"Canadian Tire Drivers Academy" revolutionizes driver education by combining road safety and car maintenance education, a new vehicle fleet, complimentary roadside assistance and discounts on automotive services and products

TORONTO, June 21, 2012 /CNW/ - Canadian Tire today launched a revolution in new driver training with Canada's newest driving school, the "Canadian Tire Drivers Academy™."  The Canadian Tire Drivers Academy offers among the most competitive and valuable suite of benefits of any driver training program in Canada.

Students will benefit from experienced and licensed driving instructors, new classrooms and hands-on car maintenance training from certified mechanics.  Students will learn to drive in new 2012 Chevrolet Cruze or Sonic cars that are also available for road tests.

Graduates of the Canadian Tire Drivers Academy will receive a Canadian Tire Drivers Club Membership™ that includes complimentary Canadian Tire Roadside Assistance^® for one year and numerous discounts and offers on auto products and services.

Initially launching as a pilot program in Ontario, the Canadian Tire Drivers Academy is setting a new industry benchmark in driver education.

"The Canadian Tire Drivers Academy is a natural extension of our 90-year history in the automotive parts and service business," said Allan MacDonald, Senior Vice President, Automotive at Canadian Tire. "This is a state-of-the-art driving school model that will give new drivers the tools they need to drive safely and help keep their car in good maintenance from day one."

Classes will launch in Toronto on August 13 near the Leslie and Lakeshore Canadian Tire store. Other locations are currently being reviewed in Ontario and across Canada.

The Canadian Tire Drivers Academy is an Ontario Ministry of Transportation approved Beginner Drivers Education course provider.

For more information on the Canadian Tire Drivers Academy or to register, please visit canadiantire.ca/driversacademy or call 1-855-61-DRIVE (37483).

About Canadian Tire
Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited (TSX: CTC.a) (TSX: CTC) is one of Canada's most-shopped general retailers and the country's largest sporting goods retailer, with more than 1,700 retail and gasoline outlets from coast-to-coast. Our primary retail business categories - Automotive, Living, Fixing, Sports, Playing and Apparel - are supported and strengthened by our Financial Services division, which offers such products and services as Canadian Tire Home Services, credit cards, retail deposits, in-store financing, product warranties, and insurance. Nearly 68,000 people are employed across the Canadian Tire enterprise, which was founded in 1922 and remains one of Canada's most recognized and trusted brands.

2012 Chevy Sonic, 2012 Chevy Cruze and the Chevrolet Bow Tie design are trademarks of General Motors LLC, used under licence to Canadian Tire Financial Services Limited, carrying on business as Canadian Tire Drivers Academy.

Image with caption: "Allan MacDonald, Senior Vice President of Automotive at Canadian Tire launches the Canadian Tire Drivers Academy in Toronto on Thursday, June 21. The Canadian Tire Drivers Academy combines road safety and car maintenance education. (CNW Group/CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120621_C3021_PHOTO_EN_15445.jpg

Image with caption: "A Canadian Tire Drivers Academy instructor demonstrates car maintenance to a student. The Canadian Tire Drivers Academy combines road safety and car maintenance education. (CNW Group/CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120621_C3021_PHOTO_EN_15447.jpg