City Driving Fundamentals

Level One - The Basics is a full day course which focuses on the basics of seating, vision, footwork and car placement required for the following levels. These skills form the fundamentals for all of the following levels.

Note: Through our years of experience we have learned one thing. Due to a lack of proper training, the vast majority of Canadian drivers are not sitting properly behind the wheel of their vehicle, nor have they been taught the proper steering techniques.  

What Is Included?

The day is separated into two halves, morning and afternoon sessions. Each session starts with a brief classroom period, to introduce the techniques and the drills, followed by driving exercises. Don't worry the classrooms are short, our aim is to get each student as much seat time as possible! 

All Level One drills are conducted at one of our tarmac skid pads. Drills will teach you the basics in:

• Seating position.

• Steering technique, there is only one proper way to steer a vehicle, hand over hand!

• Braking in a straight line.

• Braking in corners. 

• Basic driving line theory, including vision. 

• Slalom

At the end of the day, instructors will set up a basic pylon course in order to bring together all of the previously practiced drills. In this drill each student is timed, which adds a fun factor to the experience, but also simulates various real world stress factors, which drivers may encounter. Remember, safety is the top priority so drivers are handed penalties for knocking over pylons. 

This level is completely on private property, no drivers licence is required, participants must be 16 years or older.

The Level Two - Take It To The Streets builds on the basic skills gained during level one and teaches students how to take these skills and apply them to real world situations. In this full day course on public roads students will learn how to safely navigate city streets, but also learn techniques which can save money on their vehicles maintenance.

What Is Included?

Students start with a brief morning classroom before driving one on one with a Kinetic Drive instructor on public roads. The classroom portion develops the vision skills covered in level one, and covers topics such as, escape routes, safe following distances, ‘what if’ scenarios. Students are then taken out on to the public roads where they can gain first hand experience in the previously covered techniques. Additionally, students will be taught how the “driving line” is the most economical way and safest way in order to navigate our city streets. This technique instills the fundamentals that allow you to save cost by saving on car maintenance, through, decreased tire and suspension wear, better fuel economy and avoiding those pesky accidents! As an added bonus this technique also makes it more comfortable for you and your passengers. 

A G1 or equivalent drivers license is required for this level.

In this full day course students will continue to build on their previous learning with a focus on highway driving and all weather conditions. Students will learn techniques in order to improve their smoothness and safety. Being smooth in our inputs is key to car control, safety and comfort, topics such as smooth highway speed lane changes are covered.

What Is Included?

This course has you in the drivers seat for the majority of the day. Students will practice their skills at highway speed (90+ km/h roads), as such a G2 or equivalent drivers license is required for this level. Students that wish to focus on backroads, i.e. those challenging roads on the way to your cottage, can also opt into our Backroads Defensive Driving course.  

Want to learn how to avoid a collision or regain control of your vehicle after it starts sliding? Check out our skid pad courses!