Scarborough DriveTest parking spots put students at disadvantage: instructors

By Ginella Massa

The design of a Scarborough DriveTest centre’s parking lot is setting some new drivers up to fail, say instructors.

At the Port Union test centre, 15 of 44 parking spots are in a narrow section of laneway at the building’s rear. Many instructors tell CityNews it’s putting new drivers at an unfair disadvantage.

“The instructors, when they come, they know not to park here,” says Billal Qazi, who has been a driving instructor for more than 20 years.

“Some people come on their own and they see it’s empty and don’t realize how small it is. If a car comes in and parks next to you, you’re not going to get out.”

The one-way driveway leading to the spots measures 4.57 meters wide. If students brush the curb while trying to park, they could fail their tests.

The current city by-law requires six metres, but zoning staff tell CityNews the by-law was amended in 2013 and is not retroactive. The DriveTest centre moved to near Port Union and Kingston Roads from Morningside and Sheppard Avenues in 2009.

“I’m a professional and I can’t even get out of there sometimes,” says Qazi. “Forget about the summer, in the wintertime the snow banks decrease the amount of space. It’s horrible. It’s a nightmare for students.”

In a written statement to CityNews the Ministry of Transportation says they are unaware of any complaints about the Port Union location.

Drivers say they’ve brought the matter to the attention of local staff.

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