This creates a lot of confusion on Road Tests because the City of Duncan has reduced the speed limits in Duncan to 30 kph unless otherwise posted while the adjacent District of North Cowichan still maintains the provincial speed limits for urban areas, which are 50 kph unless otherwise posted.

So, in an effort to reduce that confusion about speed limits and where the City of Duncan boundaries begin and end, here is a map showing the City of Duncan boundaries.

Note that we will still be offering discounts for multiple Class 5 and Class 7 lessons.

This increase is the result of rising costs and it brings our pricing in line with the majority of Driving Schools in Nanaimo and the Cowichan Valley. These rates are still very competitive in comparison with leading Driving Schools in Greater Victoria, including the leading Greater Victoria driving schools which have recently started operations in the Cowichan Valley.

Our new prices for Class 5 and Class 7 lessons, effective 1 March 2026, will be as follows:

One (1) 90 minute lesson – $180.00 + GST (currently $189.00)
Two (2) 90 minute lessons – $350.00 + GST (currently $367.50)
Three (3) 90 minute lessons – $510.00 + GST (currently $535.50)
Four (4) 90 minute lessons – $680.00 + GST (currently $714.00)
Five (5) 90 minute lessons – $850.00 + GST (currently $892.50)
Six (6) 90 minute lessons – $1020.00 + GST (currently $1071.00)
Seven (7) 90 minute lessons – $1190.00 + GST (currently $1249.50)
Eight (8) 90 minute lessons – $1360.00 + GST (currently $1428.00)
Nine (9) 90 minute lessons – $1530.00 + GST (currently $1606.50)
Ten (10) 90 minutes lessons – $1700.00 + GST (currently $1785.00)

Our prices for two hour Class 5 and Class 7 Road Test packages will be increasing from the current $200.00 plus GST to $225.00 plus GST (currently $236.25)

Clients booking lessons before 1 March 2026 will still get our current rates.

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Unfortunately Sean has found it difficult to maintain a work/life balance while doing his full time job at BC Transit and working part time with us as a Driving Instructor on weekends. So he will stop teaching for us in January 2026. We wish Sean all the best and we will welcome him back if and when he wants to resume teaching for us.

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Sean Potorti joined us in March 2025 as a Class 5 and 7 Driving Instructor and has been an excellent addition to our company. He is very popular with his students and fits in really well with our company.

But Sean also works as a bus driver with BC Transit in Cowichan Valley and, now that the months long BC Transit/Cowichan Valley strike has ended through arbitration, Sean will be going back to his full time job as a driver at BC Transit.

Fortunately Sean will still be teaching Class 5 and Class 7 for West Coast Driver Training on weekends. If you would to book Class 5 or Class 7 lessons with Sean, please fill in our Book Lessons With West Coast Driver Training form which you will find in the main menu at the top of this page.

It is now available for Manual Transmission training.

As far as we are aware, there are no other Driving Schools on Vancouver Island providing Class 5 and Class 7 training on cars equipped with manual transmissions.

Our 2026 VW Jetta is currently at Mark’s Instant Sign Shop awaiting the application of our corporate decals but it is still available for training if necessary.

Our 2016 VW Jetta is currently at H & M Auto Repair in Duncan awaiting its Commercial Vehicle Inspection and installation of the passenger side clutch, brake and gas controls required for Driving School vehicles teaching manual transmission to Class 5 and Class 7 clients.

Just FYI, here is an eight year old YouTube review of a 2016 VW Jetta 1.4 L turbo with an automatic transmission. We’ll try to find a decent YouTube review of the 2016 VW Jetta manual transmission.

UPDATE TO POST – 22 NOVEMBER 2025

Unfortunately Sean has found it difficult to maintain a work/life balance while doing his full time job at BC Transit and working part time with us as a Driving Instructor on weekends. So he will stop teaching for us in January 2026. We wish Sean all the best and we will welcome him back if or when he wants to resume teaching for us.

UPDATE TO POST – 19 SEPTEMBER 2025

Sean also works as a bus driver with BC Transit in Cowichan Valley and, now that the months long BC Transit/Cowichan Valley strike has ended through arbitration, Sean will be going back to his full time job as a driver at BC Transit.

