ICBC Road Test Guide (Class 7 & Class 5)

1. What to expect on your road test

The road test starts with a pre-trip safety check. The examiner checks that your vehicle is safe and insured, asks you to locate controls (horn, turn signals, lights) and to demonstrate hand signals ^[3]. If anything is unsafe (seatbelts not working, cracked windshield, warning lights or unsafe tires), the test can’t continue ^[2]. Bring one primary and one secondary ID and make sure you arrive at your check-in time ^[2].

During the test, the examiner gives clear directions with enough time to complete them and never asks you to break the law ^[1]. You can ask questions before the test or ask them to repeat an instruction ^[3]. The test takes about 30–45 minutes ^[3]. All electronic devices (GPS, dash cams, phones) must be turned off—using them can cancel your test ^[2].

Examiners will watch how you handle intersections, lane changes, merging, pulling into and out of traffic, angled and parallel parking, hill parking and hill starts, backing up, two- and three-point turns, and how you respond to emergency vehicles ^[3]. They may also ask you to identify potential hazards (hazard perception) ^[1].

2. What examiners look for

Observation skills

According to ICBC’s driver examiner, many failures result from poor observation—especially missing shoulder checks or skipping the 360-degree check when reversing ^[3]. Always:

• Scan intersections before entering ^[3].
• Mirror → signal → shoulder check whenever you change lanes or direction ^[3].
• Do a 360° check before parallel parking, reverse stall parking and backing up ^[5].
• Perform a right-shoulder check before turning right (watch for cyclists and pedestrians) ^[3].

Speed control

ICBC cautions that speeding is a very common error ^[3]. You must maintain the posted speed limit and adjust for conditions:

• Keep to 30 km/h in school and playground zones ^[3].
• Watch for construction zones and changing speed signs ^[1].
• Control your speed on hills (speed can increase quickly) and come to smooth stops at intersections ^[4].

Driving too slowly can also cost points ^[3]. Use the gas, brakes and gears smoothly and keep a consistent speed ^[5].

Space and lane discipline

Examiners look for safe space margins and lane positioning ^[5]. Keep a safe following distance, choose a safe lane, and stay within it. When merging or pulling into traffic, select a safe gap ^[1]. Make full stops at stop signs and stop lines ^[1], and wait your turn at four-way stops.

Steering and vehicle control

Keep both hands on the wheel and steer smoothly ^[5]. Avoid turning too wide or too short ^[3], and recover the steering wheel smoothly after a turn. Practise angled, parallel and reverse stall parking until they feel natural ^[4].

Communication

Use signals and hand signals correctly, make eye contact when necessary and tap the horn or flash your brake lights if needed to communicate ^[5].

3. Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Not observing properly: Failing to shoulder check, skipping the 360-degree check or not scanning intersections is one of the biggest causes of failure ^[3].
• Speeding or going too slowly: Examiners penalize speeding, especially in school/playground zones ^[3] and also mark down for excessively slow driving ^[3].
• Not yielding or making full stops: Many drivers roll through stop signs or fail to yield the right of way ^[1].
• Poor lane discipline: Drifting out of your lane, cutting corners or changing lanes without signalling ^[3].
• Over-reliance on technology: You must turn off GPS, dash cams and other devices ^[2]; reverse cameras are allowed only as a tool—look back when reversing ^[3].

4. How to prepare

Practise frequently

ICBC’s examiner says the number-one way to succeed is to “drive, drive and drive some more” ^[3]. Every trip—whether to the grocery store or across town—builds confidence. Practise in different conditions (rain, night, heavy traffic) and perform all the manoeuvres you’ll do on the test ^[3].

Taking a few lessons with an ICBC-approved driving school can be very beneficial ^[4]. Instructors will refine your skills and correct bad habits.

Use ICBC guides and practice sessions

Two official manuals are essential: Learn to Drive Smart (rules, signs and safe driving) ^[6] and Tuning Up for Drivers, which contains 20 practice sessions and a pre-trip checklist ^[5]. The guide outlines key smart-driving skills: observation, hazard perception, speed control, steering, space margins and communication ^[5]. It also emphasizes walking around your vehicle before you drive to ensure there are no problems that could leave you stranded ^[5].

Practise advanced manoeuvres

ICBC’s tips for road test success recommend warming up by driving to your test location and practising challenging manoeuvres like parallel and reverse-stall parking until they feel smooth ^[4]. Using the same vehicle you’ll take on the test can boost your confidence ^[4].

5. Vehicle and pre-trip checklist

Before your test, ensure you have the right documents and a safe vehicle:

• Bring one primary and one secondary ID and payment for the test ^[2].
• Use a safe, reliable, insured vehicle with a Canadian plate and full tank or charge ^[2].
• Interior must be clean and scent-free ^[2].
• Turn off GPS and any recording devices—dash cams, phones, cameras—before the test begins ^[2].
• Check the car: seat belts working, brake lights, headlights and signals working, horn works, tires safe, no cracked or illegal windshield tint, no warning lights on the dash and doors/windows operate properly ^[2].
• Know your controls: horn, headlights/high beams, hazard lights, windshield wipers, parking brake and hand signals ^[3].

Walk around the vehicle before you get in to make sure all is clear—no children, animals, bicycles or obstacles ^[5].

6. Test-day tips

• Warm up your driving muscles: Drive to your test location and practise manoeuvres in the area ^[4].
• Arrive early: Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your appointment ^[4] so you can relax and be in the right frame of mind.
• Stay calm: Normal nerves are okay. Take deep breaths, focus on your preparation and remember you can ask your examiner to repeat directions ^[3].
• Use your vehicle: Use the same car you practised with, if possible, to feel more comfortable ^[4].
• After the test: The examiner will review your performance and may provide a “skills explainer” form with feedback. Use it to practise and improve before retaking the test ^[2].