Course Policies & Terms

Please read these course policies carefully as they govern your use of the course. Please confirm that you have read the Course Code of Conduct and agree to abide by its terms and conditions. By checking “Agree” below, you agree to these terms and conditions prior to registration.
Students registered for the BDE Course must complete 20+10 hours of online digital instruction and 10 hours of In-car sessions. Completion Certificate will be issued only when the students have successfully completed the course achieving a passing grade of 70% in Online BDE Course as well as road test. All fees for BDE Course are non-refundable. Scheduled sppointments for in-car lessons must be cancelled at least 24 hours prior to scheduled time otherwise full payment for lesson will be charged. Students must complete the course successfully within 1 year of starting date. Students agree to protect the userId and password provided to them for online portion of the course.
  • You will have to repeat this course if you don’t complete all of the online modules, homework, and in-car lessons within one year (365 days). This MTO rule has no exceptions and this means paying for the course again.

Please acknowledge that the information you have provided in your registration is accurate, and that you consent to the release of your information to the Ministry of Transportation, Insurance Bureau of Canada, and the MTO Course Inspectors under the Privacy Policy.

Your school will have course policies concerning in-car lessons, refunds, etc. Please contact them directly for more information.

Course Syllabus
Course Objectives
The emphasis of this course is on interactive learning including participation, assessments including quizzes, homework assignments, group and individual work, as well as other online content.

The requirements for completion of this course are:

Full Attendance
Participation and performance
In-Car performance
Passing grades (70%) on all assessments and quizzes
This course is comprised of the following:

  • 20 Hours of Online Instruction
  • 10 Hours of Independent Homework through the online course
  • 10 Hours of In-Car Instruction
  • For 40 Total hours of instruction.

Course Assessment Policies

The course contains a variety of assessments. These are clearly marked as Quizzes or Tests, and require you to click “Start Quiz” to begin.

Assessments provide unlimited attempts to reach the 70% passing grade. At the end of each attempt, you will be presented with a list of questions that you got incorrect.

Each assessment is timed, at the end of the time limit, the assessment will be submitted automatically. If you log out of the course during an assessment, you will be brought back to the last question you answered.

All assessments are combined to calculate your final grade. The final grade is calculated as the total number of questions you answered correctly out of all questions. This grade must be 70% or higher to pass the course.

Course Structure
The course is broken down as follows:

2 Sections, one is the Main BDE Course, and one is the Homework
Each section is broken down as follows:

  • 8 Modules, one for each main topic in the course. The module names are the same in the Main BDE course and the Homework sections.
  • Each Module is broken down into lessons and assessments. Lessons are the pages you will navigate through.
  • Each lesson is timed and includes a variety of reading, activities and interactive activities.
  • To move through each lesson, you must complete all of the activities on the page and the timer must run out. Assessments occur in between lessons and are clearly marked in your navigation menu.

 

