Red Lights with green arrows - a question We have received a question here on the blog regarding red lights with green arrows. Here it is : I've read that if a green arrow is shown with a red light, you can go in the direction of the arrow if the way is clear. I haven't come across this red-light-and-green-arrow situation yet while driving. I'm unsure if you're supposed to stop before turning in the direction of the green arrow. Or if you can just go through. I'm thinking you can just go through...some pictures on Google Images seem to suggest that you can. But I wonder if that's generally the way it works. Red Lights With Green Arrows This is actually a good question. I've heard a few stories…
This post may contain affiliate links. Parking on a hill - what's the big deal? Parking on a hill is not that different from parking on a non-hill. But you do need to consider a few things to make sure it's going to be safe when you are learning how to park; and for the rest of your parking career. If you don't take care of this, your car could end up rolling down the road by itself. It would keep rolling away until it crashes into something; whatever happens to be in the way. Obviously this would be bad. Sometimes, mechanical failure will occur, no matter what precautions you've taken beforehand. Even in this case, you still have the option to set up your vehicle for the lesser of…
Failed the Road test in standard car Question about how to drive stick on the road test We've got a question here on how to drive stick for the road test, and for real life of course. I just failed my road test after driving for 7 years in a foreign country. My mistake was that I brought a manual car for the test. I got marked on shifting and steering several times. She said that I should not change gears while I am turning and I should not coast with clutch in. Examiners here in BC don’t know that you cannot change gears without a clutch in for a few seconds and you cannot put your hands on the steering wheel for the whole time as you have to…
Where Is It Illegal to Park a Car? Some people might be wondering where it's illegal to park a vehicle in BC. After all, you can't just park a car anywhere. Although, wouldn't that be nice? Let's go through the rules for beautiful British Columbia (BC Motor Vehicle Act) and then we'll go through some various cities because, of course, each city may be slightly different than the next with their rules and regulations for parking and stopping vehicles. For a related article, check out Right-of-Way in the Parking Lot. Where is it Illegal to Park a Car in Beautiful British Columbia? These are the general province-wide (Motor Vehicle Act British Columbia) laws. Where the curb is painted yellow On the 'wrong' side of the road i.e. against traffic direction…
Can ICBC Insurance Be Renewed Online? The short answer is: Beginning in May, 2022, British Columbians will be able to renew their auto insurance with ICBC online. Beginning in May, 2022 British Columbians will be able to: Renew personal auto insurance Get a temporary operation permit There will be a few restrictions COVID has sped up ICBC's online insurance model. It is being developed with input from their "Online Broker Task Force." This is made up of ICBC and BC broker community representatives. Regulatory and technical work needs to be done in order for this to happen. This includes consultations that will make sure BC's broker community is ready. Read the Public Safety & Solicitor General news report. ICBC License Plate Decals Changing are coming to the development of regulations…
Fear of Driving Over Bridges? The Chesapeake Bay Bridge The Chesapeake Bay Bridge in Maryland (nearly 7 km long) is so frightening to some drivers, there is a service that will drive you across the bridge in your own car. Is the fear of driving over a bridge (or fear of driving in general) any different than any other fear, and therefore, would the 'cure' be the same? If a person goes through their entire life being afraid of spiders (or heights, or whatever else), and every time they see one, they scream and run away; well that is probably fine in the grand scheme of things since the worst thing that can happen is, well, the screaming and running away part, and possibly a spider bite. But driving?…
Why is there a circle in the middle of the road? You may sometimes find traffic circles in residential areas and other spots, too. Today we will discuss the residential traffic circle, which is a small circle. These are different from traffic roundabouts. Engineers design residential traffic circles to increase safety and to slow down traffic in residential areas. This is because in these areas there may be: ChildrenDogsPeople walkingBikesSkate boardersCars backing out of driveways& other exciting stuff Traffic circles slow down vehicles, without necessarily forcing traffic to completely stop like we do at 2-way stops and 4-way stops. So, how do you navigate the residential traffic circle? Slow down as you approach the circle to no more than 20 km/hr. This is in case you need to yield. Also, to maintain…
