At Young Drivers of Canada, we’ve always believed that safe driving is taught, not just tested.
But there’s one big truth every instructor knows:
Not every student learns, focuses, or reacts the same way behind the wheel.
Some learners need clear, step‑by‑step instructions. Others pick things up quickly but struggle to stay focused. Some are cautious by nature; others underestimate risk.
That’s why Young Drivers uses StreetSmart™ - a new cognitive insight suite from YD Labs and Research Inc. that helps us understand how each student learns and processes information before they start in‑car training.
The goal: smarter, safer, more personalized driver education in both the classroom and the car.
What is StreetSmart?
StreetSmart is a short, guided digital assessment that students complete on mobile, tablet or computer, usually before their first in-class or in‑vehicle lesson.
From that one experience, StreetSmart gives us two key pieces of insight:
- Cognitive profile related to driving, including things like:
- Attention and focus
- Working memory (how much they can hold in mind at once)
- Processing speed
- Task switching (how they shift between tasks)
- Risk perception and response
- Learning style profile, so we can see whether a student learns best when:
- They see it (visual demonstrations, diagrams, videos)
- They hear it (verbal explanation and discussion)
- They get step‑by‑step breakdowns
- They dive into hands‑on practice
StreetSmart then turns this into:
- An instructor‑friendly report with specific teaching suggestions
- A plain‑language summary for the student and their parent/guardian, with tips for practice at home
Why this matters before the first lesson
Traditionally, instructors figure out a student’s style over time: through trial and error, observation, and a lot of patience. StreetSmart helps us start Lesson One with that insight already in hand.
Fewer surprises, less frustration
Knowing a learner’s cognitive and learning profile ahead of time lets Young Drivers of Canada:
- Adjust the pace of new skills
- Decide how much to break down complex manoeuvres
- Choose more visual, verbal, or hands‑on explanations
- Spot where a student may need extra support with focus or risk awareness
That means less frustration for students, more productive time in the car, and smoother progress from lesson to lesson.
How StreetSmart Supports In‑Class and In‑Vehicle Training
In the classroom
Instructors can use StreetSmart insights to:
- Balance visuals and explanations to match the group’s dominant learning styles
- Build in extra check‑ins or discussion for students who benefit from repetition
- Flag students who may need more structured, step‑by‑step guidance when concepts get complex
- Make sure high‑risk tendencies (like low risk perception) are addressed early in theory sessions
In the car
On the road, StreetSmart helps instructors:
- Tailor how they give instructions (short, simple steps vs. fuller explanations)
- Decide when to introduce more complex driving environments
- Spend extra time on hazard perception and scanning for students who need it
- Build confidence gradually for students who are more anxious or cautious
Instead of a one‑size‑fits‑all lesson plan, instructors can personalize each drive around that specific student’s brain and learning style.
A typical student journey with StreetSmart
Here’s what it might look like in practice:
1. Before lessons begin
The student completes the StreetSmart assessment online - it only takes a short time and is presented like a guided series of simple tasks and questions - no prior knowledge required.
2. Instructor prep
The instructor gets a clear StreetSmart report highlighting:
- Cognitive strengths and areas to watch
- Preferred learning style(s)
- Recommended teaching strategies and pacing
They can use this to plan both in‑class emphasis and in‑vehicle coaching.
3. In‑car coaching
During lessons, the instructor can:
- Lean into what works best (e.g., “Let me show you, then we’ll talk it through, then you try”)
- Watch for situations that match the student’s risk profile
- Adjust the driving environment and complexity as the student grows
4. At home
The student and their parent/guardian receive a summary in everyday language, with ideas for:
- How to structure practice time
- What to watch for (e.g., distraction, rushing decisions, lane changes, scanning)
- How to give feedback in a way that fits the student’s learning style
Everyone is working from the same playbook.
Closing the “Practice Gap” with DriversCoach™
StreetSmart is part of a broader YD Labs and Research Inc.'s ecosystem, which also includes tools like the DriversCoach™ mobile app.
Together, these tools support the full learner journey:
- StreetSmart helps us understand the student’s cognitive profile and learning style.
- Class and in‑car training are tailored around those insights.
- Digital tools and telematics help reinforce learning and track practice between lessons.
The bigger goal is to close the “Practice Gap” - the difference between what students are taught in theory, what they actually practise, and how they perform in real driving conditions.
Built with privacy and ethics in mind
StreetSmart is designed with:
- Education, not surveillance as the core purpose
- Strong controls over how data is collected, stored, and used
- A focus on supporting students and instructors - not labelling students or limiting their opportunities
The insights are used to improve coaching, personalize learning, and support safer driving, not to punish or monitor students outside the learning context.
What’s next for StreetSmart
StreetSmart is being rolled out across select Young Drivers of Canada locations, with pilots also available for partner driving schools, fleets, insurers, and educational institutions.
If you’re:
- A prospective student or parent – ask your local Young Drivers of Canada centre whether StreetSmart is available in your area.
- An instructor or school owner – connect with us to explore how StreetSmart can support your team and learners.
- A fleet, insurer, or education partner – talk to YD Labs & Research about pilot opportunities and integration.
You can learn more about Young Drivers of Canada and our programs at YD.com.
The bottom line
StreetSmart doesn’t change what students need to learn to drive safely.
It changes how well we can match that learning to each individual student: their attention, their decision‑making, their learning style, and their risk profile.
By understanding the learner first, we can design better lessons, build confidence sooner, and help create safer roads for everyone.