B.C. truckers to face tougher licence test

VANCOUVER (May 31) — Anyone seeking a licence to drive a truck, bus, or taxi in British Columbia will face strict new standards and tougher tests starting today in what’s being called the biggest upgrade in commercial vehicle testing standards in B.C. since the 1970s.

The new testing requirements apply to applicants for a Class 1 through Class 4 licence, said the Insurance Corp. of British Columbia, which oversees driver licensing in the province.

Besides a more challenging written test, ICBC has stiffened requirements for the road test. Applicants now must conduct a thorough pre-trip inspection as part of their examination, use a loaded vehicle, and suffer greater penalties for poor performance.

The new policy also restricts applicants who have a poor driving record. Drivers with more than three traffic violations in the past two years resulting in driver penalty points, or a vehicle-related Criminal Code conviction in the past three years, will not be eligible for a commercial learner’s permit.

The new regime is based on recommendations from a 1997 government-industry task force on truck safety.