SGI

Immigrant Driver Education Grant Program

Questions and Answers

2009

Key Messages

·        SGI is committed to improving road safety and driver training in Saskatchewan.

·        SGI supports the government’s commitment to improving the life of immigrants in Saskatchewan - now and in the future.

·        Attaining a driver’s licence is both an immediate priority and a challenge for many immigrants.

·        SGI is providing $125,000 for 250 immigrants to receive the required driver training in order to obtain a driver’s licence.

·        Driver training costs an average of $500 - a challenge for many immigrants.

Questions and Answers

What is the Immigrant Driver Education Grant Program?

Funding is now available to refugees and immigrants who have taken up permanent residency in Saskatchewan and who legally require driver education to obtain a Saskatchewan driver’s licence. It is available to those who have not previously completed a certified driver education course, allowing them to obtain the required six hours of in-class and six hours of in-car training.

Why has SGI introduced this program?

For some coming to the province, the lack of a driver’s licence is a barrier to gaining or retaining meaningful employment. We understand that having a valid Class 5 driver’s licence can enhance a person’s life and significantly increase their options for employment. With at least 10,000 immigrants coming to our province annually, we want to help them build a successful life in Saskatchewan.

What are the barriers for immigrants when trying to obtain a driver’s licence?

There are two major barriers experienced by immigrants when trying to obtain a driver’s licence – language and cost.

Why is this program only available to immigrants and not to other groups in the province?

SGI has made a point of providing driver education to a number of groups in the province. Saskatchewan high school students continue to receive free driver education as part of the province’s high school driver education program. As well, in 2006, SGI launched the SGI Grant for Aboriginal Driver Education. The grant was developed to help fund the costs associated with driver training for Aboriginal people enrolled in adult learning programs.

Why is the funding only available to permanent residents?

Funding for the program is limited. As a result, SGI is offering funding to permanent residents – those who have made a commitment to staying in Saskatchewan.

I am neither an immigrant nor Aboriginal, but I can’t afford driver education. Can I apply to SGI for funding?

At this time, SGI is only providing funding to these two groups. If you are not a member of one of these groups, you may want to check to see if funding is available for driver education through other agencies such as Social Services, CanSask, adult education centres or employment agencies.

Who is eligible for the program?

The program is open to refugees and immigrants who have taken up permanent residency in Saskatchewan. In addition, to be eligible, applicants must:

·        hold a valid Class 7 learner’s licence

·        submit a signed application form that authorizes SGI to verify the applicant’s driving eligibility

·        be a Saskatchewan resident

·        provide the name of the driver educator/school being hired and the amount of funding required

·        provide a copy of immigration documents outlining the applicant’s status

·        have a reasonable understanding of the English language in order to comprehend the training course

How do I apply?

An application form is available online at www.sgi.sk.ca. Once the application form has been completed in full and all documentation has been included, application forms should be forwarded to SGI.

How long do applicants have to complete the training?

All training must be completed within three months of approval to guarantee funding. If training is not completed within three months, funding may go to other applicants awaiting approval.

How will SGI determine the amount of funding given to each applicant?

To determine the amount of funding, we will look at how much training is required in addition to the number of applications that are ultimately submitted. Funding will be distributed throughout the province to give all applicants a fair chance at being approved.

Can an applicant receive funding more than once?

No. Applicants can be funded only once.

Can an applicant receive funding for training for any class of driver’s licence?

No. Funding is only available for 6 & 6 training which is required to obtain a Class 5 driver’s licence. Training for higher classes costs thousands of dollars per person which means we would not be able to help as many people. Driver education is mandatory to obtain a Class 5 driver’s licence, where it is not mandatory to obtain a higher class of licence.

How many people will receive funding?

SGI anticipates about 250 people will be able to receive funding.

How much funding does SGI have available for this program?

SGI has about $125,000 available for this program which amounts to approximately $500 to $600 per applicant.

Why doesn’t SGI pay for training for all immigrants wanting to take it?

SGI is helping those who legally require the mandatory training to obtain a Class 5 driver’s licence. If someone has previously held a licence in their home country comparable to Saskatchewan’s Class 5 driver’s licence, SGI only requires them to take the written, road and vision tests to get a licence, and not driver education. If funding was also given to those who do not legally require training to obtain a driver’s licence, it would take funding away from those who do require it.

How many immigrants do you expect to apply for the funding?

We expect approximately 1,000 applications a year.

Are there costs/fees that the funding won’t cover?

Yes. Extra practice hours, testing costs, interpreter costs and fees charged for

no-shows and/or cancellations are the responsibility of the applicant.

How do I receive the funding?

The processing of applications may take up to three weeks. Applicants must ensure their application is completed in full and all documentation has been included. Upon completion of the driver education program, class records must be submitted to SGI to receive payment. Payment will be made directly to the driver educator.

How will SGI determine whether this program is a success?

SGI will measure program success by how many applicants receive a Class 5 driver’s licence.

Why doesn’t SGI just recognize driver’s licences from other countries instead of making new residents take training?

An agreement must be negotiated with each country before reciprocity is granted with Saskatchewan. Rules of the road, testing and training requirements are factors SGI considers when determining reciprocity with other countries.

Does SGI provide access to vehicles for practice if I take this training?

The six-hour in-car portion is done in a certified driver-training vehicle. SGI does not provide a vehicle for any additional practice hours or the road test. A suggestion is to ask a friend or relative to take you out to practice – if they qualify as a supervising driver.