Backroads Defensive Driving Academy
Defensive driving on backroads is essential training for every Canadian behind the wheel. Why? Because backroads expose you to the toughest real-world conditions: blind corners, uneven surfaces, surprise obstacles, changing grip levels. If you can handle that, you can handle anything — from icy on-ramps in January to sudden brake lights on your daily commute.
This course builds instinctive, adaptable drivers. The kind of driver who reacts early, stays calm, and keeps themselves (and others) safe — whether they’re navigating cottage country or the 401 during rush hour.
This is the kind of defensive driving training that prepares you for anything.
This course focuses on skills that help avoid accidents and save lives on the challenging Ontario backroads. As an added bonus students get to take in some of the breathtaking scenery that Ontario has to offer. This course is offered as a day long group package which can be added on after our City Driving Fundamentals level three package or simply be taken on its own. You can take this course as many times as you would like as there is something new to learn each time and we constantly use different roads for a new experience.
What Is Included?
Students start with an hour long safety briefing, which covers the fundamentals of defensive driving and the concepts that will be taught throughout the course. The course then proceeds as a 6-8 hour driving experience, where vehicles drive in convoy. Don’t worry Kenetic Drive provides wireless radios so you have constant communication with our instructors. Instructors constantly rotate between vehicles in the convoy, in 30-40 minute shifts, to ensure that each student receives their share of one-on-one coaching.
Safety is our top priority, as such there will be ample rest, fuel and food stops throughout the day to ensure that drivers are well rested and attentive. This is a great opportunity for pictures and to interact with other drivers on the course.
When and Where?
This course and the roads it uses are tailored to your driving skill and experience. Reach out to our team and we will find a time and location that suits your driving goals. Please note that the best driving roads can be located a few hours from downtown Toronto, see the Public Roads section of our Training Venues tab for more information. Our team can also help you find a hotel close to the training location, showing up this training well rested is key to a safe and fun experience.
What Do I Need?
This course is conducted on public roads, so drivers must possess a valid drivers license, a road legal vehicle with insurance and must abide by all laws and bylaws at all times. Students are recommended to use their own daily drivers so they are comfortable with the vehicle they will be driving. While almost any vehicle is acceptable, the course does use a mix of tarmac and gravel roads, as such lowered or modified vehicles are not recommended.
Should I Prepare Beforehand?
No advanced training is required prior to taking this course. However, students are provided with a steering and seating tutorial prior to the start of the course. It is highly recommended that students review this material and practice in an empty parking lot prior to the start of the course. Any practice you do before will only benefit your training experience on the day of the course. Optional, but strongly recommended.