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1-50 of 73
- A look at the life of legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 in an attempt to make a flight around the world.
- The panel of experts believe this season's crop of bad drivers are the most diverse they've seen yet. The eight participants and their primary driving problems are: Diane Akers, an extremely slow driver who, regardless, is indecisive behind the wheel; Jamie Giberson, an emotional wreck behind the wheel who seeks constant advice when she drives; Brad Hengerer, who hates driving but is now forced to to drive both his currently incapacitated wife and father-in-law to their medical appointments; Lance Morin, a relatively new driver, who is so scared that he often vomits while driving; Dale Pitton, who believes she has hit something on average once a week over her thirty year driving life, often without realizing that she's done so; Scott Schurink, a cocky driver who intentionally flaunts the law, especially drinking and driving, but may want to be a safer driver if only for his infant son; Dean Sibanda, a speed demon with a gangsta wannabe driving style; and Paul Thurston, a motorcycle aficionado who doesn't understand driving any vehicle that has four or more tires. Given a set of directions, their first test with their nominator as their passenger is to drive individually from Hamilton, Ontario to the Driver's Rehabilitation Centre at Dunnville Airport. On that drive, two are stopped by the show's producers, who feel that their driving is so unsafe that they need instead to be driven to the Centre. Once at the Centre, the eight are given a driving assessment test consisting of reversing through a snaking and concrete barriered course and doing a slalom of at least 50 kph. Heeding the desires of viewers who have been dismayed to see vintage vehicles destroyed, the producers instead are using the same fresh off the lot new vehicle, a Camaro, which will be used for at least one driving test each week. Much of the Camaro is already gone by the time the eight have completed their assessment test.
- The eight participants' first challenge has each reversing a motor home, with the other seven as passengers, through a curvilinear course with some metal barriers. They will have to perform an S-turn to complete the challenge without hitting the barriers. Some do better than they expect, but many, with the constant advice of the other seven, don't really learn what they did right to get through the course. And one has a total meltdown on the course. Their second challenge is to drive straight on two narrow rails, just touch a barrier with their front bumper (if they touch it too hard, it will cause objects on top of the barrier to tumble) and reverse in that straight line off the rails. If they don't drive straight, they will fall off the rails into the water below. This challenge is to test spatial awareness, especially of where the wheels are, and where their front bumper is. It becomes obvious who has good and who has bad spatial awareness. Before the third challenge, Philippe provides a lesson to all eight on proper seat distance from the steering wheel, proper seat back angle, proper hand position on the steering wheel, and proper body alignment during shoulder checks of blind spots. They will require all these skills for that third challenge, a high speed one requiring a shoulder check on both sides to know which way to turn. One feels that these series of challenges may be a self-fulfilling prophecy of being Canada's worst driver, while on screen admissions by another may be too much for both that person's nominator and the panel of experts. In the end, the panel deliberation for the first graduation of the season becomes a moot point.
- With Scott Schurink being the first to leave the Drivers' Rehabilitation Centre this season, albeit by being expelled in part because his nominator Danny, who previously insured Scott, decided to pull that insurance due to Scott's unwillingness to take responsibility for his bad driving (making Scott only the second person ever to be expelled), seven participants remain at the Centre. Their first challenge, using a four wheel drive jeep, is to make a three point turn on a moat surrounded island, taking as many tries as needed within a twenty minute time limit. If a participant goes into the moat and cannot drive back out, he/she automatically fails the challenge. Some are able to complete the challenge, some can't do it in three points within the twenty minutes, and some do end up stuck in the moat. Before the second challenge, Peter provides each a lesson in driving a manual transmission vehicle. Only two of the seven have never driven a stick shift vehicle. That second challenge is to balance a stick shift vehicle on a teeter-totter. Not understanding the actual mechanics, several participants end up burning out the clutch. Before the third challenge, Philippe provides a lesson on threshold braking to be able to steer out of a braking situation in vehicles without ABS. The participants are required to drive around a turn at high speed while braking for the challenge. Before the panel deliberation, the seven participants assess their own driving skill and state if they feel they are ready for graduation. No one feels they have learned enough to leave. The panel have only one person for consideration for graduation. Will they graduate that person or abide by the wishes of all and graduate no one?
- The panel of experts abided by the wishes of all the participants by not graduating anyone at the end of the third week, meaning that no one will have graduated yet. The fact of no graduates by the beginning of week four is a first for the show. But the show is down one more person in that Dale's nominator, her nephew John, and she had a falling out, meaning that Andrew will now act as her nominator for challenges until John and Dale make up. The first challenge is the head to head reversing figure eight challenge. With the exception of one participant for who the daily driving lessons has paid off, all the participants demonstrate their major failings as drivers in this challenge. Given a lesson on how to do so by Philippe beforehand, the participants' second challenge is to drive a high speed (80 kph) slalom course. Some surprise by completing the course successfully. Before the third challenge, Peter quizzes the participants on rules of the road. The third challenge is the annual smooth driving challenge where if the participants do not drive smoothly, they will be doused by water in a 200 liter tank mounted above the car. True to their word, the panel of experts do graduate one of the participants and don't need to deliberate to decide on that person.
- With Paul Thurston being unanimously voted the first graduate of the season, six participants remain at the Drivers' Rehabilitation Centre. Their first challenge is the annual swerve and avoid test, which they attempt after being taught the driving mechanics of achieving it successfully by Philippe. One participant has a major breakthrough in attempting this challenge. The second challenge is a safe lane change one, where they all must safely pass the lead car driven by Andrew twice in a continuous course. Andrew stresses that this challenge is not a race and that the technical aspects of changing lanes safely is what is being evaluated. One participant demonstrates a non-understanding of what is required to impress the judges. After being taught the maneuver by Philippe, the participants next attempt a dough-nut challenge around a stationary central object located in an enclosed course. Andrew fears for his life when one participant hits the course. Two participants perform well enough to be shortlisted, with the decision of this week's graduate a close call between the two.
- With Diane Akers being named the second graduate of the season, five people remain in the running as Canada's Worst Driver. The first challenge those five will take is the annual eye of the needle challenge. To test the hypothesis that most crashes in this challenge have historically happened on the right side of the vehicle as the driver would rather protect him or herself rather than their passenger, this year the five will drive a right side drive vehicle. One of the five manages to do something to the vehicle on this challenge that the producers never thought could happen. In the second challenge, the participants must maneuver a vehicle within a narrow and confined cross shaped parking area. Although promised at the beginning of the season that no vintage cars would be used this year, a 1970 Monte Carlo is used for this challenge as all the other fleet cars have been destroyed. After being taught the skills by Peter, the participants, for their third challenge, have to back up a vehicle pulling a trailer carrying a sailboat. After Andrew drives the course, he admits that he had a difficult time, so suspects that some if not all the participants will have meltdowns while attempting it unless the course is widened. In the panel deliberation, the experts are unanimous on who should graduate, but also factor into the equation the pleading of another participant to leave the show due to health issues. Although the panel makes a decision between the two, the final decision is left to the only person who really knows what to do.
