Changes made to Ontario driver testing policy

TORONTO – DriveTest, the private operator of Ontario’s driver examination centers has introduced several changes to its road test cancellation policy.

Effective Nov. 28, 2005, all road test fees must be paid before a driver may schedule a road test appointment. If the driver fails to attend or fail to cancel at least 48 hours in advance of the road test, the prepaid road test fee will be lost.

However, road test fees will not be lost, if the appointment was cancelled within three days due to inclement weather. After three business days, proof must be provided (e.g. newspaper article covering extreme bad weather on date of appointment). Also, a death in the immediate family or sickness/injury will excuse the driver.

Furthermore, if one of several dozen listed vehicle defects are identified, the road test will be cancelled and the driver will lose half of the road test fee, and must pay the remaining 50 percent to reschedule another appointment.

Such cases include: Truck does not comply with the class A minimum vehicle configuration requirement; brake found out-of-adjustment during air brake practical; missing seat belt (applicant or examiner); non-functional brake, head lights or turn signals; non-functional windshield wipers or no washer fluid if weather conditions warrant; non-functional horn or speedometer; damaged windshield: no mirror; more than one wheel nut missing on a wheel; obvious fuel or air leaks; even and unclean vehicle that poses health risk to examiner. (Go to www.drivetest.ca/en/needtoknow.aspx) for the complete list of possible infractions.

Road test appointments will be cancelled and may be rescheduled at no charge if: The vehicle will not start; driver falls ill during the road test; involved in a ‘not at fault’ collision during road test; vehicle defect becomes apparent during the test; outstanding fees owing to MTO prevents road test from proceeding.