Carmen Cohoe, Author at BC Driving Blog

30Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

ICBC’s Class 7 New (N) Driver Restrictions Explained & FAQs

ICBC New Driver Restrictions Snapshot Class 7 "N" New Driver ICBC License Snapshot Drivers must have zero alcohol or drugs in their bodies while driving Drivers must clearly display the official ICBC "N" sign on the back of their vehicle No hand-held or hands-free electronic devices are permitted while driving One passenger only (immediate family exempt) unless with supervisor age 25+ with a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 license No Electronic Devices Class 7 ICBC Electronic Device Regulations No hand-held cell phones or other electronic devices No hands-free cell phones or other electronic devices Do not touch, operate, hold, or adjust your phone Bluetooth with the wireless headset is not allowed Using a speakerphone that can be operated with one touch or voice commands is not allowed Do…

29Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Turn Signals When Backing Up Your Vehicle

Parking & Backing

Turn Signals When Reversing Your Vehicle Are drivers supposed to signal when backing up? If so, which way? Even as we use turn signals while driving forward, we tend to confuse each other. This is clearly evident if you've ever driven anywhere. Question: When Backing Up, Which Signal Should I Use? When you back up, simply use the same kind of signals that you would if you were driving forward. In other words: Backing straight? Don't signal Backing to the right? Signal right Backing to the left? Signal left Do You Have To Use Your Blinker When Backing Out? Do you need to signal when pulling out of a parking space? You should use your turn signal before reversing out of a parking spot unless you 100% know for certain…

28Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

ICBC Road Test: Class 5 vs Class 7 Compared

Road Test & GLP

ICBC Road Test Class 7 - What Is It? The ICBC Class 7 test marks the leap from the 'L' (7L) phase to the 'N' (7N) stage, unlocking solo adventures on the open road along with different restrictions on the license. Class 5 Road Test ICBC - What Is It? The Class 5 license means you can say goodbye to the annoying restrictions of the "N" stage. Plus, if you ever get a ticket, for example, the punishments aren't as harsh. How Long Are the ICBC Road Tests? ICBC Class 7 Road Test They say the Class 7 test takes 45 minutes, but that includes all the time in the end for debriefing, going inside to do paperwork, etc. Usually, the actual driving time is about 30 minutes ICBC Class…

28Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Road Signs Of Canada

Signs, Lines and Traffic Lights

STOP SIGN3-WAY TAB4-WAY TABYIELDMAX SPEED AHEADMAX SPEEDMAX SPEED UNLESS POSTEDSPEED LIMIT ENDSSLOWER TRAFFIC KEEP RIGHTONE WAY DO NOT ENTERTWO WAY TRAFFICROAD CLOSEDLOCAL TRAFFIC ONLYSLOW VEHICLES PROHIBITEDKEEP RIGHTNO RIGHT TURNNO U-TURNDO NOT PASSSTOP LINE INDICATORTURN LEFT TURN LEFT OR RIGHT NO TURNS PASSING PERMITTEDTHIS LANE LEFT OR RIGHT THIS LANE THRU THIS LANE LEFTTHIS LANE THRU OR RIGHTTHIS LANE LEFT, THRU OR RIGHTTWO LANES LEFT LEFT LANE THRU, RIGHT LANE RIGHTLEFT LANE LEFT, RIGHT LANE LEFT OR THRUTWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE BEGINSTWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANE ENDSTWO-WAY LEFT TURN LANENO RIGHT TURN ON RED SIGNAL NO TRUCKSTRUCK ROUTENO BICYCLES RESERVED LANENO STOPPINGEMERGENCY PARKING ONLYHANDICAPPED PARKING ONLYNO STOPPING AVALANCHE AREACURVE WARNINGCURVE WARNINGREVERSE CURVE SWITCHBACK WINDING ROADCONCEALED CROSSROAD AHEADCONCEALED SIDE ROAD AHEAD"T" INTERSECTION AHEAD"Y" INTERSECTION AHEADRAILWAY CROSSING AHEADRAILWAY CROSSING AHEADRAILWAY CROSSING SIDE ROAD AHEADRAILWAY…

27Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Residential Streets & Speed Limits Guide For BC

Driving Skills

Wondering about Speed Limits in BC? Welcome to the article all about residential streets, and speed limits in British Columbia, Canada. Speed Limit Map BC Did you know you might be able to find a speed limit map on your mobile device? How to Enable Speed Limit Map on Android Open the Google Maps app and tap on your profile icon in the upper right corner, tap on Settings, Tap the toggle switch next to Speed limits, Tap on Navigation settings. What is the speed limit if not posted in BC? Unless otherwise posted, the speed limit inside a municipality is 50km an hour and outside is 80km an hour. Around schools and playgrounds, it's 30km an hour during posted hours. Police can ticket you if they believe you were driving…

26Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Crossing Borders: Can Canadians Drive in the US?

