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ICBC to open road testing to all customers this month

ICBC states that the decision builds upon the successful reopening of commercial vehicle road tests in June, in line with B.C.'s Restart Plan.
Elana Shepert
Elana Shepert
driving-test
Photo: Driving test/Getty Images

ICBC has announced that it is continuing to expand its road testing by opening it up to all customers through a phased approach.

In a release, the company states that the decision builds upon the successful reopening of commercial vehicle road tests in June, in line with B.C.'s Restart Plan.

ICBC adds that the road test plan will help British Columbians get the vital services they need while ensuring important health and safety protocols can be implemented, monitored and maintained as testing increases.

However, ICBC's plan is contingent on the state of the pandemic in the province. As a result, it may be adjusted based on the need to ensure the ongoing health and safety of both customers and staff. Specifically, the ongoing availability of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is a key factor that ICBC is monitoring at this time.

  • Motorcycle road tests: available as of July 8; customers may book online.

  • Recreational Trailer (Class 4 and 5 endorsement) road tests: available as of July 8; customers may call ICBC (1-800-950-1498) to book an appointment.

  • Priority testing for essential health care workers and first responders who require a licence for work; workers may call ICBC today (1-800-950-1498) to book. Information will be requested to establish eligibility.

  • Private Passenger Vehicle (Class 5 and 7) road tests:

    • Priority testing for customers with tests cancelled between March 17 and March 30; ICBC will start calling customers this week to rebook; road tests to begin July 20.

    • Following this first grouping, ICBC will then be prioritizing the re-booking of customers who had road tests cancelled after March 30. It is expected that these customers will be able to re-book through the month of August.

    • More details on the timing for new road test bookings will be provided in the following weeks.

  • Enhanced Road Assessments: ICBC will call to rebook customers whose assessments were cancelled between March 17 and March 30. All other customers requiring a medical fitness assessment will receive a letter from RoadSafetyBC.

  • Commercial road tests (Class 1 – 4), motorcycle skills tests, and knowledge tests are available for booking.

  • Other services: ICBC's offices have remained open during the pandemic while also offering customers the option to renew a 90-day temporary driver's licence by phone. To manage the demand and volume of customers in an office at any given time, ICBC is also looking to move to an appointment system for in-office visits, including driver licence renewals. More information will be provided when plans are finalized.

ICBC has also offered a number of things to expect 

  • Making an appointment: Due to the expected high volume of calls, we ask for customers' patience during this time. Customers whose appointment was cancelled between March 17 and March 30 will not need to call – ICBC will call affected customers. For all other customers, they are strongly encouraged to book online if the option is available for their test type.

  • Before the appointment: Customers are asked to review the vehicle safety checklist and ensure that the interior of their vehicle is clean.

  • Upon arrival: Customers are asked to arrive on-time with the required identification. They will be asked a series of health screening questions and provided a mask that must be worn for the duration of the road test.

    Due to the nature of the motorcycle road test, riders will not be provided a mask, but will be required to wear a safety vest provided by ICBC, which will be sanitized before each use.

  • Testing: Driver examiners will continue to conduct road tests from inside the customer's vehicle to ensure the examiner is able to fully assess the customer's driving skills and to take control of the vehicle in the event of an emergency. Driver examiners will wear appropriate PPE during the test.

    For motorcycle road tests, the testing environment remains unchanged. The examiner rides behind the rider in a car, speaking to the rider by two-way radio.

For more information on ICBC's services during the pandemic, visit: https://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/contact-us/Pages/covid-19.aspx