- With Dale and Dean's nominators convincing Dale to stay at the Centre despite her pleas to leave due to health reasons, Dean Sibanda is named the latest graduate, leaving four participants, including Dale, left at the Centre. All four want to be the next graduate so that they can avoid the final three finale. Their first challenge is the trough challenge, which tests their knowledge of where their vehicle's wheels are. If any of the vehicle's wheels falls into the trough or if the vehicle gets stuck, the driver must start the course over again. They each have one hour to complete the challenge or else it is considered a failure. The participants are then given a lesson on the dangers of distracted driving, especially driving while talking or texting on a cell phone. Their second challenge, called Canada's Worst Cup - pushing a large soccer ball with a car, the goal being to score a goal - is to teach car handling skills. After being taught the skill by Philippe, the participants, for their third challenge, must do a hand brake J-turn around an obstacle. The panel are split on who should graduate: the person who has shown the best driving skills up to this point versus the one who has shown the greatest improvement over the course of these last three challenges. Andrew makes the final decision.
- With Jamie Giberson being named the most recent graduate, there are three participants remaining at the Centre who will be in the finale for the running of Canada's Worst Driver: Brad Hengerer, Lance Morin and Dale Pitton. Their first challenge, which they each have thirty minutes to complete, is to balance a vehicle on a free floating gimbel without driving off it. Their second challenge is the annual mega-challenge, where each is required to use all the knowledge learned at the Centre to maneuver through a set course. Their final challenge, driving a mint condition Porsche Boxter, is to drive through a preset forty-five minute course with Andrew as their passenger and adjudicator through the streets of Niagara Falls, Ontario. As it is a more real life issue to prove his driving skill, Brad will drive with his nominator wife Donna as his passenger instead of Andrew. One participant racks up over $2,000 worth of driving infractions, while another fails to complete the course due to anxiety. After all the challenges are completed, the panel decide that the two worst drivers should not continue to drive on public roads until they deal with their specific driving issues, which neither ends up doing. The panel does name one of those two Canada's Worst Driver.
- Shyamala Kiru, the relationship therapist on the panel of experts, believes this season's crop of eight nominees is an accurate reflection of the cross-section of bad drivers on Canadian roads. Seven of those eight nominees and their primary driving problems are: Lauri Bencharski, who pays more attention to the menagerie of pets in her car than what's happening on the road; Sly Grosjean, who is addicted to using his smart phone while driving; Afiya Lassy, an aggressive driver who will do whatever it takes to get to where she's going without regard for others or traffic rules; Tab Parks, whose fragile nerves behind the wheel often results in her shaking and being in tears; Jon Parsons, an overconfident Corvette driver who often street races, especially against his Corvette driving father; Ben Reiman, who is constantly daydreaming while driving; and Shirley Sampson, an indecisive driver who often stops in the middle of the road when she doesn't know what to do. The panel of experts hope that they can provide as much guidance as they feel the eighth nominee will. He is Aaron Cheshire, who once was a confident driver until, in 2005, he was blindsided by a distracted driver, that accident which almost killed him and resulted in him being in a coma for two months. Remarkably, he never lost his driver's license even though he had to relearn how to drive after coming out of his coma. This appearance on the show is part of his physical and emotional recovery, where he hopes that he can once again become a good and confident driver. Given a set of directions, their first test with their nominator as their passenger is to drive individually from St. Catharines, Ontario to the Driver's Rehabilitation Centre at Dunnville Airport, approximately one hour in duration. On that drive, one is stopped by the show's producers, who feel that her driving is so unsafe that she needs instead to be driven to the Centre. The producers also wanted to stop another for unsafe driving, but were unable to do so. Once at the Centre, the eight are given a driving assessment test consisting of reversing through a snaking and barriered course and doing a slalom of at least 50 kph. They will be driving a specially painted 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T, the paint job in part to inspire a sense of respect for the car. It doesn't work as witnessed by what the nominees do to the car. When the nominees are placed in front of the experts for the first time, some do admit their driving faults - one who admits that this day could be the worst in her entire life - while others are in total denial about being a bad driver, they only agreeing to appear on the show to prove the world wrong.
- The eight nominees' first challenge is the annual riding the rails challenge, which has each rail the width of a tire and the two rails exactly the width of the vehicle's right and left set of tires apart. Adding a sense of fear, the rails are set over a shallow pond. The nominees have the option of reversing over the rails - the vehicle properly lined up for them if they choose to do so - or driving forward over the rails, in which case they have to align the vehicle themselves. Before their second challenge - the annual eye of the needle challenge at a minimum 60 kph - Philippe provides each with a driving lesson with the main premise being to look where you want to go. Most do heed the lesson, but application of the theory is a little more difficult for some. The third challenge has each reversing a minibus, with the other seven as passengers, through a figure eight course. This challenge tests the nominees' ability to use their mirrors. Ben and Tab should succeed on this challenge as they both do have a license to drive a full sized bus. Some nominees do manage to complete to course without hitting too many things, but did so only on the constant coaching of the passengers. On the panel deliberation, each member has the exact same two nominees shortlisted for graduation. Their ultimate decision is based in part by comments made by both of those two.
- Lauri Bencharski was named the second graduate of the season after the most recent panel deliberation, leaving six nominees at the Centre. The first challenge the six face is to drive a pick-up truck towing a 10 meter long trailer, which all are legally allowed to do under a basic driver's license. The challenge through the predetermined course also includes a backing up section. Peter provides some instruction on the basic of towing a trailer before each nominee attempts the challenge. Some succeed through the skills learned in the lesson, some succeed despite their own insecurities, while others quit the challenge altogether. The second challenge is to do a three point turn on a raised platform. Most are able to get on and off the platform, but require more than three turns. The third challenge is the annual water tank challenge: nominees are required to drive an obstacle course smoothly, or else get drenched by water sitting in a 200 liter tank mounted above the car. Most lose more water than they keep in the tank, but Andrew, who is supposed to demonstrate that it can be done, is embarrassed by his own performance. The fourth and last challenge is to perform a maneuver called the reverse flick within an enclosed course. The nominees are given a lesson in performing the maneuver by Philippe. Doing the maneuver in the lesson with Philippe and doing it on the challenge course end up being two totally separate things. Before the panel deliberation, each participant is allowed to plead their case for graduation to the experts. Only one of the six feels ready to graduate. Will the panel agree?
- With Jon Parsons being named the first graduate, there are seven nominees remaining at the Drivers' Rehabilitation Centre. Because all the nominees admit to driving while distracted, they are placed on what is probably the easiest driving course at the Centre, but one they must drive around while doing their distracted activities, such as eating, texting and applying make-up. After that challenge, they must all face Aaron, who was once almost killed by a distracted driver, that accident being the sole reason he is at the Centre. They are then given a reflex assessment since quick reflexes are required to drive well. They are then shown how to do an S-turn to make a lateral move as they will have to make that maneuver in their next challenge, a head-to-head with another nominee in a narrow circular course. Philippe then shows them the basics of good seat positioning and body positioning while doing shoulder checks. They will need this skill while doing their shoulder check challenge. The panel have an easy deliberation, with only one person being on each member's short list of graduation candidates, that short listed person being the same for each panel member.
