Did you know? ICBC moved the Abbotsford driver licence office in 2016. It's in the plaza at the northwest corner of Clearbrook Rd. and South Fraser Way.
Tips for passing the British Columbia driving test
- Make sure to take the same ID that you took in when you did your learners test. Also, be sure you know your security keyword -- usually your mother's maiden name unless you chose to use something else when ICBC asked you.
- Ensure that payment of fees will not be a problem (and if you have an ICBC debt outstanding, such as an unpaid seat belt fine or "no L-sign" ticket, this has to be paid before the test can be done).
- Also, the vehicle must not have mechanical defects. (Does the parking brake work? Brake lights and signal lights? Headlights? Is there a crack in the windshield at eye level? Are the tires okay? Also you can't have illegal dark tint on the front door windows.) You don't need to be sent home before the test even starts.
- Before going in for the test, drive around in the area first. Don't do the test cold. Also, if you drive first, the seat and mirrors will already be correctly adjusted when the test starts.
- When you arranged your appointment, you were told to show up fifteen minutes early. If you have an 8:30 road test appointment, keep in mind that the doors don't usually open much before 8:30. Depending on where your ICBC office is located, you could end up waiting outside in the rain for fifteen minutes for nothing.
- When you enter the office, look up for overhead signs telling you where the road test counter is. Don't end up standing in the lineup for people who need to change their address or renew a licence.
- As the test begins, the examiner will advise you that you'll be expected to go straight ahead at any intersection unless you are told to turn left or right. But look for regulatory traffic signs or road markings that tell you to turn left or right, or say "Do Not Enter." The examiner will not remind you to turn if the sign or marking says that you must.
- Drive normally. Don't drive faster or slower, or try to put on a show. For any task or maneuver there is always an optimal speed, neither too fast nor too slow, which allows you to get all the details right. Even in the different forms of parking, a speed slightly too fast makes the maneuver seem hurried and disorienting. You're the boss of the car, not the other way around.
- You've probably heard that shoulder checking is extremely important in the test (as is correct speed). If you're not completely clear on where, when and why you need to shoulder check, this will be big trouble in the test. Though not a substitute for proper instruction, help is available via the "Shoulder-checking" link in the menu above.
You will be assured by the examiner at the beginning that you will not be tricked, and, contrary to what your friends may have told you, this assurance is the truth. But what does happen is that sometimes people being tested don't listen carefully enough to directions... or, they thought they were going to be told something, and it was different from what they anticipated... and then a misunderstanding followed. The point, simply, is to listen attentively.
- About parking... in the Class 7 test you only do one parallel park - whether it's good or bad, when it's done you move on. A good park is one in which you are observant of what is around the car, and you remain in control. How nice the park looks when you're finished is secondary - it could be directly next to the curb but you still failed the maneuver by not observing safely. (But... failing the maneuver doesn't mean failing the whole test, unless there was a dangerous action involved.) Remember also that when you arrive back at the licensing office you must back your car into a parking stall, so be sure to practise that, as it's just as important as the parallel park. And remember, too, that if the examiner does the complete test, you have to do two hill parks, one uphill and one downhill, which means that hill parking is twice as important in the test as parallel parking.
- If you're aware that you've made a mistake (even turning opposite to the way the examiner asked) you need to focus on the job of driving safely. But how to do that??? Keep planning your next moves, so you won't make further errors that wipe out your confidence.
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Highly recommended -
ICBC has an online practice quiz for people getting ready for their road test.
The Road Ready Quiz, in multiple choice format, helps prevent important errors that people often make in the road test.
Here's an actual question from the quiz:
Is it better to exaggerate or make longer shoulder checks so your examiner sees your actions and knows that you're not missing anything?
A. Yes, make long shoulder checks for the examiner to see.
B. Yes, make both long shoulder and mirror checks.
C. No, just do quick mirror checks and keep your eyes on the road.
D. No, make timely and appropriate shoulder checks while driving.
The correct answer is D.
ICBC explains: "Untimely or excessive shoulder checks take your eyes off important hazards in front and ahead of you. Your examiner will notice when you've checked appropriately."
Many people think the answer is A -- you hear it all the time. But it's bad advice.
So as we say, the quiz is recommended. By the way, if you repeat the exercise four or five times, some questions will appear more than once, but you will get fresh questions each time.
Here's a direct link.
http://apps.icbc.com/licensing/oprt/index.html