Intended Learning Outcomes

  • At the end of this course, each student will be able to Demonstrate the importance of traffic laws, as well as the repercussions and enforcement for breaking laws.
  • Identify the basis behind traffic laws, and some reasons for the laws to be in place.
  • Explain the importance of traffic control devices, as well as fundamental characteristics that allow for universal recognition.
  • Students will be exposed to various signage as well as traffic signals and will be able to recognize various signs and signals and be able to describe their function and usage.
  • Students will be exposed to various pavement markings and will be able to explain the importance of the markings, as well as safe passing zones.
  • Identify and explain the purpose of a variety of basic vehicle components including instruments and warning indicators, safety devices, control devices, etc.,
  • Explain the importance of pre-trip checks, including internal and external checks. Demonstrate a routine pre-trip checklist to ensure that controls and safety devices are properly adjusted prior to departure.
  • Recognize the importance of safety devices and be able to describe the settings for mirrors as well as hand placement on the steering wheel.
  • Describe the components that make up the communication, speed and visibility controls in the vehicle such as signals, pedals and windshield wipers.
  • Describe the instrument panel signs, comfort adjustments and anti-theft components in modern vehicles.
  • Students will be able to describe the many different methods of controlling the vehicle safely in a variety of conditions, as well as different maneuvers that can be used while driving.
  • Describe the steps involved in starting the vehicle, accelerating and braking safely.
  • Explain the importance of visual tracking while driving.
  • Recognize the differences between urban and rural driving as well as the different roads used in both.
  • Recognize and describe important concepts such as traction and friction as well as ways they might be able to use both for safe driving.
  • Explain different conditions that might affect driving such as weather as well as best practices to control skids.
  • Describe the differences between highway and city driving as well as recognize the components that make up a highway such as on/off ramps and one-way travel with higher speed limits.
  • Explain and demonstrate through scenarios many different driving manoeuvres including turns, passing, reversing direction and parking.
  • Describe and recognize how their attitude and behaviour can impact their driving.
  • Explain the main factors that can influence their driving as well as how they can impact driving.
  • Explain the different ways to assess their mental state before driving.
  • Describe the role of nerves and anxiety while driving and recognize coping methods for these emotions.
  • Explain road rage and aggressive driving and the consequences of these behaviours both in themselves and in other.
  • Describe how social pressures such as peer pressure and advertising affect their driving even unconsciously.
  • Recognize the importance of making good decisions on the road and how to make the best decision possible in different scenarios.
  • Recognize the importance of safe and responsible responses to a variety of emergency situations, as well as how to be a leader in promoting safe driving.
  • Explain the importance of being caring and empathetic to other road users.
  • Describe the environmental impact of driving a vehicle, and explain the importance of a variety of factors such as fuel efficiency and driving efficiency.
  • Recognize that driving is a lifelong learning process, and that there is always something new to learn.
  • Describe the importance of sharing the road with other road users including road users of abnormal size (such as bikes, pedestrians, trucks, etc.)
  • Explain the importance of cooperative driving, respecting others road users, passing safely, and the benefits that come from these cooperative actions.
  • Recognize cooperative communication with other road users, including good habits to get in to, and to consistently communicate with other road users.
  • Recognize the importance of operating space and how it plays a part of cooperative driving.
  • Explain the importance of being responsible around impaired driving.
  • Describe the types of impairment including alcohol, drugs and fatigue as well as the effects of impairment.
  • Recognize some myths and facts about impairment.
  • Recognize the consequences for impaired driving as well as managing distractions while driving and managing their attention towards driving.
  • Describe other impairments and the effects of combining multiple impairments.
  • Demonstrate the effects of distractions both in and out of the vehicle on the driver and other road users.
  • Describe the importance of safe and proper observation skills as well as how to safely perform these skills.
  • Recognize the importance of their own risk tolerance, personal limits, and accurate risk perception.
  • Identify and describe hazards on the roads as well as methods to detect and prevent collisions.
  • Explain common collision situations and methods of prevention.
  • Describe the importance of good decision-making on other road users.
  • Code of Conduct


GENERAL RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS
You may not:

1. enter without authorization into equipment, facilities, networks or accounts to use, read, transfer or change the contents, or for any other purpose;

2. use another individual’s account or grant another individual access to your account;

3. send inappropriate messages/dialogue with other students, faculty members, college staff via the telephone, online chat, or email, including but not limited to, messages/ dialogue which are offensive, abusive, derogatory, seditious, harassing or threatening.

4. display, transmit, distribute or make available information that expresses or implies discrimination/bullying or an intention to discriminate/bully;

5. interfere with the normal operation of any technology systems and connecting networks (this includes such things as flooding the network with messages or sending chain letters or pyramid solicitations);

6. create and/or use worldwide web information pages or links to point to offending materials that do not comply with the Ontario Human Rights Code or the Criminal Code of Canada unless doing so fulfills the requirements of the course; and

7. use our facilities or courses for any purpose that could be seen as a violation of the Criminal Code of Canada.

RESPONSIBILITIES
You are responsible for:

1. any and all use of your account(s); therefore, you must maintain secure passwords for all accounts assigned to you, ensure and safeguard against others obtaining unauthorized access to your accounts and must not share passwords or any other access control information for your accounts;

2. representing yourself honestly in all communications, applications, assignments, tests, examinations and other correspondence;

3. complying with all copyright and license conditions associated with VR7UAL/PDIO’s systems and content; you will not submit work that is plagiarized or otherwise violates copyright laws of Canada; and

4. reporting perceived infractions of the Code of Conduct Policy to either the course instructor and/or the VR7UAL/PDIO staff.