- With Tab Parks being named the most recent graduate, four people remain in the running for the title of Canada's Worst Driver. The first challenge for these four is maneuvering a car in an enclosed space. This challenge, which requires the drivers to do a series of S-turns to complete it successfully, is more a challenge of patience while driving. The second challenge is driving a slalom course in reverse within a set time limit. This challenge not only tests the nominees' backing up skills but also doing it at considerable speed. The third challenge is the annual donut challenge, the skill which is taught to the nominees by Philippe beforehand. What the nominees learn in the lesson with Philippe does not always translate to the challenge itself. The fourth and final challenge is driving the largest vehicle in the fleet, a delivery truck, through a set course, which encompasses tight turns and a narrow and curving reverse section. After these series of challenges, one nominee is told that he/she may perhaps never become a good driver and thus should give up driving altogether. After their deliberation, the panel of experts are unanimous on who they believe should graduate. There is a dissenting voice - Andrew himself - who, as the show host who announces the graduate, threatens to impose his view rather than that of the experts.
- Despite Aaron being the only person to complete all the latest challenges successfully, his request to stay at the Centre is in part the reason why no graduated after those last set of challenges. Before the next set of challenges, Shyamala conducts one-on-one therapy sessions with Tab and Afiya, the two whose driving problems are highly psychological ones. The first challenge the remaining five nominees take is a snow plow driving one on a simulated narrow street filled with fake snow (in reality wood chips). The nominees have thirty minutes to make as many attempts to drive through the course without hitting anything except fake snow. Despite successfully completing the challenge, one nominee doesn't take away the proper lesson of the challenge. The second challenge is an off road one, testing rules of Canadian roads, including some specific to only certain locales. The third challenge is a game of road curling, where the nominees push oversized curling rocks with their car to a hog line with the goal of getting the rock into the house. They are given eight rocks apiece to reach that goal of at least one rock in the house. Some who fail don't understand the point of the challenge. After being taught the skills by Philippe, the nominees, for their fourth challenge, have to do a swerve at high speed to avoid hitting an unexpected object. Shirley admits that she was taught never to swerve to avoid hitting animals, and as such has killed more than one animal in her driving life. In the panel deliberation, the experts shortlist two. Their decision on which of the two to graduate is ultimately a difficult one.
- With Ben Reiman being voted the latest graduate of the season, five nominees remain at the Drivers' Rehabilitation Centre. Their first two challenges are parking ones, the first in a parking lot, the second parallel parking on a simulated narrow and crowded street situation. The parking lot challenge requires the nominees to back into one of the four parking stalls which will be made available - leaving one person unable to park - while battling other pushy drivers. The parallel parking challenge requires each to park in one fluid motion without hitting either the curb or the other cars. Many believe it is easier to do so in the small car in which Peter teaches them the skill, rather than the full sized 1967 Chrysler Newport they drive in the challenge. Peter, however tries to stress that the mechanics of the skill are the same regardless of vehicle size. The third challenge is the annual know where your wheels are trough challenge. One nominee completes the challenge despite bad advice from the passenger, another has a meltdown and fails to complete the attempt, while yet another attempts a potentially tragic maneuver. The fourth challenge is the annual skid and turn challenge on a simulated icy road. Most master the skill when taught to them by Philippe, but fail the actual challenge itself. With only one person who successfully completes all four challenges, that person would seem to be the obvious choice as this week's graduate, but...
- With Afiya Lassy being named the most recent graduate, there are three nominees remaining at the Centre who will be in the finale for the running of Canada's Worst Driver: Aaron Cheshire, Sly Grosjean and Shirley Sampson. Their first challenge, which they each have ten attempts and twenty seconds per attempt to complete, is a long straight reverse through a narrow, barrier lined course. The challenge proves problematic for two, while one sails through it on the first try. Their second challenge is the annual mega-challenge, where each is required to use all the knowledge learned at the Centre to maneuver through a set course. The sections on the course include a high speed slalom, an icy corner, a donut section, a 20 meter curvilinear forward than reverse which requires S-turns to complete, a reverse eye of the needle, concluding with a reverse flick. Their final challenge is to drive through a preset route through the streets and highways around Hamilton, Ontario with Andrew as their passenger and adjudicator. One participant racks up close to $3,000 worth of driving infractions, which Cam believes is the worst public driving display ever on the history of the show. Before the panel deliberation, Andrew, the nominees and their nominators hold a funeral for a dear friend who was with them for many of the challenges. The panel shortlist two as the worst, and deliberate on if the one who consistently did the worst at the Centre or the one who failed to translate the skills done well at the Centre to the public road driving is the worst. The panel is split, but they do name one of those two Canada's Worst Driver, with a caveat that does not quite apply to the runner-up.
- This season, the eight nominees for Canada's Worst Driver will be facing big city driving issues. Those eight are: Robert Cardenas who believes slower is always better, and who doesn't know how to drive quickly; Margherita Donato who is more concerned about her appearance than the fact that if she gets one more traffic ticket she will lose her license; Azim Kanji, whose stress behind the wheel compounds with every negative incident and which is manifested by his stress-induced alopecia; eighteen year old Klyne Postnikoff who is at the Centre to prove his nominator mother wrong that his reckless approach to driving is an issue; Dallas Sam, a nervous woman who always needs advice when she's driving; Kevin Simmons who does have a physical disability - a glass eye - which compounds his driving issues; Flora Wang, a non-confident woman which is not helped by her nominator husband who constantly barks orders at her and who often grabs the wheel while she's driving; and Diane Zbierski whose answer for her nervousness behind the wheel, especially on the highway, has been not to drive. Their first task is to drive the predetermined route with their nominator in the back seat (so as not to allow them to grab the wheel) from Niagara Falls, Ontario to the Drivers' Rehabilitation Centre at Dunnville Airport. They are then subjected to an assessment drive, which includes a tight U-turn in a concrete-barriered course, a reverse section through both a straight and curved section, and a slalom which must be driven at at least 50kph. The eight then meet the expert panel for the first time, the panel who provide their initial assessment.
- After receiving a lesson in the skills of reversing from Tim, the eight nominees embark on the first competitive challenge, to reverse through a course. The extra pressure is that they perform the challenge head-to-head with another nominee. They are also given one small twist to see if they understand the theory of reversing taught to them by Tim, rather than doing the task by muscle memory. After receiving a lesson on rear tires not following front tires in a turn from Philippe, the eight embark on their second challenge, driving the trough, which entails knowing where their tires are at all times, especially in tight turns. And after receiving a lesson in the proper shoulder check technique from Tim, they embark on their third challenge, which requires them to do both a left and right shoulder check at high speed before changing lanes to avoid hitting an obstacle straight in front of them. This challenge is especially difficult for Kevin who has no peripheral vision on his right side. Another nominee is given another lesson on this course to overcome his major issue. When meeting the panel after the three challenges, only one of the eight feels ready to graduate. Although there is some hesitancy by the panel to graduate anyone, they do have a short list of two people, one of who is named the first graduate of the season.