Insurance & Laws

Canadian Drivers in the US Are you wondering if Canadian drivers, like newbies with L (learner) or N (new driver) licenses, or experienced ones with Class 5 licenses, can drive into the United States for an exciting adventure? The good news is, yes, you can explore both Canada and the United States with these licenses. But here's the deal: You should always have your license with you, just in case someone needs to see it. Stick to the regular rules and restrictions that apply to your particular license type. And it's a smart move to learn about any special rules in the place you're going to in the United States. Some places have age restrictions for new and learner drivers. Let's dive into the details. You can drive in the…

25Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Stop Sign vs Stop Line – Stopping Guide For Drivers in BC

Driving Skills

Stop Sign vs Stop Line - Welcome to the Driver's Stop Sign & Stop Line Guide The stop sign intersection is a common type of intersection in British Columbia. These intersections are often considered not busy enough or not large enough to be controlled by a traffic signal (traffic light). However, they can still be busy and potentially dangerous. What does a stop sign mean? The stop sign is a regulation sign, literally meaning "stop your vehicle." Regulation signs tell drivers about various driving laws and regulations. It is an offense to disregard them. If you don't follow the instructions on any regulatory sign, you may receive fines or penalties. Check out my article on Canada Road Signs to learn more about the different types of road signs found in…

25Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

How to Turn Left at a Traffic Light Safely

Driving Skills

Turning Left Left turns are a necessary evil when driving a car. They can seem dangerous. They can seem complicated and nerve-wracking. But, they don't have to be. There are ways to make sure your left turns are safe, too. This article will dive deep into best practices, details, tidbits, practical, actionable steps you can take, and safety tips for how to turn left while driving at different kinds of intersections. Who has the right of way when turning left on a solid green light? Technically speaking, no one "has the right of way" until another road user has actually yielded. Thinking "I have the right of way," is a great way to get into a collision. Having said that, if it's just a regular ole green light intersection, then…

25Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

ICBC Drivers Abstract Online – How to Get Yours Fast & Easy

Insurance & Laws

ICBC Drivers Abstract Online What is an ICBC Drivers Abstract? It's simply your driving record Kind of like your report card for driving. It shows: The date your driver's license was first issued Driving tickets you have received in the last 5 years Any driving offenses you've received in the last 5 years To get your ICBC driving records To get your ICBC driver's abstract, simply head over to the ICBC website, and enter your driver's license number and name, ICBC keyword, date of issue, and card serial number (on the back of your driver's license). Then enter where you'd like the records to be emailed. You can have them emailed to yourself and/or directly to another email address of your choice (such as an employer). Within minutes, the email…

24Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Tips for Acing Your Class 5/7 ICBC Road Test

Road Test & GLP

How Many Mistakes Are Allowed on Road Test ICBC? Navigating the road test can be a bit like solving a puzzle – there's no fixed number of mistakes that spell failure anymore, thanks to changes by ICBC. Instead, it's all about the route you take. There are different routes, some with more right turns than others. The number of mistakes you're allowed on those right turns can vary too. Imagine this scenario: you're cruising along, making a right turn, and oops, you forget to do that all-important right shoulder check. Then, it happens again. And again. The examiner starts to notice a pattern, a glitch in the matrix that needs fixing. Now, you might think that missing a couple of right shoulder checks doesn't sound like a big deal –…

24Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

School Zones in British Columbia – 2024 Driver’s Guide

Driving Skills

What are the school zone hours in BC? School zone signs are in the shape of a house and are in effect 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM on school days unless otherwise posted, including posted summer school days. Are school zones in effect during summer in BC? Some school zones are in effect during summer in British Columbia. Those schools with summer school in session will have an obvious "summer school in session" sign attached to the school zone sign so that drivers don't need to be confused. Otherwise, school zones are not in effect during summer, winter, spring break, or other non-school days. Summer school in session sign Burnaby, British Columbia. What is the fine for speeding in a school zone in BC? Speeding in a school zone will…

23Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

No Parking No Stopping 2 Road Signs – What’s The Difference?