Welcome to Blind Spots in a Car (& Shoulder Checks) What are blind spots in a car? Blind spots are simply specific areas that you can not see when you are sitting in the driver's seat. You can't see this area in your mirrors or in the corner of your eye(s). The only way to see the blind spot is to shoulder-check. Another road user could be right beside your vehicle, and you wouldn't be able to see it at all. Obviously, this is potentially dangerous. Blind Spots in a Car While Driving Let's dig deeper. Let's take the following photo of a driver's point-of-view as an example. In the rear-view mirror, not much is happening. We can see a silver car in front, a black truck, a red Porsche,…
These Tips from a Student Driver were Submitted by 'KK' - Thank you! I had my test today in Surrey. It was my first try but unfortunately I didn't make it. I did great on the things I was scared of messing up in but screwed up on the most obvious thing which ended up costing me the entire test because it was a "dangerous action" (which is considered an automatic fail). Tips from a student driver - I was at a stop sign waiting to turn left It was a very quiet area with lotssss of trees that were making it hard to see the on coming cars, especially from the right side. I was waiting to turn and my left side was clear of cars and I checked…
Welcome to the Parallel Parking Tutorial for New Drivers Parallel parking for some reason has a bad rep. But it can be nearly perfected with practice. There is no need to drive around the block 15 times looking for a 'pull through' or 'pull over' spot. You don't need to avoid parallel parking! Learning it is not that bad. You can totally learn how to parallel park. Experienced drivers just do it. When it comes time to teach someone else how we are often at a loss for words. What are we actually doing when we parallel park? Do we even know? Hopefully, these tips can give a rough guideline. Maybe they can't teach a new driver exactly what to do down to an exact science. https://twitter.com/Tbone7219/status/1449450610512781315 https://twitter.com/MagicPi2/status/1506207544435425283 How to…
Are you looking for an ICBC Claim Centre? Find a location and contact information right here. ICBC Claim Centre Burnaby 4399 Wayburne Drive, V5G3X7, (604) 438-1431, Map ICBC Claim Centre Coquitlam 100 Blue Mountain Street, V3K1A2, (604) 525-0511 Map575 Hartley Avenue, V3K6Z7, (604) 777-4500 Map ICBC Claim Centre New Westminster 1320 Third Avenue, V3M5T4, (604) 522-3552 Map ICBC Claim Centre Surrey 10262 - 152A Street (Guildford) V3R6T8, (604) 584-3211 Map13665 68 Avenue (Newton) V3W0Y6, (604) 597-7600 Map ICBC Claim Centre Vancouver 999 Kingsway, V5V4Z7, (604) 872-3622 Map456 West 5th Avenue, V5Y3Z3, (604) 871-2300 Map ICBC Claim Centre North Vancouver 255 Lloyd Avenue, V7P3G5, (604) 986-6141 Map Richmond 7200 Elmbridge Way, V6X2Y1,(604) 273-9242 Map Maple Ridge 22811 Dewdney Trunk Road, V2X9J7, (604) 463-3999 Map Langley 6000 Production Way, V3A6L5, (604) 530-7111…
Left On Red In British Columbia? Left turn red light. Wait, what? Turning left on a red light is a thing that is actually sometimes legal. But you really need to pay close attention to the road you are planning to turn onto. This will determine the legality. Most people wonder about right turns on red lights, and different places have different rules for these types of turns. In British Columbia, you may turn right on a red light if it's safe to do so and if you completely stop first. Oh and avoiding those pesky turning restriction signs helps too. If you think about why we are allowed to turn right on a red light, it may help to understand the rules about turning left. Basically, we are not…
Roundabouts and traffic circles are designed to keep traffic moving and improve safety at intersections Technically, a roundabout is a traffic circle with more than one lane, but these terms seem to be used interchangeably On approach, reduce your speed to about 20 km/hr in case you need to yield to other vehicles and for good controlLook for signs and pedestrians and be prepared.You must yield to any traffic already in the roundabout. This means you will yield to your immediate left. All vehicles must enter to the right and use the roundabout in a counter-clockwise direction. You can enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in the traffic and you feel it is safe. Once you are inside the roundabout, vehicles approaching are supposed to yield to…