- With Robert Cardenas being named the first graduate of the season, seven nominees remain at the Centre. Those seven are given an examination of street signs, at which most are inept. As many of the nominees have a problem of driving while trying to multitask, they are then told to drive a course while doing several other tasks behind the wheel. Their first true challenge is the annual eye of the needle challenge at which they are to drive at 70 kph, which ends up being an issue for some in looking at their speedometer while at the same time driving the course. These first two driving challenges result in three of the worst exhibitions of driving ever at the Centre, with one perhaps being the scariest and potentially the most tragic. The last challenge is to reverse a school bus through a figure eight course, which teaches the nominees the importance of using their mirrors. While talking to the panel, only one nominee feels ready to graduate. Although that nominee is on the short list of two, that person does not receive the most votes. Will the panel graduate the person who feels ready to leave, or the person they feel deserves to leave?
- With Dallas Sam being named the second graduate, six nominees remain at the Centre. After given a lesson in towing a trailer by Tim, the nominees' first challenge is to reverse tow a trailer through a U-shaped course. This task proves to be impossible for some. Their second challenge is the annual water tank challenge, which includes a straightaway acceleration and deceleration section, a forward precision steering section, and a reverse slalom section. Needless to say, more than a few people get wet. After receiving a lesson from Philippe on high speed swerving, the nominees are then asked to do a high speed swerve challenge to avoid hitting an obstacle that will pop up at the last minute. Speed does become an issue in this challenge for many, who are either so consumed with watching their speedometer that they don't focus on the road, or don't look at their speedometer at all which results in going too fast to be able to complete the challenge correctly. After these three challenges, one nominee is clearly heads and tails above the other five in terms of driving skill, but the panel deliberates on whether this person, and in this case their nominator as well, are mentally ready to leave the Centre.
- As the expert panel graduated no one after the last deliberation, five nominees remain at the Centre. As a matter of safety, the five are first taught the seven step process in how to change a flat tire, which they are then expected to do in a mock rainstorm. Some of the five circumvent some of the seven steps in getting the job done. After being taught how to drive a manual transmission vehicle by Tim, the five, as their first challenge, are required to balance a stick shift vehicle on a teeter-totter, which will test their pedaling skills. Their second challenge is to play a game of mini-putt with an over-sized ball and their vehicle as the putter. This challenge is to test smooth driving skills and knowing where their front bumper is. After being taught how to do a hand brake 180 skid by Philippe, their third challenge is to perform the maneuver in an enclosed space. They have added pressure in completing this challenge in that an obstacle is placed in the middle of the course, namely an over-sized cutout of him or herself. Throughout these challenges and during the entire time to date at the Centre this season, Andrew and the panel have tried to make Margherita understand the dangers of driving in high heeled shoes, so far unsuccessfully. During the deliberation, the expert panel contemplates a Canada's Worst Driver first: sending someone home because their nominator is a detriment to their progress.
- There are five nominees left at the Centre with the recent graduation of Klyne Postnikoff. Much as she did for Dallas, Shyamala holds one on one sessions with Azim, to help him get over his stress, which is largely the cause of his bad driving. Tim teaches the nominees the proper technique to parallel park. They are somewhat confused when their first challenge is to drive an ice cream truck down a narrow straightaway. What they are not told until it occurs is that an emergency vehicle will approach, forcing them to parallel park the ice cream truck. Will they remember the technique for the task in a high pressure situation? The second challenge is to fill up at a make believe six-pump gas station with seven other vehicles in play. The challenge not only is to gas up as quickly as possible, but do so in a responsible and courteous way. Any illegal maneuver or hitting of an object requires a one lap exit around the gas station before they can attempt to fill up again. After being taught the maneuver by Philippe, the nominees' third and final challenge is to perform a reverse flick in an enclosed space. The resulting panel deliberation ends up being the most difficult one of the season thus far.
- With Azim Kanji named the latest graduate, four nominees remain at the Centre. Their first challenge is to do a three-point turn in a confined space. This relatively simple challenge proves to be more difficult for the nominees, although one does successfully complete the challenge in an unexpected manner with the help of their nominator. Their second challenge is to complete the longest reversing course in the show's history. There is ample space on either side of the course, and the course is one long straightaway, but the length proves to be a mental block. After being taught how to drive out of a skid with a car without ABS by Philippe, their third challenge is to drive out of an icy skid driving at least 40kph into the ice. Throughout the course of their time at the Centre, all the nominees have the one-on-one guidance not only of the panel but also other experts on the show such as a kinesiologist, an optometrist and a vehicle safety expert if they so choose. However, one nominee has thus far refused the avails of one of the experts who could alleviate that person's primary driving issue, which could be the difference between that nominee's graduating or else being sent into the final three potentially to being named Canada's Worst Driver.
- With Margherita Donato being named the most recent graduate, there are three nominees remaining at the Centre who will be in the finale for the running of Canada's Worst Driver: Kevin Simmons, Flora Wang, and Diane Zbierski. Their first challenge, which they each have ten attempts and fifty seconds per attempt to complete, is a forward and reverse slalom course. The challenge is considered easy, but two still have problems completing it. Their second challenge is the annual mega-challenge, where each is required to use all the knowledge learned at the Centre to maneuver through a set course. The sections on the course include an eye of the needle section, a forward and reverse precision driving section, and reverse and forward 180 flick sections. Their final challenge is to drive through a preset route through the streets and highways around Hamilton, Ontario with Andrew as their passenger and adjudicator. The panel shortlist two as the worst, and come to a split decision with Andrew as the final vote, he who would rather that one of the four experts change their vote to determine this year's titlist of Canada's Worst Driver. Regardless, all five on the panel agree that the two on the shortlist should voluntarily give up driving for their and others' protection.
- Andrew introduces the nine former students of the Drivers' Rehabilitation Centre who have been brought back to compete for the infamous title of Canada's Worst Driver Ever. As Andrew explains their first task to them, which is to drive to the Centre at Dunnville Airport (about an hour's drive away), he tells a little about who the nine seem to be today compared to who they were when they were first students of the Centre. A few admit to have improved their driving dramatically in large part from their experience at the Centre, a few don't seem to have changed their bad driving habits at all, while some others seem to have picked up additional bad driving habits. One in particular doesn't even attempt this first task for a reason of that person's own doing. At the Centre, they are given an assessment test, in which they are required to reverse in a curved course, maneuver within a confined space, and do a slalom at 50kph. After these first two tasks, Andrew believes there are a few who cannot be rehabilitated, and who should voluntarily stop driving forever. One does make the vow to give up driving if named Canada's Worst Driver Ever. The nine then face the panel of experts for the first time, who deliberate on if anyone should graduate. Andrew explains that as this season is special, there are no set rules meaning no one ever needs to graduate, and more than one person can graduate at any given time. The panel contemplates sending two people home, one as a graduate because of good driving skills, and one for a totally different reason.
- Following the first expert panel deliberation, they send two people home, Chris Ferguson as the first graduate, and the unexpected move of Henrietta Gallant as they felt that despite not being skilled to graduate, she really is no longer a driver, driving less than 100km/year and probably less in years to come. These departures leave seven in the running as Canada's Worst Driver Ever. Those seven are re-examined about their knowledge of street signs, to see if they are better than they were when first tested in their original stint at the Centre. Most end up disappointing. Their three challenges replicate those which they have done before. First, to test their knowledge of where their wheels are, they are asked to drive along a straight set of rails, stop at the end, and then back up along the rails. They are given only one attempt, falling off the rails at any point which is considered a fail. Second, they are required to do an S-turn within a confined space. And third, they are required to do both a left and right shoulder check on a course at 70kph, turning their car into the open side which has the green flag and not the red flag displayed if they do do their shoulder check properly. There is no expert panel deliberation, but Andrew provides what he considers bittersweet news to the nominees.
