What to bring to an in-person ICBC knowledge test
If you take the knowledge test at a driver licensing office rather than online at home, most of what can go wrong happens before the test starts: the wrong ID, a missing consent form, arriving too late. Here is the list, with where each item comes from.
Book first
ICBC's booking page says appointments are required for knowledge tests (ICBC: Book a knowledge test). Its "Get your L" page is softer and says you may need to book depending on the location (ICBC: Get your L). Booking is the safe assumption. Depending on where you live, the nearest office may be an ICBC office, a Service BC centre or a driver licensing agent, and each books appointments its own way (ICBC). ICBC offices also take walk-ins when they can, but you may wait a long time or not be served that day (ICBC).
Two pieces of ID
You need two pieces of ID: a primary one and a secondary one (ICBC: Accepted ID). Each must be an original, or a copy certified as true by the government agency that issued it; ordinary photocopies are refused (ICBC). If a document is not in English, it has to be translated by an ICBC-approved translator first (ICBC).
If you were born outside Canada, your legal name on your licence comes from your most recent Canadian immigration document, such as a study or work permit, a Permanent Resident card or a citizenship certificate (ICBC). ICBC has an online question tool on the same page that tells you which ID to bring. It is worth the two minutes.
If you are under 19
Bring a custodial parent or legal guardian (ICBC: Get your L; Learn to Drive Smart, p.137), or a signed and witnessed parent or guardian consent form instead (ICBC: Get your L). The guide mentions only the parent or guardian, not the form.
Fees
You pay for the knowledge test and for the learner's licence. ICBC's fee page lists $15 per knowledge test attempt (free for seniors 65+) and $10 for the Class 7 photo learner's licence (ICBC: Fees). If you already paid the test fee online, you only pay the licence fee at the office (Learn to Drive Smart, "What to take to the driver licensing office", inside front cover).
Glasses
The office checks your vision before issuing a licence. If you wear glasses or contacts for driving, bring them (Learn to Drive Smart, p.137).
When to arrive
ICBC gives three timing rules, and they do not all point the same way:
- The guide says to arrive at least one hour before the office closes (Learn to Drive Smart, p.137 and inside front cover).
- The booking page says to arrive no more than 10 minutes before your appointment, and further down, to arrive 15 minutes ahead (ICBC).
In practice: book a slot that is well before closing time, and arrive a little early.
During the test
At an office you answer on a touch screen, and you can choose to hear each question read aloud (ICBC: Get your L). You may not talk, use study materials or use any electronic device. ICBC lists examples of automatic fails: photographing the test, using a phone, smartwatch, earbuds or smart glasses, using an electronic translation dictionary, or bringing an answer key (ICBC). Leave the phone in your bag.
If you do not understand a question, a staff member can explain it in other words, without giving hints (Learn to Drive Smart, p.168).
Before you go
Most of the test is about rules and signs from Learn to Drive Smart. You can work through our free practice questions, which we wrote from that guide. They are our own questions, not ICBC's.