Road Test

 

Preparing for your driver’s license road test:

Study Tuning up for Drivers and review Learn to Drive Smart (formerly RoadSense for Drivers) prior to your road test. The road test will consist of a pre-trip check, on-road maneuvers and the feedback session with the driver examiner. B.C. driver licensing tests are based on research. They are thorough and comprehensive. Use Tuning Up for Drivers to work through the lessons. Review Learn to Drive Smart (formerly RoadSense for Drivers) for the rules and regulations of driving in B.C., including road signs and traffic signals. Watch B.C.: Safe Drivers Wanted—it’s a video at your local library about the road test.

Are you prepared?
If so, book a road test online. The road test is made up of 3 parts:
Part 1 Pre-trip check. Be prepared to do a pre-trip check with your examiner. See below...
Part 2 On-road maneuvers test. During the road test, the examiner will direct you through a route that includes different driving environments.  See below...
Part 3 Feedback session. At the end of your road test, the examiner will spend time with you to explaining your results. See below...
Part 1: Pre-trip check of road testBefore you go out on the road, you should be able to show the examiner equipment such as turn signals high beams, and the parking brake. You should also be able to demonstrate hand signals.
Important! Your vehicle must pass a pre-trip safety inspection before going out on your road test.
Part 2: On-road maneuvers test
During the road test, the examiner will direct you through a route that includes different driving environments, such as city streets commercial areas, and/or highways. The route will also include different kinds of intersections, such as uncontrolled intersections, intersections with stop signs, and multi-lane intersections controlled by traffic lights. As you approach an intersection, continue straight through, obeying all the rules, unless the examiner tells you to turn left or right. He or she will give you plenty of warning. 

 

The examiner will not try to trick you or ask you to make illegal or unsafe actions.

Important! When approaching stopped emergency vehicles displaying flashing lights you are required to slow down and leave plenty of room. These include police cars, fire trucks, ambulances, tow trucks and vehicles used by vehicle inspectors, conservation officers, park rangers and special constables employed by the Ministry of Forests and Range. When approaching these vehicles: You must slow to 70 km/h on highways with speed limits of 80 km/h or over.
You must slow to 40 km/h if the speed limit is less than 80 km/h.
Along the way, you will be asked to perform various maneuvers within a reasonable amount of time. During each maneuver, the examiner will mark how well you use the key driving skills and perform the See-Think-Do strategy.
During the Class 7 or Class 5 road test you may be asked to perform some of the following maneuvers: intersection maneuvers (driving straight through, turning right, turning left), backing up, entering traffic, pulling over and stopping at the side of the road, changing lanes parking on a hill, starting on a hill, angle parking, parallel parking, stall parking (driving forward and backing up into a stall), two- and three-point turns, merging on and off a highway, general driving (e.g., driving straight, driving on hills and curves).

Not all maneuvers will be in every test.

These maneuvers are described fully in Tuning Up for Drivers and Learn to Drive Smart. Here are some hints to help you with your on-road maneuvers: See-Think-Do
See
Scan for hazards. Pay attention to other road users and the areas where hazards could occur.
Think
Decide which hazards are most dangerous. Think quickly about possible solutions. Decide on the safest solution.
Do
Do maneuvers to keep yourself and others safe. Key driving skills and hazard perception
Learning to identify hazards will help to keep you and others safe on the road. Key driving skills will be tested in your road test.

Observation

Know what is going on all around you by scanning the driving environment. Observe your blind spots and check your mirrors. Be sure to shoulder check every time you change lanes or turn.

Hazard perception

A hazard is anything in the driving environment that could result in harm to you or other road users. Train yourself to look for other road users and all objects or road surfaces that might cause problems for you or for others in the driving environment.
Examples include:
dangerous drivers, emergency vehicles, and motorcycles hidden pedestrians, blind driveways, and blind spots bicycles, animals, and pedestrians ice and snow, and rough road.

Space margins

A space margin is a safe area around your vehicle that gives you time to react. Always maintain a safe following distance and keep plenty of room around you, especially when turning.

Speed control

Maintain a safe speed and remember to slow down when conditions require more caution, such as in bad weather or when hazards or small children are near the road.

Steering

Whether you are keeping the same lane position, turning or keeping a steady line as you back up, the key to good steering is smooth and controlled handling.

Communication

Give clear signals well in advance and use hand signals if necessary, to ensure your signal is seen. Watch for communication from other road users.

Part 3: Feedback session of road test
At the end of your road test, the examiner will spend time with you to explaining your results. Make the most of the feedback session and ask questions if you don't understand something. Whether or not you pass the test, you will learn both positive aspects of your driving and areas where you can improve.