- With Shirley Sampson named the latest graduate, six remain at the Centre in the running for the title of Canada's Worst Driver Ever. The first of the three challenges is one that some have done previously, namely the reverse through a figure eight course, this time in a limousine with all the other nominees and the driver's respective nominator as their passengers. Andrew is clear with all the nominees about the need to look at both the driver and passenger's side mirrors and to take into account front end swing to complete the challenge successfully. Beyond what ends up being the high failure rate, the result for one demonstrates that person's primary problem of not being able to retain information effectively. The second and third challenges all have done previously, namely the swerve and avoid challenge, and the water tank challenge. Results from the swerve and avoid is the one that the experts will be looking to to see if any of the nominees truly have driving skill. The results from that challenge accentuates another's major problem, that of not being able to think logically. One nominee does not even attempt the water tank challenge, the panel believing that person's time better spent on another activity which may send that person home, but not as a graduate. Beyond that person, the expert panel short lists one other, but there is no guarantee that they will graduate that person.
- Andrew is dismayed but not surprised that at this point in the season, when five people would usually have graduated, that only three people have left the Centre, and only two of those as graduates. The six remaining nominees go through three challenges most have attempted during their first go 'round. The first two are the three point turn on an island, and the trailer tow challenge which includes a backing up section. But Andrew believes the third challenge is the one that replicates real life the most: the eye of the needle, where the needles this year are offset, and the challenge is to be done at 80kph. One nominee does not see the real life applicability of the challenge. And another has what Andrew believes is the craziest completion of the challenge he has ever seen. Throughout all three challenges, the issues causing the bad driving is highlighted by the performances. However, one nominee has an extra burden of an unsupportive nominator. And the experts believe another may have to overcome other issues better served elsewhere before the bad driving issues can even be addressed. The experts also have to decide if a few challenge successes after a history of failures are enough to graduate someone.
- With Angelina Marcantognini agreeing reluctantly to go into sixty day rehab to deal with her emotional issues thus leaving the Centre for good as a non-graduate, five nominees remain in the running for Canada's Worst Driver Ever. Eric, Michael's original nominator, returns to the Centre to replace his wife Yolanda as Michael's support, Yolanda who was seen more of a detriment to Michael's progress than a benefit. Kevin writes a letter to the panel taking ownership of his bad driving, which he thus far had always blamed on external factors, such as bad weather or bad road conditions. The letter buoys the panel, and leads to Shyamala having a discussion with all five remaining nominees before their next set of challenges. Those challenges which most have done in some form or another before, are the trough (which tests on-the-road knowledge of if the nominees knows where their wheels are), the hockey puck (which tests the nominees' vehicle handling ability), and the longest reverse challenge ever, a 800m straightaway which gets progressively wider over the course which should make it easier as the challenge progresses. Andrew decides to try an experiment with Kevin on the last challenge, the result which demonstrates how far apart the panel and Kevin's ideas of good driving are. With some successes on these three challenges, the panel has to decide if those successes are enough to graduate anyone.
- Yet again, the expert panel decided not to graduate anyone after the last deliberation, with only one person even on the shortlist, leaving five still in the running as Canada's Worst Driver Ever. Before the first and third challenges of this set, Philippe provides each nominee with a driving lesson to complete those two challenges successfully, those two challenges being the reverse 180 flick, and how to drive out of an icy skid. The expert panel laments the fact that drivers in training in Canada are no longer required to learn how to parallel park. The nominees' second challenge is to perform that basic skill, but in a school bus, which Cam highlights uses the same technique as any other vehicle. There are a couple of successes among the challenge attempts, but it is an incident during the 180 reverse flick that determines if the panel will graduate someone, or more precisely not graduate someone.
- With Shelby D'Souza being named the most recent graduate, four nominees are left at the Centre in the running as Canada's Worst Driver Ever, with three of those going into next's week's finale. At her request, Dale has a therapy session with Shyamala to regain focus in her driving and in life. After given a lesson on the maneuver by Philippe, the four each attempt the first challenge which is to complete a 180 degree handbrake turn within an enclosed space. The second challenge is the annual cross challenge, in which the nominees are tested in how they can park within enclosed spaces. And the third and final challenge is a high speed slalom in a limousine. The expert panel must send someone home with only the finale remaining. However, during the panel deliberation, an incident occurs which delays that deliberation and ultimately affects what the panel can or will do in sending someone home.
- There are three nominees remaining at the Centre who will be in the finale to participate in the final three challenges of the season to determine Canada's Worst Driver Ever: Sly Grosjean, Kevin Simmons, and Michael Telford. However, Dale Pitton, who left the Centre after the most recent panel deliberation due to a torn tendon in her hand which prevents her from continuing in the challenges, will also be considered in the final deliberation, as the panel saw her actions leading to that hand injury as a desperate move not to be named Canada's Worst Driver Ever. Upon her departure, the panel urged her to give up her license and stop driving forever for her and the public's safety, which she seemed unwilling to do. The first challenge is a timed reverse in an enclosed space and reverse slalom, before the course is to be driven forward. One nominee kills the classic car used even before the other two get behind the wheel. Although they are taught proper reversing technique, none of the nominees seem to want to use that technique. Then they are to drive the mega challenge, which this year consists of a high speed eye of the needle slalom, an icy corner, a forward and reverse precision steering section which includes parking in an enclosed space, and a 180 degree reverse hand brake flick. The final challenge is a one hour drive along a pre-set route through the streets and highways of Hamilton. Regardless of the results of the first two challenges, the performances on the final challenge seemingly will determine who will receive the title, unless the Dale factor comes into play. The trophy ceremony ends up being one of the most acrimonious in the show's history.
- Host Andrew Younghusband quickly goes through the ten year evolution of the nominee bad driving issues on the show, before he introduces the eight nominees for this season chosen from the approximately 500 applications. They are: Ian Brannan, a Kingston cabbie who has a list of excuses for why he has so many accidents; Mariah Carriere who is unrepentant about her bad driving, including her admitted drinking and driving; George Firth, a bully of a driver, who speeds excessively, tailgates and passes on the right; Tyler Fitzsimmons whose nervousness behind the wheel leads to ignoring traffic conventions to allow other road users to do things before him, and which is all the more surprising as he is a licensed pilot who enjoys being behind the controls of an airplane; Jason Marcoux, whose bad driving may solely be a function of his poor eyesight which he has not addressed; Siham Martell, who has had severe anxiety over driving ever since she was involved in a serious car accident four years ago; Santana Pike, who believes her driving exam was too easy which allowed her to pass it without she really knowing what she was doing; and Chanie Richard, a self-taught driver who does not understand the rules of the road or know proper driving technique. Cam Woolley, who is again the panel's legal expert, discusses the fact that distracted driving has replaced drunk driving as the number one cause of serious driving injuries compared to ten years ago, with half of this season's nominees addicted to cell phone use while driving, George who watches TV on his, and Chanie who takes multiple selfies per trip on hers. The nominees' first task is to drive the predetermined route with their nominator in the back seat from Niagara Falls, Ontario to the Drivers' Rehabilitation Centre at Dunnville Airport. One of the cell phone addicts decides to chart his own course using his phone's GPS rather than use the given directions. At the Centre, the nominees are then subjected to an assessment drive, consisting of a reversing section which includes both straightaways and slight curves, a tight maneuvering section through a concrete-barriered course, and a slalom which must be driven at at least 50kph. The eight then meet the expert panel for the first time, the panel who provide their initial thoughts.