Signs, Lines and Traffic Lights

No Parking & No Stopping Road Signs What's the difference between "no stopping" and "no parking" road signs? No Stopping Road Signs "No stopping" literally means, do not stop your vehicle. It's kind of like the opposite of a stop sign. In other words, "Keep it moving." If it helps to imagine a "Go" sign inside your mind, then go for it. These "no stopping" signs are usually found on roads where it's not a particularly safe spot to be stopping, such as on a bridge, near a hill or curve, or on the highway when driving through one of those "avalanche zones," for example. Of course, you might actually have to stop there if there's a good reason, like a traffic jam, construction, or an incident. No Parking Road…

22Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Turning Corners Not Awesome? Stop Cutting & Turning Wide

Driving Skills

Turning Corners Not Awesome? Not To Worry Question On Turning Corners: 'Not Wide Enough' Question: I recently failed my driving test, one of the things I did badly was turning corners. I was turning left at a 90-degree angle. The examiner wrote "your turns are not wide enough" so does that mean I turned too early? If so, how do I know when I should start turning my wheel and how much? Should I drive a little bit before I start my turns? Would love your advice. What Does 'Cutting Corners' Mean? Yes, if you are turning corners and your turns are 'not wide enough' it means that you possibly 'cut the corner' or did not move far enough forward into the intersection before starting to turn the wheel. So, your…

22Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

ICBC Knowledge Test & Practice – Big Detailed Guide

Road Test & GLP

ICBC Knowledge Test Practice The ICBC knowledge test is basically a multiple-choice touch-screen kiosk test that you need to pass in order to qualify to get your 'L' (Learner's license). It's the first step to getting your driver's license. The test is done at an ICBC location. You need to get 40 out of 50 questions right. This test is to ensure that new drivers have a basic understanding of road rules - and safe driving behaviors - before they start driving with their supervisor. The minimum age to apply is 16. You can get your learner's on your 16th birthday. Knowledge tests are currently being done by appointment only (no walks ins). You'll also need to pass a vision screening test before you can get your learners. Check out…

21Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Road Lines & Pavement Markings in British Columbia

Signs, Lines and Traffic Lights

Welcome to British Columbia (Canada) Road Lines & Pavement Markings Understanding road lines matters; not only to be able to pass pesky tests to get your driver's license and resultant freedom, but also to, you know, stay out of trouble while you are driving, and get from A to B in one piece. In this guide, we'll dive into the road line meanings from a beautiful British Columbia (Canadian) perspective. For similar articles, check out my epic article about the Road Signs of Canada or How to Drive Defensively and Prevent Collisions. Road Lines Introduction Yellow road lines are used to separate traffic moving in opposite directions White lines are used to separate traffic moving in the same direction Yellow Road Lines Separate Traffic Moving in Opposite Directions Yellow lines…

20Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Right-Of-Way in Driving Explained

Driving Skills

What does it mean to have the right-of-way? Whenever someone says "right-of-way" they are usually talking about some type of understanding that drivers have with regard to which road user is going to go first before another in a driving situation. In other words, who must yield to who whenever two or more road users would like to enter the same space at the same time. Someone needs to go first. Otherwise, two or more road users entering the same space at the same time is equal to a collision. For a related article, check out Right-of-way in the parking lot. No one really "has" the right-of-way - an attitude shift Nobody really “has the right-of-way.” The driving school where I learned how to become a driving instructor would have absolutely, positively…

19Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

New Driver Car Rental, Sharing & Car For Road Test

Road Test & GLP

When you're a new or learner driver it can be sometimes difficult to get access to a vehicle without actually buying one. And, taking the bus or public transportation system isn't always what you need. This article will discuss some different options for basically getting your hands on some car keys for new and learner drivers in beautiful British Columbia. Can You Rent a Car With an N in BC? Yes, you can rent a car with an N in British Columbia. There are not a ton of options, but there are some options for new and learner drivers, depending on where you live and which of the following companies you may have access to. Everyone knows that being a new driver and trying to get some wheels can be…

19Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

BC Class 4 License ICBC

Insurance & Laws

What is a BC Class 4 License? The Class 4 License in BC is a driver's license that has two options: Restricted Class 4 for driving vehicles with up to nine passengers (taxi, limousine, ambulance, Uber, Lyft), and Unrestricted Class 4 for driving vehicles and buses with a seating capacity of no more than 25 people including the driver (school buses, Handy Dart, etc.) How Much Does it Cost to Get a BC Class 4 License? $15 for a Class 4 knowledge test $40 for the road test $28 for the commercial medical processing fee The cost of replacing your current driver's license with a Class 4 credential ($17, or $75 for a new license if the current expiry date is within 6 months) The cost of Class 4 driving…

15Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

How Long Does It Take To Learn To Drive?

Driving Skills

How long does it take to learn to drive? It's a process It takes most people about 60 hours of practical driving time behind the wheel to learn how to drive if they've never driven a car ever before. This is coming from my experience as a driving instructor for about 10 years in beautiful North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. How long does it take to learn to drive? In this article, I'll get into some more detail and explain why it takes a while to learn this important life skill. For a related article, check out: Driving a Car for the First Time? Practical Tips. Learning to drive is like building a house One thing I realized after teaching driving lessons for almost a decade was that learning how…

12Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Hazard Perception While Driving – ICBC Test Prep

Road Test & GLP

Welcome to Hazards While Driving - ICBC Road Test Preparation Is this one of the hazards while driving? What is this hazard perception thing about? "Hazard perception" is an official thing that people get marked on when they go for the ICBC road test. Depending on the road test (class 5 or 7), drivers will do this either when driving or when stopped. It's a kind of simple test to ensure that a driver is thinking and aware of potential hazards while driving that may be lurking around their vehicle. Preparing for your ICBC road test? Be sure to check out my epic article: ICBC Road Test Tips For Classes 5 & 7 [Instructor Gets Deep]. Hazard Perception on the ICBC Road Rest Hazard Perception Question from Taylor: "Apart from the…

11Mar 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

How To Turn Right At Green Lights [Canada]

Driving Skills

How To Turn Right at Green Lights - Beautiful British Columbia, Canada Introduction... Knowing how to turn right at green lights safely is another one of those important skills that learners, new drivers, and all drivers must practice to get really good at. And while turning right at green lights doesn't seem as dangerous as turning left at an intersection, it's somehow more difficult and complicated to teach to a new driver (and to learn). That is why I would always teach left turns at traffic lights first. Also, learners would know how to turn left and could avoid terrifying their parents too much when they went to practice driving. BC Motor Vehicle Act - Turning At Intersections, Green Lights Turning at intersections 165 (1)If the driver of a vehicle intends…

04Jan 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

ICBC Road Test Results Sheet – Understanding The 5 Global Skills

Road Test & GLP

ICBC Road Test Results Sheet for Class 5/6/7/8 The ICBC road test results sheet can look confusing. This might be because demerit points are not used for these particular road tests anymore. It's all about understanding ICBC's "Global Skills" and marking system. ICBC's Global Skills Drivers are being tested on ICBC's "global skills." These are broken down into: Observation Space Margins Speed Steering Communication Within each of these global skills, there is a list of items. Think of this as a list of things you could do wrong (or right). In other words, the examiner will only write down something on this paper if you do something wrong, miss something, or make an error. So, if your paper has no marks, I think it's safe to say you passed your…

01Jan 2024 by Carmen Cohoe

Reporting Dangerous Drivers in BC – The Simple Guide

Insurance & Laws

Reporting Reckless Drivers In the picturesque province of British Columbia, where lush forests meet breathtaking mountain ranges and stunning coastlines, the roads wind through some of the most spectacular scenery in Canada. But amid this natural beauty, a concerning issue lurks – dangerous drivers who pose a serious threat to road safety. The need to address reckless behavior on our highways and byways has never been more critical. From the bustling streets of Vancouver to the remote stretches of the Trans-Canada Highway, we all share the responsibility of ensuring safe travels for ourselves and our fellow citizens. In this article, we delve deep into the issue of reporting dangerous drivers in British Columbia, exploring why it matters, how it can make a difference, and what actions you can take to…