You will learn how to handle a manual shift car for maximum control, economy and driving enjoyment...

There are many ways to drive a manual shift car (often referred to as a "standard" or a "stick shift"). Few drivers do it right, causing unnecessary wear and tear. It's not just avoiding stalls; many simple actions, if performed incorrectly, needlessly, or at the wrong time, can significantly shorten the useful life of key components, increase fuel consumption, and make driving a standard car cumbersome and even unsafe.

With ProShift, you will learn to drive your car as it was engineered to be driven. Some "old fashioned" techniques can cause damage or loss of control - you want to make sure your driving is well adapted to your car's modern features. With ProShift, you will develop life-long habits that result in less wear and tear, better fuel economy, better control, and a more relaxed, more enjoyable driving experience. Don’t just learn to drive standard, learn how to do it right!

ProShift is NOT like other driving schools; their focus is on new driver education and road test preparation, ProShift specializes exclusively in manual shift training - good, knowledgeable manual shift training. And a word of warning - most of what you find online is either wrong, incomplete, or downright dangerous.

Whether you need to learn to drive standard from scratch, or wish to improve, you want a professional with the experience, the expertise, the mechanical know-how (and the patience) to guide you along and help you reach your goal. You can also be assured of courteous, attentive personal service in a properly equipped vehicle. My aim is to make sure you get your money's worth - and a little more...

ProShift is a one-person operation - you deal with me exclusively, from beginning to end.

JC

Advanced/performance driving lessons have been discontinued.

Instead, I recommend purchasing a copy of my book where the most common advanced techniques are described in detail, along with exercises so you can hone your skills one step at a time.

NOTICE re. the Manual Road Test: In my opinion, the requirements for the Manual Road Test in Ontario are clearly outdated and unfair to manual shift drivers. Driving a modern car following the Ministry's current guidelines can not only be dangerous, it will cause excess wear to key components and could even seriously damage your car * (note that you will likely be disqualified if you don't follow their guidelines). So, until those requirements are changed, I strongly advise against taking the Test on a manual (unless you already drive "the old fashioned way"). Try to borrow or rent an automatic, or arrange to use an instructor's vehicle from another driving school (most have "road test packages" that include a preparation lesson and use of the car for the RT). If you still want to use your own (manual shift) car for the Test, here are the guidelines you must follow to satisfy the Ministry's requirements. Please understand that you will have to drive incorrectly in order to pass the test. After your test, for your own safety and to avoid excessive wear/damage to your car, you may wish to take a lesson with ProShift to ensure you revert to correct manual shift driving techniques.

Until the Ontario Ministry's road test guidelines for manual shift are brought up to date, ProShift will not provide Road Test Preparation lessons.

* Why I don’t recommend taking the Ontario road tests on manual

As for the other (general) road test requirements, be sure to read the "Road Test" section of your Official Driver's Handbook, and if possible, take one or two road test preparation lessons (in an automatic) with a reputable registered driving school.

Is your car suitable for the Road Test?
Your car must meet the Ministry's minimum standards or they will refuse to take you on the test: no cracks in the windshield wiper area; both wipers must wipe properly (if raining) and the windshield washer system must work (winter); headlights must be ok if conditions require them; signal lights, brake lights, horn, and parking brake must work; license plate must have valid sticker; doors must close properly; no engine warning light that stays on; no leaking muffler, worn out tires, holes in the body, frayed or malfunctioning seat belts (in the front); etc... If you don't think your car will be acceptable, then you can use a school car (see below). Oh, and remove those nick-nacks hanging from the rear view mirror, and turn off the radio and your cell phone.

Use of school vehicle for the road test:
Sorry, ProShift vehicles are not available for use on the road test. If you don't have access to a car, I suggest you contact any driving school and arrange to do the test with one of their instructors' (automatic) car. You will normally be required to take at least one evaluation/preparation lesson with that instructor prior to your Road Test.


Road Test - Information and Bookings: DriveTest

Licensing Information: Ministry of Transportation