The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) has reported a historic surge in the number of British Columbians seeking to obtain their driver's licenses as the demand for road tests reaches record highs.
The Crown-owned insurer said it conducted 35,500 road tests last month, a 24% increase compared to May 2022.
It saw a 33% overall increase in the number of road tests conducted over the last 12 months, surpassing pre-pandemic figures.
In the Lower Mainland region alone, which includes Vancouver and its surrounding areas, ICBC conducted a total of 247,770 road tests in the past year.
This indicates a 40% surge compared to the same period before the pandemic in 2018 to 2019, according to the insurer.
Jerry Boal, ICBC driver licensing office manager, said the surge in demand for road tests was unsurprising considering the impact of the COVID-19 lockdowns.
“We did see a huge break during COVID, of course,” he told CityNews. “That was a massive time when a lot of people weren’t getting out there and doing things.”
Boal said there was a surge in knowledge tests as lockdowns restrictions lifted in 2022, leading to the subsequent increase in road tests this year.
In its report, ICBC also revealed that nearly half of all test-takers fail their road test on the first attempt, placing further strain on test availability. Some of the most common reasons for failure among first-time takers include a lack of observation and neglect of speed changes.
“We encourage drivers to take their road test when they've gained a lot of driving experience and feel confident about their skills,” Boal said. “If you come prepared for your road test, you have a much better chance of succeeding. This helps you avoid another wait for an appointment, and helps other drivers get an appointment sooner.”
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