The only thing keeping a new B.C. driver away from independence on the road is the ICBC road test.
Currently, the demand for the tests have never been higher. Last month, a record 35,000 road tests were conducted throughout the province, and the monthly average was up 24 per cent.
害羞草研究所淣ot only are more drivers looking to get their B.C. driver害羞草研究所檚 licence than ever before, nearly half are failing to pass their first attempt at a road test,害羞草研究所� according to ICBC. 害羞草研究所淭hese drivers end up booking additional appointments, which puts further strain on road test availability.害羞草研究所�
害羞草研究所淚t can be a really nervous thing in your life,害羞草研究所� said Jerry Boal, manager of the North Vancouver driver害羞草研究所檚 office, who was also a driver examiner for many years. He encourages new drivers not to take their test until 害羞草研究所渢hey害羞草研究所檝e gained a lot of driving experience and feel confident about their skills.害羞草研究所�
Observations and speed maintenance are the main two reasons drivers fail their road tests reports Boal.
害羞草研究所淧eople really miss a lot of observations on their first times, even on a couple of other attempts because they害羞草研究所檙e not doing their observations on shoulder checks for lane changes, or pulling over and parking.害羞草研究所�
When it comes to speed maintenance, he says it 害羞草研究所渃an be a really huge factor in driving. People miss 30 km zones, miss the 50 km zones, their speed is inconsistent, too fast, too slow. Those two things I mentioned, they (drivers) can really work on them so they feel more confident. That害羞草研究所檒l be a huge step in the right direction.害羞草研究所�
The pandemic also played a part in increasing road test demand. Due to COVID-19 restrictions being lifted, ICBC had a huge influx of people over the last year doing their knowledge test.
害羞草研究所淭hat means there害羞草研究所檚 a huge influx of people doing their road tests, which is going on right now,害羞草研究所� said Boal.
On Vancouver Island, the monthly average was up 22 per cent in May for the amount of road tests conducted.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 a little bit better on the Island for first-timers,害羞草研究所� Boal said.
When it comes to driving on Vancouver Island, ICBC has conducted 15 per cent more road tests on the Island compared to the same period in 2018 to 2019, before the pandemic.
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