Aaron Sloan, Manager of Municipal Law Enforcement, outlined options to address concerns about driving school operations in Kawartha Lakes. While driving schools and instructors are regulated by the province, the City of Kawartha Lakes does not currently license them or manage local training routes.

Staff evaluated provincial regulatory frameworks, legislative and regulatory considerations, operational and financial impacts, and results of a public survey. The survey was conducted on Jump In, Kawartha Lakes, and found that nearly 79% of respondents supported municipal regulation. The main concerns were traffic congestion, safety, repeated use of residential streets and accountability.

The staff report recommends creating a licensing program for driving school businesses, instructors and vehicles. This would include requirements related to insurance, qualifications, vehicle identification and where or when training occurs.

Council asked staff to develop a business case and licencing program to regulate driving school operations. Staff will report back to council by the end of June 2027 (Q2).

Read the Driving School – Enforcement Options Report or watch the discussion in Council on YouTube at the 1:40:15 mark.