ICBC - Class 5 Road test fail

[fmk8890]

Hello,

I have a bit of a unique problem. We landed here with my husband's driving abstracts of over 10 years, from 2 different countries & ICBC allowed him to take Class 5 Road test. However, he has failed the test twice already.

As per the new rules, he now has to wait for 1 month before re-appearing. We have spent a lot of money on driving lessons and I can't understand what else we can do. Can someone who has passed their road test give a review/tips on passing the test?

He appeared for the tests in Lower Mainland centres. They say the failure rate here is as high as 31% but now I'm thinking it might be higher for class 5ers.

Thanks!

 

[Buletruck]

We encountered a similar issue with the test office in Alberta, High failure rate. We spent a Saturday afternoon following the instructors while they were on other tests and learned the route. Spent a couple of days practicing the route looking for potential problem areas (signage, school zones,etc) It helped immensely. That said, if he’s failing based on actual driving skills, that will be a different issue.

 

[foodie69]

Hello,

I have a bit of a unique problem. We landed here with my husband's driving abstracts of over 10 years, from 2 different countries & ICBC allowed him to take Class 5 Road test. However, he has failed the test twice already.

As per the new rules, he now has to wait for 1 month before re-appearing. We have spent a lot of money on driving lessons and I can't understand what else we can do. Can someone who has passed their road test give a review/tips on passing the test?

He appeared for the tests in Lower Mainland centres. They say the failure rate here is as high as 31% but now I'm thinking it might be higher for class 5ers.

Thanks!

Did they give a reason as to why he failed? Speeding? Too slow? No shoulder checks and the like? I mean it really is not that difficult..

 

[Buletruck]

I mean it really is not that difficult..

I dunno. Some of these testing facilities seem to have a license to print money on re-tests. The test the wife took when she came included a route that had “questionable” signage on some parts (a stop sign hidden by a hedge that you couldn’t see until you passed it and a school zone on a road that was marked the block before you turned onto it, but no where else) that seems to be obvious traps to catch people.

 

[fmk8890]

I dunno. Some of these testing facilities seem to have a license to print money on re-tests. The test the wife took when she came included a route that had “questionable” signage on some parts (a stop sign hidden by a hedge that you couldn’t see until you passed it and a school zone on a road that was marked the block before you turned onto it, but no where else) that seems to be obvious traps to catch people.

I have to say I can’t really comment on how fair the fails were, all I want to know is if aomeone could recommend a driving school that has a better rate of passes, or certain pitfalls to avoid. Living in Vancouver is really hard without a car. We have the finances to buy one, just not a license.

 

[mad_hatter]

It is not surprising that he failed. Driver examiners are very strict in following the rules. People with a lot of driving experience tend to pick up a lot of bad driving habits. Small things such as shoulder checks, proper following distances, not stop pass the stop lines, signal when turning, etc. might not seem important, but failing to do them will cause you to fail the exam. I have been driving for 20+, however, if I am to take the driver exam tomorrow, I will likely fail.

 

[fmk8890]

Here’s an update! So he finally passed it. Took 2 classes from an ICBC approved school which cost about $95 each plus car on road test day was an extra $110. The instructor figured out that he was not great on doing 360 degree checks and wouldn’t look at his rear view mirrors every 5-8 seconds. She also said he had to act like a novice and not an experienced driver with over 11 years of experience. So here we go!

 

[canuck78]

Always a good idea to take a 1 hour driving lesson to brush up on skills that are on the test that require certain techniques. May sound like an uneccesary expense but may end up being cheaper in the end.

 

[Istanbullover]

Anyone could book a road test for this month or next? We closest appointments are end of July right now, it is ridiculous. I hAve been checking more than 10 times a day to see if anyone canceled and i can take it but nothing.. i took first test on dec, failed. Booked on March and failed again, now i have to wait 3 more months for the other one.

 

[fmk8890]

Anyone could book a road test for this month or next? We closest appointments are end of July right now, it is ridiculous. I hAve been checking more than 10 times a day to see if anyone canceled and i can take it but nothing.. i took first test on dec, failed. Booked on March and failed again, now i have to wait 3 more months for the other one.

You need to check early in the morning like 4 am. And keep checking daily. Btw which ICBC branch are u trying to book for? And whos your driving instructor?

 

[Istanbullover]

You need to check early in the morning like 4 am. And keep checking daily. Btw which ICBC branch are u trying to book for? And whos your driving instructor?

Lol i am checking all the time but nothing appears. I took the other 2 exams at Burnaby so want to take there again since i am familiar with road. Spent so much money with instructors and renting car for the exam so I really need to pass

 

[fmk8890]

Lol i am checking all the time but nothing appears. I took the other 2 exams at Burnaby so want to take there again since i am familiar with road. Spent so much money with instructors and renting car for the exam so I really need to pass

I’m sure you will this time. The exact same thing happened to my husband but he passed eventually through an instructor who made sure he practices enough and doesnt repeat the mistakes he was making. Driving in Canada is totally different compared to other countries in Asia & ME.

 

[Istanbullover]

I’m sure you will this time. The exact same thing happened to my husband but he passed eventually through an instructor who made sure he practices enough and doesnt repeat the mistakes he was making. Driving in Canada is totally different compared to other countries in Asia & ME.

Who is the instructor? Can you send me the info?

 

[fmk8890]

Who is the instructor? Can you send me the info?

Sure its Valley driving school. He took his classes from Rochelle. But you could choose whomever their curriculum is the same. You could check them out. https://www.valleydrivingschool.com/

 

[fmk8890]

We tried all the cheap options that asked for 40 dollars an hour. They knew zilch about what the ICBC instructors want from us on the test day. So I recommend spilling some money on this because your future depends on it. Vancouver isnt really that accessible from sky trains and transit.