COURSE INTEGRITY AND ETIQUETTE
You are responsible for:

1. ensuring that all progress through the online course is the product of the registered student.

2. Submitted materials, test/quiz answers, etc. are the product of the registered student and are not plagiarized from any source including other materials, parents/peers etc. Any identified plagiarism may result in an immediate failing grade,

3. Cell phones and other electronic devices are not used throughout the duration of the course.

As a student participating in this online learning environment, you will abide by all rules and regulations published in your course(s) and in this Student Code of Conduct Policy, and agree that you are subject to the jurisdiction of all disciplinary procedures established to address any alleged violation.

Privacy and Legal Policies

VR7UAL Inc. and Professional Driving Instructors of Ontario Inc. Privacy Policy:
VR7UAL Inc. and Professional Driving Instructors of Ontario Inc. (“VR7UAL/PDIO”, “We”, “Us”) are the creators and owners of the PDIO powered by VR7UAL BDE course. We created this privacy policy (“Privacy Policy”) in order to set out how we collect, use, and disclose personal information through the VR7UAL/PDIO websites located at https://vr7ual.ca and https://pdio.ca (collectively, the “Website”), in the course of providing our educational programming and related services (collectively, the “Services”).

The privacy of our users is of great importance to us. By visiting our Website or Services in any manner, you acknowledge that you accept the practices and policies outlined in this Privacy Policy and you hereby consent to the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.

1. WHAT DOES THIS PRIVACY POLICY COVER?

This Privacy Policy covers our collection, use and disclosure of information about identifiable individuals and information that is linked to identifiable individuals (“Personal Information”), including those who visit our Website, apply for our programs, and use our Services (“Users”). This Privacy Policy does not apply to the practices of companies that we do not own or control, including those of service providers we use to process data (“Service Providers”). Service Providers are responsible for maintaining their own privacy policies governing the collection, use and disclosure of Personal Information.

2. COLLECTION AND USE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

2.1 Prospective Student Information

When you apply for a course or program, VR7UAL/PDIO collects your name, email, city, phone number and driver’s license number. We use this Personal Information to communicate with you regarding the status of your application, to assess your application and to coordinate in-car instruction.

VR7UAL/PDIO may collect name and contact information of prospective students to provide us with this information at events, through or Website, or otherwise in order to send information about our Services.

VR7UAL/PDIO will use the contact information provided to notify users of important information that is relevant to the Services. You may opt out of receiving marketing communications; however, despite your indicated e-mail preferences, we may send you relevant notices where permitted by law.

2.2 Student Information

When you register for a program, you can use a third-party payment processor to pay via credit card, and this processor will process payments on our behalf. Alternatively, you can arrange to pay your school directly via Email Money Transfer (EMT).

To enroll in a course, students will be asked to provide their name, email, city, phone number and driver’s license number. We are required to collect this Personal Information in order to meet our regulatory obligations.

When you participate in course activities, VR7UAL/PDIO will collect your test/quiz scores, assignment evaluation scores, requests for assistance, login information including date/time and ip address and general progress through the curriculum. This information is used to evaluate your performance in the course.

2.3 Cookies

Technologies such as cookies, beacons, scripts and tags are used by us and our third-party partners, namely Google Analytics. These technologies are used in analyzing trends, administering the Website, tracking users’ movements around the Website, gathering demographic information about our user base as a whole and providing advertising. We may receive reports based on the use of these technologies by these companies on an individual and aggregated basis. Various browsers and third-party service providers may offer their own management tools for removing these types of tracking technologies.

Standing alone, cookies do not identify you personally. They merely recognize your browser. However, VR7UAL/PDIO uses session cookies containing encrypted information to allow the system to uniquely identify you while you are logged into the Website. This information allows VR7UAL/PDIO to process online transactions and requests, including completing applications. Session cookies help us make sure you are who you say you are after you’ve logged in to our Learning Management System and are required in order to use the Service.

Third parties, including Facebook, may use cookies, web beacons, and other storage technologies to collect or receive Personal Information from the Websites and elsewhere on the internet and use that information to provide measurement services and targeted ads.

We also use Google Analytics to emulate our web traffic. Google may collect your IP address in order to analyze web traffic.

