How to Prepare for the ICBC Driving Test

If you’re planning to acquire a full driver’s license in British Columbia, you must first pass the ICBC driving test; unless you have a foreign driver’s license that is eligible to be swapped. Anyway, if you’re scheduled to take the ICBC road test with a learner’s or novice driver’s license, it’s crucial that you prepare for it adequately so you have a higher chance of success.

In this article, we’ll tell you how you should prepare for the ICBC driving test. Let’s get down to it.

Prepare for the ICBC Driving Test

Familiarize Yourself with the Drivers Handbook

Before you acquire a learner’s license in British Columbia, you first need to pass the knowledge test by correctly answering 80 percent of the questions. However, just because you passed the knowledge test, it doesn’t mean you don’t need a refresher course of the British Columbia driver’s handbook a few weeks before the ICBC road test. This is because everything that you will be evaluated on during the ICBC driving test is already covered in the official driver’s handbook.

Of course, you should make sure the driver’s handbook you’re reading is relevant to your category of license. For instance, if you’re taking the motorcycle road test, you should read the B.C motorcycle handbook, and if you want to become a commercial driver, the commercial vehicle handbook will help you out.

Enroll in a Driving School

In British Columbia, you’re not legally required to enroll in a driving school. However, candidates who complete an approved driver’s ed course have a higher first-attempt success rate compared to new drivers who didn’t enroll in driving school. Not to mention, you can take the advanced road test after 18 months if you’ve enrolled in an ICBC-approved driving school; instead of waiting for 24 months to qualify for the road test.

Do a Mock Test

A few weeks before the ICBC driving test, you can do a mock test with an instructor. This will help you to know what to expect during the road test. During the mock test, your instructor can rely on the actual results marking sheet that is usually used during the driving test to evaluate your skills. Please note that if you fail one section of the mock test, you need to retake another day since that means you could flunk the entire driving test.

Once you’ve passed the mock test at least 3 times consecutively, it means you’re ready for the ICBC driving test.

Learn The Most Common Mistakes to Avoid

Did you know that even a single critical mistake can make you fail the ICBC road test? Because of that, you should take advantage of the mock test to identify the mistakes you should avoid during the B.C road test.

Some of the most common mistakes you should avoid include:

  • Improper lane changes.
  • Driving too slow or too fast.
  • Not paying attention while driving.
  • Making a rolling stop.
  • Not doing proper shoulder checks.
  • Making wide turns.
  • Getting too nervous behind the wheel.

Prepare Your Driving Test Vehicle

Since you will be required to take the driving test using your vehicle, you should make sure it will pass the pre-inspection test. For that reason, we recommend you check the following things on your vehicle.

  • Working seatbelts.
  • Functioning doors and windows.
  • The windshield or windows shouldn’t be cracked or tinted.
  • Functioning horn, headlights, signal lights, and brake lights.
  • Legal vehicle modifications.
  • No warning lights on the dashboard that indicate the vehicle is faulty.
  • Valid car insurance.
  • Canadian license registration.
  • Roadworthy tires.
  • Sufficient fuel or electric charge for the driving test.

Keep in mind that your driving test vehicle should be clean with no scent or odor. Also, don’t leave any items on the car that might cause the examiner to think you’re disorganized. 

In case you’re wondering, you can bring a vehicle equipped with GPS and navigation system but it should be deactivated during the driving test. It’s also okay to use a backup camera during the driving test but the examiner will expect you to observe manually when you’re reversing.

Complete the Road Test Card

If you have any queries, you can print the road test card, and submit your questions to the examiner before the ICBC road test. The road test card also includes tips that could help you out during the road test. In addition to that, the road test card lets the examiner know what would make you comfortable during the driving test. For instance, if you don’t want the examiner to rush you during the ICBC driving test, you can request him/her to be patient with you on the road test card.

Of course, if you have other questions that are not highlighted on the road test card, you can ask the examiner directly before you start the ICBC driving test. Otherwise, don’t forget to bring your verification documents to the driving test appointment.