- The nominees' first three challenges are traditional ones to the show. The first is riding the rails, where the nominees are required to drive along a straight parallel set of rails, which will test if the nominees know where the tires of their vehicles are when they are driving. After receiving a lesson in the skills of reversing from Tim, the eight nominees then embark on the second competitive challenge, to reverse through a course. The extra pressure is that they perform the challenge head-to-head with another nominee. After receiving a lesson on driving through tight spaces from Philippe, most specifically by looking where they want to go, the eight embark on their third challenge, the annual eye of the needle with the needles offset to simulate lane changes, and the course which must be driven at at least 70kpm. Through the challenges, Ian provides Andrew a list of what he considers those areas of his driving which need attention, Andrew who in turn provides it to the panel for information. The panel, in turn, is confused by what Ian needs assistance with as the majority of those items listed are choices made by him as opposed to skills which can be taught. Jason still refuses to address his bad eyesight issue, the importance of which he does not quite understand in relation to his driving. During the panel discussion to name the first graduate of the season, they shortlist two nominees, the best driver and the one who acknowledges his/her driving issues. They do name a graduate which surprises the nominees and the graduate's nominator.
- With Ian Brannan being named perhaps surprisingly the first graduate of the season - he being so named because he recognized the bad driving choices he was making - there are seven nominees left at the Drivers' Rehabilitation Centre. The panel believes the distracted driving demonstration is more important now than ever with cell phone use causing driving accidents being on the rise. Four of the remaining nominees are addicted to their cell phone while driving, another who would use it if his passengers would allow it, and another whose distraction is eating and drinking while driving. Partly out of that demonstration, Shyamala has a chat with Mariah about her perpetually happy emotional state and excessive drinking which probably hide deeper issues. Before the first official challenge, Jason gets his sight tested and addressed, his sight issues which were worse than he imagined. That challenge, which will first see if Jason's sole driving issue is/was his eyesight, is reversing a van in a figure eight course, which tests use of side mirrors and understanding the issue of front end swing in the curves. One nominee has a quiet meltdown, which Andrew has to address to keep her continuing the entire process. After receiving a lesson in seat placement and how to position one's body in the driver's seat by Philippe, the nominees embark on their second challenge, which tests if they can shoulder check on both their left and right sides and if they understand the concept of the blind spot when using their side mirrors. The panel has perhaps its most divisive deliberation, with the five having five different recommendations on who should graduate. One viewpoint does emerge, that which is announced at the graduation ceremony.
- With Santana Pike being named the second graduate, six nominees remain at the Centre. The nominees' first challenge is to test if they know how fast they are driving by covering their speedometer. They are required to drive at both 50kph and 70kph, the latter which also entails them hitting on their brakes at a given point to avoid hitting a wall, which they should be able to do if they are indeed driving at the requested speed. Their second challenge is the annual water tank challenge, which includes a straightaway acceleration and deceleration section, a forward precision steering section, a dirt mound section, an S-turn section, and a reverse slalom section. Needless to say, more than a few people get wet including one surprised host. After receiving a lesson from Philippe on high speed swerving, the nominees are then asked to do a high speed swerve challenge to avoid hitting an obstacle that will pop up at the last minute. Philippe stresses that they should look for a solution rather than look at the obstacle which results in what he calls target fixation. Before these challenges, George, who is teaching is sixteen year old son Cody how to drive, expresses concern that he is transferring his own bad habits to Cody by osmosis. As such, without George's knowledge, Cody is brought to the Centre, he who is given driving lessons by Tim. It ends up being an eye opening experience for both father and son. After these three challenges, the panel decides they will not deliberate because...
- There are five nominees left at the Centre with the graduation of George Firth. Before the next set of challenges, Andrew tries to impress on the five the importance of proper seating behind the wheel and the negative consequences of not doing so if/when an air bag is deployed. The first challenge for the five is to do a three point turn in a school bus in an enclosure. This task may be difficult for some who either do not grasp the concept or who do not even know what a three point turn is. The second and third challenges require Philippe to teach them the associated and related maneuver. The first is a forward 180 degree hand brake spin out. The second is the same but in reverse. The two challenges are to accomplish each maneuver in an enclosed space. Philippe and Andrew try to impress upon the five the importance of learning such skills even though their use in everyday driving may not be evident. These two tasks are perceived more difficult because of the pressure associated with doing what are perceived as skills only used by stunt drivers. During the graduation deliberation, the panel short lists two, their ultimate decision on who to graduate based on the nominees' own perspectives on whether they feel ready to graduate.
- With the panel deciding not to graduate anyone at the last graduation ceremony based on the nominees' own wants, there are still five left at the Centre. As it is one of the most destructive and frightening activities for the nominees as a collective in their everyday driving, parking in a crowded parking lot is their first challenge. They must obey all standard rules, one nominee who is totally oblivious to legalities of property damage in parking lots. They must park into any available legal space in one go, in each case backing up, a penalty incurred if the parking maneuver is done incorrectly. Their second associated challenge, after being taught the skill by Tim, is to parallel park, again it only considered a pass if they complete the maneuver backing up and straightening out each once (as opposed to going back and forth several times) without hitting anything. Some of the nominees demonstrate how short their attention span is in trying to park. The third challenge is a high speed slalom at 80kph. The obstacles are set 30 meters apart, which should make the task easily doable. After their first run, each nominee will get a second attempt, deciding if they want to shorten the distance between obstacles and by how much. This decision is to see if they know and understand their own driving limitations. At the deliberation, the panel short lists two, the one who performed the tasks the best, the other who has a better natural grasp on driving concepts. Tim may be the deciding force, he who has a unique perspective as the person who has taken all the nominees out onto city streets for driving lessons.
- With Mariah Carriere being named the latest graduate, there are four nominees left in the running to be named Canada's Worst Driver. Their first challenge is to do a straight reverse one kilometer in length, the longest reversing challenge ever on the show. There are several sections, the side barriers made of different materials and the lane being differing widths throughout the course. The nominees are told that it is a race, that they are to complete the course as fast as they can. Most do not however realize that success still entails not hitting anything. Tim holds himself largely responsible for their success or failure having taught them how to reverse properly. The second challenge is the annual parking within the concrete enclosed cross challenge, needing to back into each of the four parking spots, namely the arms of the cross. After being taught how to drive out of skids by Philippe, the four then embark on their third challenge, to drive out of an icy skid without hitting the wall. Andrew stresses to the nominees that no one has ever graduated without having successfully completed this challenge. At the panel deliberation, Andrew makes a bold suggestion, which if it happens will be a first for the show in its ten years. Only the graduation ceremony will show if the rest of the panel agreed with Andrew's suggestion.