Fortunately Sean will still be teaching Class 5 and Class 7 for West Coast Driver Training on weekends. If you would to book Class 5 or Class 7 lessons with Sean, please contact or office manager, Erica, at 250-709-3910 or by email at erica@westcoastdrivertraining.com.

COMMENTS ABOUT SEAN FROM CLIENTS

Sean has fit into our business really well and his students have made some very positive comments about him.

Here are some examples of clients’ comments about Sean. Also see our Testimonials From Clients page:

“Erica and Sean were amazing and so accommodating as we tried to navigate this process from Kelowna for our son. Sean took him out twice before his test and then the day of his test came early and calmed our son down and reviewed important information with him. Our son PASsED after two attempts elsewhere and we know Sean had everything to do with it! Thanks to a great teacher!”

Josie P. – September 2025

“Sean is the greatest coach i ever had on my journey to passing my drivers test, during our lessons he was a very picky instructor and would frequently outline the mistakes I make, afterwards he explains what is the best way to learn from them.

More importantly, Sean has always told each of his students to drive safely and smoothly. Moreover, whenever he believes you are ready to take the test there is no objection as every student he taught always passed. He constantly told his students to look back at the mistakes they did and discover what ways can we to do to prevent making these mistakes again.

If you need a coach to improve your driving skills, I would highly recommend Sean.”

Joshua K. – July 2025

“Absolutely loved Sean as a teacher for my daughter. Watched her greatly improved each time after each lesson.”

Jennie G. – May 2025

But Sean also works as a bus driver with BC Transit in Cowichan Valley and, now that the months long BC Transit/Cowichan Valley strike has ended through arbitration, Sean will be going back to his full time job as a driver at BC Transit.

Fortunately Sean will still be teaching Class 5 and Class 7 for West Coast Driver Training on weekends. If you would to book Class 5 or Class 7 lessons with Sean, please contact or office manager, Erica, at 250-709-3910 or by email at erica@westcoastdrivertraining.com.

Our prices for subsequent Class 5 and Class 7 lessons will be increasing from the current $140.00 to $150.00.

This increase is the result of rising costs and it brings our pricing in line with the majority of Driving Schools in Nanaimo and the Cowichan Valley. These rates are still very competitive in comparison with leading Driving Schools in Greater Victoria.

Our new prices for Class 5 and Class 7 lessons, effective 1 June 2025, will be as follows:

• One (1) 90 minute lesson – $160.00 + GST (currently $168.00)
• Two (2) 90 minute lessons – $310.00 + GST (currently $325.50)
• Three (3) 90 minute lessons – $460.00 + GST (currently $483.00)
• Four (4) 90 minute lessons – $610.00 + GST (currently $640.50)
• Five (5) 90 minute lessons – $760.00 + GST (currently $798.00)
• Six (6) 90 minute lessons – $900.00 + GST (currently $945.00)
• Seven (7) 90 minute lessons – $1050.00 + GST (currently $1102.50)
• Eight (8) 90 minute lessons – $1200.00 + GST (currently $1260.00)
• Nine (9) 90 minute lessons – $1350.00 + GST (currently $1417.50)
• Ten (10) 90 minutes lessons – $1500.00 + GST (currently $1575.00)

Our prices for two hour Class 5 and Class 7 Road Test packages will be increasing from the current $175.00 plus GST to $200.00 plus GST (currently $210.00)

Clients booking lessons before 1 June 2025 will still get our current rates.

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Over the last four years we have made every effort to avoid raising our lesson prices but, unfortunately, we see no alternative to raising our lesson prices.

