MPI aims to make Driver Z registration smoother
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Registration for Manitoba Public Insurance’s winter Driver Z program opens this month, with Westman students set to have more course options.
Students and parents can begin reviewing winter Driver Z courses on Oct. 9, with those wanting to secure an invitation to a registration window required to become an MPI customer and purchase the Driver Education service by the end of Oct. 10.
The winter term will offer approximately 3,000 Driver Z seats across Manitoba, including six courses in the Westman region running between December and February, MPI communications manager Kristy Rydz said.
Students and parents camp out at Guild Insurance Group on Victoria Avenue to secure spots for their teens in the Driver Z provincial driver’s education program in May 2025. MPI says it has made changes that should now make registration easier.
(Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files)
The six Westman courses, she said, represent an increase from five offered last winter and three in winter 2024. MPI also increased the number of courses offered in Brandon this fall to 10, up from eight the previous fall.
“The additional courses and instructors are intended to help meet demand in Brandon and surrounding communities,” she told the Sun.
“Based on demand in the Westman region, MPI has increased courses and seats in Brandon over the past several years.”
MPI has also changed how students register for Driver Z in an effort to address long lineups and other challenges that have affected the program in previous years, she said.
Under the previous first-come, first-served system, all courses for an upcoming term opened on the same day, often prompting parents and guardians to line up early at MPI Service Centres and Autopac brokers to secure a spot.
The new system, introduced in January, gives eligible students a multi-day registration window instead.
Students who complete the first two steps — becoming an MPI customer and purchasing the Driver Education service — before the Oct. 10 deadline will receive an email inviting them to a registration window later this month, Rydz said.
Three multi-day registration windows will begin Oct. 14. Students can choose a date and time that works for them to register at an Autopac broker, MPI Service Centre or through MPI’s Contact Centre.
Rydz said the new approach has resulted in fewer registration problems since it was introduced.
“There have been minimal line-ups throughout the registration process and fewer issues reported to MPI from customers,” she said.
Rydz advised students and parents to begin the process early and make sure they have the required identification documents before visiting an Autopac broker or MPI Service Centre.
Families can use MPI’s Proving My Identity tool to determine which documents are required to establish a student’s identity.
For students who miss the Oct. 10 deadline, general registration will open Nov. 4, pending availability.
Rydz said that, while the number of courses and seats have been increased for winter, MPI will monitor the region and add capacity if needed.
She added the increased number of instructors in the area will allow MPI to continue responding to demand in Brandon and surrounding communities.
The winter Driver Z courses will begin in December, January and February, giving new drivers the opportunity to complete their driver education during the winter months.
» aodutola@brandonsun.com
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