May 6, 2011

It's now even easier to do business with Manitoba Public Insurance

Improvements to Driver Education Program, driver testing services

Effective Monday, May 9, Manitobans will register for Driver Education classes and book driver testing appointments at any Autopac agent throughout the province. Previously, Driver Education registration was carried out at high schools.

“The Driver Education Program now offers students one-stop convenience,” said Ted Hlynsky, Vice-President of Claims Control and Safety Operations for Manitoba Public Insurance. “Students can now register, select courses and pay in one visit to any Autopac agent.”

The student’s first step to obtaining their driver’s licence is to visit the Autopac agent, produce approved documentation to confirm identity, and obtain a customer number. The Autopac agent and student can then select the first-available Driver Education course, subject to eligibility rules. 

Another benefit of visiting the Autopac agent is that students and parents will also have more payment options (cash, Interac, Visa, Mastercard, or cheque).

In addition, all course information will be posted online at mpi.mb.ca, giving students access to a wider range of course start dates and locations. Students and parents can also find out immediately if the course they wish to take is full, and may be given priority for the next term if they are not able to take the course at another school.

“Students who are unable to register for a class due to over-capacity will now be able to pre-register for the next class,” said Hlynsky. “The student will be able to pre-register three days before the actual registration date. This change provides for a much more responsive system.”

Every year over 12,000 Manitoba high school students participate in the program.

Booking driving tests also more convenient

Manitobans can book driver testing appointments at any Autopac agent or Service Centre throughout the province, including road and knowledge tests.

Before, tests were purchased at Autopac agents or Service Centres and subsequently scheduled by phone through an appointment centre. Now, Manitobans can purchase and schedule tests in one convenient transaction at Autopac agents and Manitoba Public Insurance Service Centres.

Some processes outside of driver testing will also be automated, explained Hlynsky. These include the booking of:

•          General Driver Assessments;
•          Driver Medicals
•          Driver Education courses

Also effective May 9, a new 24-hour refund policy will offer Manitobans the flexibility to cancel a scheduled test up to 24 hours in advance to receive a full refund.