If you’re taking an ICBC examiner for a ride, ensure your vehicle is gassed up, you can see through the windshield and your vehicle’s horn works.
Those three items are among the public insurer’s Top 10 reasons why vehicles are rejected for road tests.
Ted Ockenden, ICBC’s Kamloops-based regional manager for licensing, said the the popular season for road tests is just around the corner.
The public insurer wants to get the word out that vehicles taken for road tests must pass muster before hitting the road.
Other reasons for failure include seatbelts that do not work, unsafe tires and dash warning lights being activated.
Those problems found during a pre-trip inspection mean the end of the ride before it begins.
That causes scheduling problems for ICBC and is a disheartening experience for drivers coming in for a test.
“It’s tough for our customers who are coming in psyched and ready to go,” Ockenden said, noting some vehicle issues, such as cracked windshields, are a judgment call.
The cracks cannot be so severe that the window is at risk of collapse, nor can cracks obscure visibility for the driver or examiner.
Dash warning lights, particularly the air bag, can also mean a vehicle cannot be taken for a road test.
Ockenden encourages those coming in for a test to bring their vehicle by the Sahali office at 937 Concordia Way (1-888-715-7775) for a pre-trip inspection to clear any potential issues.
Here are ICBC’s Top 10 reasons why a vehicle may not be accepted for a road test:
1. Dash warning lights (i.e. air bag) that affect the safe operation of the vehicle
2. Brake lights, signal lights or headlights not working or with badly cracked or missing lenses
3. Unsafe tires
4. Doors or windows not operating (i.e. doors won’t open from the inside)
5. Cracked or illegally tinted windows.
6. Horn not working
7. Empty gas tank
8. Vehicle not properly licensed or insured
9. Seatbelts not working or frayed
10. Unsafe or illegal vehicle modifications
WE TOOK THE TEST
The ICBC practice learner’s test can be taken online by clicking here.
It consists of 25 questions pertaining to rules of the road, with various scenarios presented.
The quiz is multiple choice, with 80 per cent (20 out of 25 correct) the minimum score needed to pass.
The KTW newsroom, replete with neophyte and veteran drivers, took the test.
Suffice it to say, some of the scribes would be taking the bus today if these scores were enforced.
Cam Fortems
Years driving: 34
Issuing province: B.C.
Test score: 96%
Fortems blew away the competition. With his score, it’s not surprising his off-duty hobby is seeking out intersections during power outages and performing his patented traffic-cop routine.
Adam Williams
Years driving: 14
Issuing province: Alberta
Test score: 88%
Albertan drivers are often considered by British Columbians to be Wild West characters. Perhaps Williams’ time in Lotusland has improved his skills behind the wheel.
Dave Eagles
Years driving: 40
Issuing province: B.C.
Test score: 84%
As KTW photographer, Eagles drives more than most in the newsroom, so, logically, his score should be higher than average. However, all who have survived a ride with Eagles maintain there was an error in the software program when he took the test.
Andrea Klassen
Years driving: 14
Issuing province: Alberta
Test score: 80%
Of note is the fact Klassen scored on her L test two percentage points higher than Mayor Peter Milobar scored in the municipal election’s popular vote. So, Klassen could be the mayor — or the mayor’s driver.
Dale Bass
Years driving: 42
Issuing province: Ontario
Test score: 80%
Very impressive, considering Bass took her first test with Henry Ford in the instructor’s seat. We joke! Actually, Bass blamed the 20 per cent she missed on Stephen Harper.
Jessica Wallace
Years driving: 11
Issuing province: B.C.
Test score: 80%
Wallace passed the test with the lowest score possible. She channelled her inner Seattle Seahawk by displaying admirable humility to her peers: “See you suckers on the bus — as I’m driving past you!”
Marty Hastings
Years driving: 15
Issuing province: B.C.
Test score: 76%
Hastings failed the online practice exam, but is still bragging about the fact he aced his learner’s test on the first try in 2000.
Jessica Klymchuk
Years driving: 6
Issuing province: B.C.
Test score: 74%
The only KTW newsroom staffer with an N magnet, Klymchuk is now awaiting word from the superintendent of motor vehicles about whether her flunking the online test will result in her licence being revoked.
Tim Petruk
Years driving: 17
Issuing province: Alberta
Test score: 72%
Petruk managed to negate the gains made by fellow Albertans Williams and Klassen. Then again, he does drive a car made by a company that no longer exists.
Christopher Foulds
Years driving: 22
Issuing province: B.C.
Test score: 72%
Kamloops This Week has just replaced Foulds’ monthly car allowance with a BC Transit pass.
The post Going for a road test? Here’s what you need to know appeared first on Kamloops This Week.