ProShift is different…

A few “regular” driving schools offer manual shift instruction "on the side" and often "on the cheap". It's important to keep in mind though that their specialty is in providing the Ministry of Transportation Beginner Driver Education Course – with emphasis on rules of the road and road test preparation; little or no attention is given to proper manual shift driving or teaching techniques. Their "manual shift" instructors generally teach the (outdated) techniques required by the Ministry for the Road Test* coupled with their own personal (often questionable) driving habits. The practical portion of the Ontario Training Course for instructors is done in an automatic vehicle and does not include any professional manual shift training or teaching techniques whatsoever, and the trainees are not tested for manual shift proficiency; yet, upon completion, they are licensed to teach on either automatic or manual! The end result is that, all too often, incorrect manual shift driving practices based on ignorance and misconceptions are inadvertently passed along to new drivers and the general public. This usually makes driving a standard car more difficult and cumbersome than it needs to be, and commonly results in excessive wear and/or potentially dangerous practices. Adding to the problem, their cars are not properly equipped to teach manual shift effectively and safely.  (If you're a new driver, or the parent of a new driver planning to take the Ministry-Approved Driver Education Course in a manual car, and you want to make sure he/she learns how to do it right, close this window and go to the "Beginner Driver Education Course" section for a sensible solution.)

ProShift specializes exclusively in manual shift instruction; knowledgeable manual shift instruction based on nearly two decades of training experience, a background in racing/rallying, hands-on mechanical knowhow, and extensive research, all leading to the writing of the CAA sponsored book "Driving a Manual Shift Car". As well, I'm a Ministry-licensed instructor with Canada Safety Council and Canadian Pro Drivers accreditation.
Don't waste your money! Don't settle for less... With ProShift, you will learn quicker, drive better and more confidently, reduce wear and tear on your vehicle, and improve fuel economy. You come out ahead on all counts! Note that similar instruction in Toronto (with Shifters) costs about 20% more than with ProShift (there's no comparable driving school in Ottawa).   JC

  * Warning: Some of the manual shift techniques required to pass the Ontario road tests are seriously outdated and will result in excessive wear, possible damage, and in some situations, may even cause loss of control when driving a modern vehicle.