Most other Driving Schools in Victoria, Nanaimo and the Cowichan Valley have already raised their prices and charge higher lesson prices than we do. For comparison purposes, here are the current lesson prices for selected Driving Schools in Victoria, Nanaimo and the Cowichan Valley, listed in descending order of prices – highest prices at the top of each list and then in descending order of pricing:

Cowichan Valley

The Confident Driver – 90 minute lesson – $200.00 ; Road Test Package – $309.52
Isle Drive Driving School – 90 minute lesson – $161.90 ; Road Test Package – $209.50
Summit Driving Academy – 90 minute lesson – $160.00 ; Road Test Package – $200.00
Safe Harbours Driving School – 90 minute lesson – $150.00 ; Road Test Package – $200.00
CV Driving Academy – 90 minute lesson – $150.00 ; Road Test Package – $190.00
Changing Lanes Driver’s Education – 90 minute lesson – $145.00 ; Road Test Package – $200.00
West Coast Driver Training – 90 minute lesson – $130.00 ; Road Test Package – $135.00
1st Choice Driving Academy – 90 minute lesson – $120.00 ; Road Test Package – $185.00

Nanaimo

DriveWise – 90 minute lesson – $160.00 ; Road Test Package – $150.00
Changing Lanes Driver’s Education – 90 minute lesson – $145.00 ; Road Test Package – $200.00
Vancouver Island Driving School – 90 minute lesson – $135.00 ; Road Test Package – $175.00
West Coast Driver Training – 90 minute lesson – $130.00 ; Road Test Package – $135.00
All Gears Driving School – 90 minute lesson – $120.00 ; Road Test Package – $140.00
Streetwise Driving School – 90 minute lesson – $90.00 ; Road Test Package – $150.00

Victoria

Joan Wallace Driving School – – 90 minute lesson – $187.50 ;
DriveWise – 90 minute lesson – $160.00 ; Road Test Package – $150.00
Changing Lanes Driver’s Education – 90 minute lesson – $145.00 ; Road Test Package – $200.00
West Coast Driver Training – 90 minute lesson – $130.00 ; Road Test Package – $135.00

So on 15 April 2024, West Coast Driver Training will be increasing its Class 5 and Class 7 lesson prices from $130.00 (before GST) for a 90 minute lesson to $145.00 (before GST) for for a 90 minute lesson.

If you are thinking of booking driving lessons, please do so before 15 April 2024 to ensure getting our current pricing.

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Lorne Bunyan, who used to own and operate Cornerstone Driving School on Salt Spring Island, will now be teaching for West Coast Driver Training on Salt Spring Island.

Lorne Bunyan well known on Salt Spring Island. He is licensed by ICBC to teach Class 2, 4, 5 and 7.

Lorne Bunyan will be arranging his own teaching schedule and he can be contacted by phone or text at (250)732-4735. Lorne can also be contacted by email at lorne@westcoastdrivertraining.com.

West Coast Driver Training has put its 2018 Toyota Corolla on Salt Spring Island for Lorne Bunyan to use in providing driving lessons for Salt Spring Island clients.

Our plan is that Lorne Bunyan can offer introductory driving lessons to new drivers on Salt Spring Island and then Mark Anderson, the owner and Chief Instructor of West Coast Driver Training, can offer subsequent lessons for Salt Spring Island clients in Duncan or Nanaimo, where they will encounter traffic lights and other road conditions not found on Salt Spring Island.

We typically meet Salt Spring Island clients at the BC Ferries terminal in Crofton.

We can pick up clients at the Crofton Ferry and drop them at the Crofton Ferry afterwards. But with the travel time between the Crofton Ferry and Duncan we recommend that Salt Spring Island clients consider doing 2 hour, 2.5 hour or 3 hour lessons rather than our usual 90 minute lessons.

Our lessons are typically 90 minutes. With a 90 minute lesson starting in Crofton, a significant portion of the lesson time is consumed by travel time between the Crofton Ferry and Duncan and back again. A longer lesson time gives the student driver more time in Duncan doing traffic lights and other driving conditions not encountered on Salt Spring Island. We can provide pricing on lessons that are longer than our standard 90 minute lessons.

As one example, a 2.5 hour lesson between 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m., between the 8:40 am arrival in Crofton and the 11:25 a.m. departure from Crofton, would be $241.66 plus GST, or $253.75. This 8:45 am arrival at Crofton currently seems to be the most popular time for Salt Spring Island clients.

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