- With Tyler Fitzsimmons being named the most recent graduate, there are three nominees remaining at the Centre who are in the finale for the running of Canada's Worst Driver: Jason Marcoux, Siham Martell and Chanie Richard. Their first challenge, which they each have ten attempts and forty-five seconds per attempt to complete, is a forward and reverse slalom course. Their second challenge is the annual mega-challenge, where each is required to use all the knowledge learned at the Centre to maneuver through a set course. The sections on the course include a combined eye of the needle/slalom section, a forward and reverse precision driving section, a confined parking section, a reverse flick section, and an icy corner section. Their final challenge is to drive through a preset route through the streets and highways around Hamilton, Ontario with Andrew as their passenger and adjudicator. The panel truly do deliberate about the merits of naming each as Canada's Worst Driver, some who excelled at certain aspects while failing miserably at others, while some were generally bad drivers all around but teachable and cognizant of what they were doing wrong. But the choice of who the title may go to may depend largely on how each did on the most important final public road challenge in combination with what each nominee says in front of the panel for the final time.
- For season 11, the focus for the panel of experts with this year's crop of nine nominated as Canada's Worst Driver are the hazards of speeding, especially in combination with distractions behind the wheel and/or ineptitude in driving skills. The speed demons of the nominees are: Tina Cook, a belligerent driver who is unrepentant about her drinking and driving, believing everyone does it; Cameron Donavin, a distracted driver as he can't put his cell phone away when he's driving despite knowing that whatever he is doing on his phone is never an emergency; Jillian Matthews, a nervous driver who speeds if only to get off the road as quickly as possible in her nervousness; Alex Morrison, an extremely aggressive driver who will play chicken with slow moving vehicles and who will often drive with his knees while he does something else with his hands; Jordan Paddon, who is more concerned about personal grooming and personal hygiene tasks behind the wheel than he is about paying attention to what's happening on the road; and Polly Sergeant, who drives at widely variable speeds as she gets distracted with other things around her. The seventh nominee, Renee Boily has the opposite problem in that she drives so slowly as she is so nervous when there is any other traffic around, especially on the highway, that she will turn on her hazard lights to let cars pass, while she will often pull over the side of the road to deal with her nervous emotions. Nominated by his brother Shmuel Hoffman, the eighth nominee is Sholom Hoffman. The ninth and final nominee is Shmuel, who was in turn nominated by Sholom. The brothers are relatively new drivers whose inexperience shows. The nominees' first task is to do the approximate one hour drive on the predetermined route with their nominator in the back seat from - appropriate to this year's theme - Cayuga Dragway to the Drivers' Rehabilitation Centre at Dunnville Airport, with Sholom and Shmuel taking turns on their joint drive. At the Centre, the nominees are then subjected to an assessment drive, consisting of a reversing section which includes both straightaways and slight curves, a tight maneuvering section through a concrete-barriered course, and a slalom which must be driven at 60kph. The nine then meet the expert panel for the first time, the panel who provide their initial thoughts.
- The nominees' first three challenges are traditional ones to the show with a twist. After receiving a lesson in the skills of reversing from Tim, the nine nominees embark on the first challenge, to reverse through a course. The extra pressure is that they perform the challenge head-to-head with another nominee. The second challenge is riding the rails, where the nominees are required to drive along a straight parallel set of rails, which will test if the nominees know where the tires of their vehicles are when they are driving. The extra difficulty in the challenge this year is that the rails are offset meaning that their vehicle will be riding only one rail during certain parts of the course, giving the sense of imbalance if done correctly. After receiving a lesson on proper shoulder checking from Philippe, the nine embark on their third challenge, the annual changing into the green lane, the course which must be driven at 75kph. The additional item with the challenge this year is that the nominees must shoulder check both sides, as in past years, nominees often only shoulder checked one side assuming the side they did not check was the other color (i.e. if the checked side was "safe" green, the non-checked side was "danger" red; if the checked side was red, the non-checked side was green). This challenge proves emotionally difficult for speed-shy Renee, who has never driven far in excess of that speed. During the panel discussion to name the first graduate of the season, they shortlist two nominees, the only two who believe they should graduate and want to graduate this episode. The decision may rest on who the panel believes has truly changed his/her bad attitude.
- With Tina Cook and Alex Morrison jointly being named the first graduates of the season, there are seven nominees left at the Drivers' Rehabilitation Centre. Andrew believes that Jordan needs to address his poor eyesight issue, vanity which has prevented him from getting his vision tested in the probable need for eyeglasses. And Shyamala is looking forward to having a chat with Jillian, who is arguably the most skilled driver of the nominees left at the Centre but who is in constant tears behind the wheel due to her anxiety, that is when she is not arguing with her boyfriend nominator Mitchell in his unwavering support of her. The first challenge is the annual riding the trough challenge, which is designed to see if the nominees understand the concept that their rear tires do not follow the path of their front tires in turns. Most indeed do not understand the concept until shown what happens when Andrew drives a car around then over markings on the pavement. The second challenge is reversing a station wagon in a figure eight course, which tests use of side mirrors, this challenge which should be easily accomplished if they use their mirrors without even needing to look out the rear windshield. The third challenge is the annual swerve and avoid, where the nominees have to swerve at the last minute to avoid hitting a suddenly appearing object. The drive by two demonstrates the season's theme in that excessive speed can be extremely dangerous. During the deliberation, the panel has only one person under consideration for graduation. The question becomes if they feel that that person indeed should graduate at this time.
- With Cameron Donavin being named the third graduate, six nominees remain at the Centre. Shyamala finally has her session with Jillian, Shyamala who tries to get Jillian to deal with her emotions in a different way, with the outward outcome being not to abuse her boyfriend Mitchell in the process, he who tries to support her at every turn while only to get yelled at constantly in return. The nominees' first challenge is not so much a challenge but an assessment as Tim takes each out for a drive on the roads of small town Dunnville, trying to get each to focus on what they should see holistically while they are driving and what they should not focus on while behind the wheel. The nominees' first official challenge, after given the basics on how to do so by Tim, is to parallel park a full sized Cadillac in a spot that has a total of five feet of space extra beyond the length of the vehicle. After receiving a lesson from Philippe on the concepts of looking where they want to go and target fixation, the nominees then embark on their second challenge, the annual eye of the needle, which is to be driven at 80 kph. The speed in and of itself may prove too much once again for speed-shy Renee. Excessive speed again proves to be a driving issue for some in the challenge. Through these challenges, the panel can see if Shyamala's talk has had any effect on Jillian, her driving and her treatment of Mitchell. Between the challenges, the three remaining nominees who admit to often being distracted by their own admission on other things they shouldn't be while behind the wheel are taken on the distracted driving demonstration to open their eyes to the dangers of distractions, even at relatively slow speeds. After these three challenges, the panel decides they will not deliberate because...
