Kamloops driving instructors ease into new world of online knowledge tests

The changes took effect on Tuesday (June 9), but the operators of some driving schools in Kamloops are not totally on board yet.

“We don’t want people fluking their way through the test without truly, really knowing the rules of the road,” Calum MacMillan, the franchise owner of Young Drivers of Canada in Kamloops and Kelowna said.

“We live in a time now where only three per cent of the drivers who get licences in the province actually take a full driving program. The concern is if we have fewer people knowing the rules of the road, road safety could take a hit.”

MacMillan said there are pros and cons to the move – the pros being the ease of access for people who live far away from an ICBC office. The cons, however, include the potential for cheating.

“Obviously, ICBC has got some safeguards, like they’re going to track the mouse movement. They’re going be making sure they take pictures through their process to make sure it is the same person taking the test. That it’s a well-lit room… but people are innovative.”

“The online test has the exact same standards as the in-person portion with innovative safeguards that maintain the test’s integrity while protecting people’s privacy,” added Sharma, when speaking to the concerns.

ICBC president Jason McDaniel added the testing system also monitors the mouse clicks during the test.

“You have to stay within the screen and it monitors that no one else is in the room,” McDaniel said.

The online test will cost as much as the in-person version at $15, and it will still require applicants to correctly answer 40 out of 50 questions.

“Bringing the knowledge test online is the first step in transforming driver licensing in B.C.,” McDaniel said. “We’re also looking ahead to offering online renewals and replacements for B.C. driver’s licences and BCIDs starting in 2027, as we continue to put our customers at the centre of everything we do.”

Officials at Henderson’s Driving School and Dallas Driving School weren’t available for on-camera interviews this week, but they weren’t as enthusiastic about the changes. Both said they’d prefer if people were made to do their knowledge tests in person as people who pass still need to go into an ICBC office to confirm their identities, complete vision tests and have their photo taken.

MacMillan also didn’t see a need for this change, but he’s willing to see how things unfold.

“We’re taking a wait-and-see approach to see what the results are,” he said. “This is all brand new information so we just have to see how the process goes and whether we are seeing a lot of issues with it.”

“In about a year or two’s time we’ll have much better information about whether it was a positive or negative change.”

– With files from The Canadian Press

by Victor Kaisar

Kamloops driving instructors ease into new world of online knowledge tests

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