Two point turns: one of the many ways of turning around if you find yourself going in the wrong direction Eliminate Unnecessary Backing Whenever reversing, try to eliminate any extra backing up. Reversing is generally not as safe as going forwards due to the reduced visibility & large blind zone behind a vehicle that could hide small objects, children, pets, etc. Additionally, you may only legally reverse when it is safe, so in the case of any collision you would likely be found at fault. Using a Driveway or Lane If using a driveway/lane on your left, pull forward into it and then reverse out so that you will just be reversing into half of the road (only one lane of traffic and not both), make sure you stay to…
Winter road trips can be challenging and unpredictable. Be prepared by following these tips - our ultimate winter road trip checklist Tires #1: use winter tires, 4 of them, and check the pressure (info on your door jamb). Even if it's not snowing, winter tires offer better traction in temperatures below 7 degrees C. "The worst winter tire is better than the best summer tire" Your tires are the only thing connecting you to the pavement. Tires are (one of the, if not..) the single most important thing on your vehicle (some may argue...) If I had limited funds for my vehicle and could only spend it on one thing, I would spend it on Tires. Emergency Kit & Essential Items Keep essential items in your car in case of…
Halloween Safety Tips for Parents & Kids: Make sure your kids are dressed in reflective gear, give them a few glow sticks or flash lights; if nothing else attach some reflective tape to their costumeTeach them not to dart across the road, cross only at the corners and look left & right (always look left first); better yet, go with them and use the opportunity to teach them about how to be a safe pedestrianRemind them not to rely on their ears alone; they must look as well; many new vehicles are very quiet (especially hybrids)Walk facing traffic, especially if there is no sidewalkConsider a community centre for younger children vs. trick or treatingPaint or decorate your pumpkin rather than cutting it to avoid having children use sharp objects. Tips…
Question : At a Y intersection, where a vehicle on the right arm of the Y has stopped for a red light, can that vehicle then proceed if there is no approaching traffic on the left arm of the Y. (for example, east bound traffic on Prior St where it intersects with the east end of the Georgia Street viaduct). It's a good question and I can see how one might think that this is somewhat similar to a right turn on a red light. But I just can't see how this is a "right turn." In this case, you are driving on Prior St. facing a red light at an intersection and after the intersection you are still on Prior Street. You are not turning your steering wheel (well,…
Question : I have a question about crosswalks which have no traffic lights and where you are trying to turn on to a busier road. I know that I should stop before the crosswalk and wait for pedestrians to clear. Once they clear, I can cover the crosswalk and start to edge out.But, what if the road I am trying to turn on to is a busy one and I am blocking the crosswalk for a while. More pedestrians may arrive to cross and they would be forced to go around me. Is this illegal or would I be marked down if it happened in the test? This is a good question. You're right in that when stopping, you should stop with your front bumper behind the white line (behind…
Question : I have been instructed on a school bus run that I may be included to take a left at a downtown busy intersection which is designated for "bus only." I was honked at last day on route by other drivers and given the Stare. I do not want to get a driving infraction nor cause an accident. Good question. According to the BC Motor Vehicle Act, a bus is "a motor vehicle designed to carry more than 10 persons," so if you're driving such a vehicle, then you're permitted to turn left against a sign which indicates 'no left turns except for busses.' A bus doesn't have to necessarily be a Translink bus; it could be a HandyDart, a school bus, or something similar. There's also a definition of…
Driving a car for the first time in your life? How exciting! And terrifying, mostly for your co-pilot. Today we are presenting our top 5 most important tips for people who are driving an automobile for the very first time in their entire life! Now I am going to try and keep this very basic. Because, someone's gotta do it. Anyone else notice how complicated the world seems nowadays? Don't answer that. Related: How long does it take to learn how to drive? Tip #1 For Driving A Car For The First Time: Make sure you know how to walk around your car the right way when going to get into it This matters. Us driver training people refer to this as your 'approach to the vehicle.' Basically, it's to…