2.4 Mailing List

If you choose to subscribe to our mailing list on the registration form, both your driving school and VR7UAL/PDIO will collect your email address in order to send you updates on our products and services or those of selected partners. You can unsubscribe from the mailing list at any time.

3. SECURITY AND STORAGE

3.1 Storage Location

VR7UAL/PDIO stores its student data, including Personal Information, on servers located in the United States of America (USA). By submitting any Personal Information or using the Services, you agree to this transfer, storing or processing of your Personal Information in the USA.

In addition, VR7UAL/PDIO uses third-party Service Providers and sub-processors in the United States and Canada.

You acknowledge and agree that your Personal Information may be accessible to law enforcement and governmental agencies in those countries under lawful access regimes or court order.

3.2 Security

The security of your Personal Information is important to us. We use commercially reasonable efforts to store and maintain your Personal Information in a secure environment. We take technical, contractual, administrative, and physical security steps designed to protect Personal Information that you provide to us. We have implemented procedures designed to limit the dissemination of your Personal Information to only such designated staff as are reasonably necessary to carry out the stated purposes we have communicated to you.

You are also responsible for helping to protect the security of your Personal Information. For instance, never give out your email account information or password for the Services.

4. DISCLOSURE OF PERSONAL INFORMATION WITH THIRD PARTIES

4.1 Disclosure of Statistical Data

VR7UAL/PDIO may disclose aggregate statistical data to its business partners, who may use the data to better understand the demographics of our users. This information does not include any Personal Information or otherwise identify any individuals.

4.2 Service Providers and Business Partners

We may from time to time employ other companies and people to perform tasks on our behalf and need to share Personal Information with them to provide the Services. Unless we tell you differently, such third parties do not have any right to use the Personal Information we share with them beyond what is necessary to assist us. This includes third-party companies and individuals employed by us to facilitate our products and services.

Contract digital instructors for VR7UAL/PDIO will also have access to Personal Information of their students as necessary to administer the course.

4.3 Business Transfers

If we (or substantially all of our assets) are acquired, or if we go out of business, enter bankruptcy, or go through some other change of control, Personal Information may be made available or otherwise transferred to the new controlling entity, where permitted under applicable law.

4.4 With Your Consent

If we need to use or disclose any Personal Information in a way not identified in this Privacy Policy, we will notify you and/or obtain your express consent as required under applicable privacy laws.

5. RETENTION

We will keep your Personal Information for as long as it remains necessary for the identified purpose or as required by law, which may extend beyond the termination of our relationship with you. Specifically, we are required to store student records to meet regulatory obligations.

We may also retain certain data as necessary to prevent fraud or future abuse, or for legitimate business purposes, such as analysis of aggregated, non-personally-identifiable data, account recovery, or if required by law. All retained Personal Information will remain subject to the terms of this Privacy Policy.

6. ACCESS, CORRECTION AND ACCURACY

You have the right to access the Personal Information we hold about you in order to verify the Personal Information we have collected in respect to you and to have a general account of our uses of that information. Upon receipt of your written request, we will provide you with a copy of your Personal Information, although in certain limited circumstances, and as permitted under law, we may not be able to make all relevant information available to you, such as where that information also pertains to another user. In such circumstances we will provide reasons for the denial to you upon request. We will endeavor to deal with all requests for access and modifications in a timely manner.

We will make every reasonable effort to keep your Personal Information accurate and up to date, and we will provide you with mechanisms to update, correct, delete or add to your Personal Information as appropriate. As appropriate, this amended Personal Information will be transmitted to those parties to which we are permitted to disclose your information. Having accurate Personal Information about you enables us to give you the best possible service.

7. CHANGES TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY

We may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time. Use of Personal Information we collect is subject to the Privacy Policy in effect at the time such information is collected, used or disclosed. If we make material changes or changes in the way we use Personal Information, we will notify you by posting an announcement on our Website or sending you an email prior to the change becoming effective. You are bound by any changes to the Privacy Policy when you use the Website after such changes have been first posted.

8. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

You can help by keeping us informed of any updates to your contact information or other Personal Information. If you would like to access your Personal Information, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions about our Privacy Policy or practice, or if you find any errors in our Personal Information about you, please contact us.