- The latest graduation does not reduce the number of people at the Drivers' Rehabilitation Centre as that graduate is Shmuel Hoffman, who remains at the Centre as the nominator of his brother, Sholom. As the bad driving problems of the remaining five nominees left at the Centre have some basis in their psychological makeup, they all have one-on-one sessions with Shyamala, that is except... who refuses to attend that voluntary therapy. After given a lesson on the task by Tim, the nominees are asked to reverse a minivan towing a boat, first in a straight line, then in a ninety degree turn into a garage. There are varying degrees of success/failure, with some knowing what they're doing wrong, but being unable to translate that knowledge into actually correcting the error. The next challenge is the annual longest straight reverse in the world, the course getting wider as the course progresses. The nominees are encouraged to drive the course as fast as they can, especially when it widens, to show them that they need to steer less the faster they go. In doing the challenge, some still do not fully understand the concept of looking where they want to go as opposed to looking where they are going. After given a lesson in the concept by Philippe, the nominees embark on their final challenge, the annual steering out of an icy skid. The panel and others relay stories of how this challenge in past seasons has positively affected their own lives and that of viewers. Partly because of those anecdotes, the panel believes passing this challenge is of utmost importance in demonstrating if the nominees are skilled enough drivers now to graduate. Two nominees believe they are indeed ready to graduate. The panel has to decide if they will take the nominees' wants to stay or leave into consideration, especially in relation to their actual driving skill.
- With no one graduating following the most recent panel deliberation, there are five nominees remaining in the running as Canada's Worst Driver. Their first challenge is the annual parking lot challenge, which this year has the added issue of the nominees needing to back into any of the parking spots available in one attempt (i.e. not backing in and out and in again). Although they are given as many tries as they want, a passing grade is only issued if they can do it in two tries. The second challenge is the annual water tank challenge which this year includes a high speed section, a precision driving section, a raised knowing where your wheels are section, a congested parking lot section and a concrete barriered confined section out of which they must reverse. One nominee demonstrates a flaunting or non-understanding the of the rationale for the challenge in the process of losing a lot of water regardless. The third and final challenge is the annual reverse 180 degree flick in a confined space challenge, the nominees who are given lessons in the maneuver by Philippe. Although some do not understand the need to do such a maneuver in real life, they are taught such to understand the physics behind what their car does. Beyond these three challenges, the panel also believes that two of the nominees need to address their primary fears truly to be ready to graduate. One is Jillian, who is afraid to drive by herself, fearing not knowing what to do if something happens, even something as minor as getting lost. She is given a short, programmed GPS route to drive in the small town next to the Centre. The other is Renee, who fears driving on the highway at the posted speed. As such, Tim offers to take her on a drive to get on and off the highway as well as to change lanes once on the highway. Both Jillian and Renee are given the choice if they want to confront these phobias by doing these drives. In the panel deliberation, a comment by one of the two shortlisted nominees determines who of those two will be named the next graduate.
- With Jordan Paddon being named the most recent graduate, there are four nominees left at the Drivers' Rehabilitation Centre in the running as Canada's Worst Driver. Three of the four begin to use techniques either self created or taught by the instructors to cope and/or deal with the challenges ahead of them, while the fourth may come to a realization that his/her issue is a potentially dangerous one especially when caught in emergency situations. The first challenge is the annual cross, where the nominees are required to back a vehicle into the four spokes of an enclosed cross. They will be using a full length bus to show them that the techniques are still the same regardless of the size of the vehicle. The second challenge is the annual forward 180 degree spin out in an enclosed space, the maneuver which will be taught to them by Philippe. Although the task is not one they will ever need to do in public roads, it will give them driving skills and further knowledge about the physics of what vehicles actually do. The third and final challenge is the annual high speed slalom which needs to be driven at 80 kph. The challenge is not so much to accomplish the slalom without hitting the markers, which should be an easy task, but knowing their driving limits in whether they will move the markers closer on another attempt and if so by how much. Through it all, Tim continues to take the four out on public drives, with both Renee and Jillian given the additional challenges of doing solo drives in what causes them stress, for Renee on the highway and for Jillian most specifically in any drive with which she is unfamiliar. By the end, only one nominee feels ready to graduate. The question becomes if the panel feels that person is ready to graduate or if they should take all four into the final.
- With Renee Boily being named the final graduate, there are three nominees remaining at the Centre who are in the finale for the running of Canada's Worst Driver: Sholom Hoffman, Jillian Matthews, and Polly Sergeant. Their first challenge, which they each have ten attempts and forty-five seconds per attempt to complete, is a forward and reverse slalom course. Their second challenge is the annual mega-challenge, where each is required to use all the knowledge learned at the Centre to maneuver through a set course. The sections on the course include a combined eye of the needle/slalom section, a forward and reverse precision driving section, a confined parking section, a reverse flick section, and an icy corner section. Their final challenge is to drive through a preset route through the streets and highways around Hamilton, Ontario with Andrew as their passenger and adjudicator. The final challenge is altered for Jillian, who is set to drive the course on her own with the assistance of a GPS as it is her fear of driving alone especially in unfamiliar situations that is her biggest driving nemesis. The panel has arguably the most difficult final deliberation, with no one nominee standing out as the best or the worst. The person named Canada's Worst Driver largely comes down to one event.
- Andrew introduces the eight nominees as Canada's Worst Driver Season 12. There are the nervous drivers: Tyler Dupont, a serial hit-and-runner who feels he's a safer driver by self-medicating with a few beers beforehand to calm his nerves; Daniella Florica, who would rather give up than continue whenever she gets nervous on the road which is often; and forty-one year old Lou Valcourt, whose nerves are largely from inexperience as she has only had her license for one year and has only driven by herself four times in her life. One extraordinary nominee in this category is Mike Adrain, the victim of a head-on collision thirteen years ago which left him with permanent brain damage. His license was revoked after emerging from his several month coma following the accident, then reinstated four years ago after he went through driver retraining at a brain injury clinic. The result of the injury on his driving is that he has slow reaction and cognition, which he feels he can overcome by repetition in tasks. There is the distracted driver: spiritualist Diana Hutchings believes her spirit guides will keep her safe, she not realizing that she is focusing more on things like her spiritual staff or reading out of her positive scriptures book while driving than keeping safe by being aware. And there are the purposefully reckless drivers: Cody Jensen, who has fun on the road by doing dangerous maneuvers like drifting, the result being he is one ticket away from losing his license for the seventh time; and Amrinder Dua, whose smug and cavalier attitude about driving and rules of the road has resulted in six major accidents thus far. The final nominee also falls into this last category: Krystal McCann, who Andrew and the experts believe on first glance is the most dangerous driver ever in rehab, as she seems to have no regard for the safety of herself or of others on the road, she believing her driving not a problem as she has not killed anyone. Andrew does not believe she is inherently a bad person when not behind the wheel, but he has the harshest words for her about her recklessness when behind the wheel. The nominees' first task is to do the approximate ninety minute drive on the predetermined route with their nominator in the back seat from Niagara Falls to the Drivers' Rehabilitation Centre at Dunnville Airport. The belief by those associated with the show of Krystal's extreme dangerousness on the road is so strong that no cameraperson is willing to accompany her on this drive. At the Centre, the nominees are then subjected to an assessment drive, consisting of a reversing section which includes both straightaways and slight curves, a tight maneuvering section through a concrete-barriered course, and a slalom which must be driven at 50kph. The eight then meet the expert panel for the first time, the panel who provide their initial thoughts.