Traffic Signal Anticipation - Fresh Green Light When we talk about traffic signal anticipation, we are talking about the traffic lights changing. More specifically when they may be changing from green to yellow. Are you driving towards a fresh green light, or is it stale? Is it going to go yellow? Then what? When you're driving towards an intersection, this is one of the things you need to think about. It's good to never be surprised by a light changing to yellow. It's better to get ready, or to anticipate it. This is so that you won't get into trouble. Types of trouble could include being rear-ended if you suddenly slam on the brakes for a yellow light, or having a problem with an opposing left-turning vehicle. What Is a…
Always Leave Your Car In a Gear Have you ever wondered about parking your car in gear? Always leave your car in a gear (if standard) or in 'P' (Park if automatic). Why? It will hold the vehicle in place & keep it from rolling away. This can happen if the emergency or parking brake were to fail. This is a real thing that happens sometimes. For a related article, check out Right-of-Way in the Parking Lot. How to park an automatic car Leave the automatic vehicle in park, with the parking brake applied, every time you park. The best way to park your automatic car is to: First, put the vehicle into neutral, and then apply the parking brake Then, slowly ease off the brake pedal until your foot is…
Today we are answering another question. It's about changing lanes in an intersection. And why it's a bad idea. 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]. Question: Is changing lanes in an intersection illegal in beautiful British Columbia? There is no law that says you can't lane change inside an intersection This is a common question among drivers. There is no law that says you can't lane change inside an intersection. But, this doesn't mean it's a good idea. Changing lanes in - or near - an intersection is potentially dangerous. It should generally be avoided as a matter of good habit. And it's part of being a defensive driver. Check out…
what to do after a car accident Sometimes, despite all of your defensive driving techniques, a crash still happens. First thing, don't panic. Follow these tips for what to do after a car accident. And know that you aren't the only one. 1. What To Do After A Car Accident - Stop and Do not leave the scene Firstly, this may sound obvious but be sure to stop and stay there. Never leave the scene of an accident. In most places this is an offence. If the other car(s) or drivers leave, try to record the license plate number so authorities can locate them. 2. What To Do After A Car Accident - Check Your Surroundings And Stay Calm Check to make sure no one is injured or hurt. Turn…
Driving In A Straight Line Question about driving in a straight line. I’m a very new driver, just starting out (in my adult years). Very disconcerting is the fact that despite all my attempts to adjust the movement of the car by turning the wheel, the car still drifts from side to side. My instructors from the school I’m registered in have been impatient with me over this from the very beginning, and I’ve become frustrated as well. I’m in despair over my inability to keep the car in a straight line, and both instructors I’ve worked with have implied or directly stated that I shouldn’t be driving. I refuse to accept this as there must be some way I can solve this problem. And while doing this I also…
1. What does a premium mean for car insurance? What are car insurance premiums? It's a good question, and it sounds like something very fancy, doesn't it? In reality, your car insurance premium is simply the amount you have to pay in exchange for your insurance. You can often pay monthly or yearly, or perhaps on a different schedule. 2. How Are Car Insurance Premiums Calculated? When wondering 'what are car insurance premiums' you might wonder how they are calculated. Auto insurers typically use several factors to determine your car insurance rates. Some factors include: The make of your car (Honda, Cadillac) Model of your vehicle (Civic, Escalade) Year of your carThe driving records of people who are insured to drive the car Where you live What Are Car Insurance…
Comprehensive Insurance Meaning What is comprehensive on car insurance? Surely the world of insurance can be confusing. And it doesn't help when people use big, boring words to explain everything. Comprehensive car insurance is a type of partial insurance coverage that you can get as an option, unlike liability insurance which is required by law in most areas. It basically covers events that are not in your control. In other words, 'everything else' that isn't a crash, or an event as the result of your driving, or a liability. What is Comprehensive on Car Insurance - What Does Comprehensive Insurance Cover? Insurance policies vary, but comprehensive car insurance typically covers damage caused by the following: FireWindHailFloodTheft or damage done by attempted theft VandalismFalling or flying objects (I'm not sure if…
