AUTOZ Driving School in Ottawa offers four main programs: a Ministry-approved BDE course for new drivers, private G2 lessons, private G lessons, and a road test package that includes a warm-up lesson and the use of our car on test day. Every in-car lesson is one-on-one in an automatic car, and all prices below are listed before HST. The right program depends on where you are in Ontario’s licensing system and how much driving you have already done.
Start with where you are in Ontario’s licensing system
Ontario uses graduated licensing with three stages. You get your G1 after passing the knowledge test, move to a G2 after passing your first road test, and earn your full G after passing the second road test. Each stage has its own conditions. Waiting periods, fees and restrictions are set by the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and can change, so confirm the current rules on ontario.ca or with DriveTest before you book anything.
Once you know your stage, the choice gets much simpler:
- Brand new G1 driver: the BDE course is usually the best place to start.
- G1 driver with some practice already: private G2 lessons fill the gaps before your first road test.
- G2 driver getting ready for the G: private G lessons focus on highway driving and the extra skills the G test looks for.
- Anyone with a test date booked: the road test package gives you a warm-up and a car to take the test in.
BDE course: the complete program for new drivers
Our Beginner Driver Education (BDE) course is Ministry-approved and costs $650 plus HST. The theory part is online, so you work through it at your own pace from home, on a phone or laptop, whenever it suits your schedule. The practical part is 10 hours of in-car training with a certified instructor.
The biggest benefit is time. With a completed BDE course, you can take your G2 road test after 8 months on your G1 instead of 12. For a student who wants to drive to a summer job or a college placement, those four months can make a real difference.
Completing BDE may also lower your insurance premium. Discounts vary by insurer and by policy, so call your insurance company and ask what a BDE certificate is worth for you before you count on a specific amount.
BDE suits teens with a fresh G1, adults who have never driven, and anyone who would rather follow a structured program from the first lesson than put one together piece by piece. Full details are on the BDE online course page.
Private G2 lessons: focused practice before your first road test
Private G2 lessons are one-on-one sessions built around what you actually need. If parallel parking still makes you sweat, or you hesitate at a four-way stop when two cars arrive at once, that is where the lesson goes. Many learners book them alongside practice with a parent, because an instructor spots habits that family members either miss or do not know how to fix.
G2 lesson prices, plus HST:
- 1 hour: $60
- 1.5 hours: $90
- 2 hours: $120
- 4 hours: $240
- 6 hours: $350
- 8 hours: $460
- 10 hours: $550
A single hour works well as a check-in to see where you stand. Larger packages cost less per hour and give you room to work on several skills over a few weeks. A typical G2 plan covers smooth starts and stops, lane changes with proper mirror and blind spot checks, right-of-way at intersections, residential and school zones, and the parking manoeuvres the test can include. See the G2 lessons page for more.
Private G lessons: highway skills and your full licence
The G road test asks more of you than the G2. Expect highway driving, merging at speed, lane changes in heavier traffic, and a closer look at how you handle more complex situations. In Ottawa, that usually means getting comfortable on Highway 417 (the Queensway), where some on-ramps are short and traffic moves quickly.
G lesson prices, plus HST:
- 1 hour: $70
- 1.5 hours: $105
- 2 hours: $140
- 4 hours: $280
- 6 hours: $400
- 8 hours: $540
- 10 hours: $660
G lessons suit G2 drivers who mostly drive locally and rarely use the highway, drivers whose habits have slipped since their first test, and newcomers to Canada who already drive well but need to learn Ontario’s rules and test expectations. If you hold a licence from another country, check ontario.ca to see how your previous experience may count, then use lessons to adjust to local roads and rules. Details are on the G lessons page.
Road test package: warm-up lesson and a car for test day
Booking a road test is one thing. Arriving calm, in a car you know, is another. Our road test package costs $150 plus HST for the G2 and $170 plus HST for the G. It includes a 1-hour warm-up lesson right before your test and the use of the AUTOZ car for the test itself.
The warm-up is not a cram session. It is a chance to settle your nerves, run through a few manoeuvres and drive near the test area so the roads feel familiar. Ottawa has DriveTest centres on Walkley Road and Canotek Road, and the streets around each one have their own mix of intersections, speed changes and traffic.
The package is a good fit if you do not have access to a suitable car, if you learned in a different car and want a familiar one on test day, or if you simply want a short, focused session first. More information is on the road test and car page.
How lessons work at AUTOZ
Every in-car lesson is one-on-one, in an automatic car, and our cars include a Tesla. An automatic lets you put your attention on steering, observation and decisions instead of a clutch pedal. We teach on weekdays and weekends. We are open 24/7, 7 days a week.
You can compare everything side by side on the programs and prices page, then pay by card online or by Interac e-Transfer. If you want to hear from other learners first, we have +230 Google reviews, and you can read some of them on our reviews page. Answers to common questions about booking and test day are on our FAQ page.
Frequently asked questions
Which AUTOZ program should I start with?
If you just got your G1 and have little or no driving experience, start with the BDE course. If you have been practising and your G2 test is a few weeks away, private G2 lessons are usually enough. If you already have your G2 and want your full licence, choose G lessons.
Do the prices include tax?
No. All prices listed here are before HST. Prices can change over time, so check the programs page for the current numbers before you book.
Can I learn to drive in a Tesla?
Yes. We teach in automatic cars, and one of them is a Tesla. If you are curious whether that makes learning easier, we look at it in our article on learning to drive in a Tesla.
Do I need the road test package if I have my own car?
No, it is optional. You can take the test in your own car if it meets DriveTest’s requirements, which you should check before test day. Many learners still book the package for the warm-up lesson and the familiar car.
Not sure which program fits you? Send us a message on WhatsApp or call 613-884-1705 and we will help you pick, or go straight to booking online when you are ready.
