor, however, says he doesn’t see any safety concerns.
“If somebody doesn’t know how to do it, they’re not going to do it. They’re not going to create an unsafe situation. They’ll find an alternative so I don’t think it’s going to be unsafe.”
Ontario is further cracking down on unsafe and aggressive drivers
Penalties have gone up for those who receive suspensions for high-risk driving, including careless driving, street racing and speeding.
Learn more: https://t.co/RwoXcIhpfA pic.twitter.com/nWVCuFYFoL
— Ontario Ministry of Transportation (@ONtransport) January 12, 2022
Although Tenhor is in favour of the modified G-level driving test, he suggests that long time drivers should be tested and reevaluated on the rules of the road.
“The elderly have to go through a process to keep their license, to understand any updates and check their maneuverability in order to keep the road safe. But what about something for the in-between crowd?”
Ahmed suggests a similar process.
“I think, after a few years of having a full license, those drivers should take a refresher course to ensure that everything is up to date and ensure the quality of people using the roads.”
The Ministry of Transportation said that hundreds of thousands of driving tests have been canceled since the start of the pandemic in March 2020. The modified G-level driving test will remain in effect until March 31, 2022.
For more information on how to obtain a driver’s licence click here.
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