Auto Insurance - What is Liability Car Insurance? What is liability car insurance, you're wondering? Sometimes insurance companies make it sound complicated, but it's not too bad. We will explain it all here. For me, liability falls into the category of 'I'd rather not think about it,' but as drivers, we kind of have to. Liability is the part of insurance that covers losses that a vehicle causes to other people. For example - Injury to another person/people Death to another person/people Damage your vehicle causes to other vehicles In some cases, it may even cover lost wages & legal fees if the other person files a lawsuitProperty that may have been damaged in the collision, for example fences, buildings, phone poles, etc. In other words, if there's a collision…
Green Light vs Green Arrow Some new drivers ask this question and it's about the green light vs green arrow. Both are beautiful green things found at intersections. So, what's the difference? The answer is in where you go. Drivers facing the regular green light may generally proceed straight ahead or turn left or right; but drivers facing an arrow must follow the direction on the arrow only. Let's drive into the details. Green light --> go straight, left or right if otherwise allowed. Green arrow --> no turn permitted; go straight through only. Green Light Vs Green Arrow Straight Green Arrow Means 'Go Straight' and do not turn left or right If you are facing a regular green light, you are usually allowed to turn from your lane at…
Traffic Light Visibility Issues Trucks, buses, and other large vehicles present us with reduced visibility If you've been driving for a while, or if you are just beginning, you may have noticed this perceived 'phenomenon.' Traffic light visibility seems sometimes nonexistent. You know there's an intersection, but where is the traffic light? What color is it? This can be a little unnerving when driving at speed. I've heard about this before from many drivers over my years of teaching. Unfortunately I've also heard of people driving straight though red lights following a truck / bus for this very reason. The bus went through the intersection, so the light must be green, right? Not necessarily. Plus, this is not the way to drive, actions based on assumptions. Traffic Light Visibility: I…
Pedestrians Of 2022 Learn more about being a safe pedestrian today. Because, well, someone's gotta do it. As you may or may not have thought about, there is more to being a safe pedestrian than looking both ways before crossing the street. And everyone knows that if a pedestrian and vehicle have a fight, the pedestrian will not be winning, unfortunately. So, it's up to pedestrians to be very careful, even though drivers may not be doing what's right. Tips for Being A Safe Pedestrian Let's talk about what side of the road to walk on if you're walking on a road such as this one. But it's a good tip for any road, even ones with sidewalks. Of course, this is not an ideal place to walk (somewhere without…
Q: What is the proper mirror adjustment for side mirrors? I usually adjust it so I can just barely see the side of my car. How big of a blind spot does this cause? I have seen several places online say that you should push the mirrors out further than this to eliminate blind spots. Which is the best side mirror adjustment? If you don't know how big your blind spot is you should sit in your car and get someone to walk around it in an entire circle and watch the mirrors to see when they disappear. There has been a lot of debate about this over the years and in my opinion I really don't think there's a right or wrong or yes or no answer, keep in…
Question : This is a (possibly stupid) question about indicating, but I cannot find a definitive answer. It's about passing a left turning vehicle. To indicate or not to indicate? At a lot of intersections, a single lane become two or more lanes, so passing the left turning car on the right would require a lane change. I would recommend always indicating for this. However, on some less busy roads it remains a single lane. But, it's still wide enough to still have room to pass on the right. For example, when there is a stopped car waiting to make a left turn in front of you. I indicate to the right to let the driver behind know that I'm about to veer right to pass the left turner. Do…
Here is a question we get asked a lot. And it's a good one. Is it illegal to drive with high beams in BC? High beams are literally higher beams, so they can tend to blind the people driving towards you. And if you think about that, it's a bit scary! Legally in BC, you must dim your high beams whenever you are within 150 meters of another vehicle. This includes vehicle in front of you going the same direction or opposite direction. I'm not sure how many people can accurately judge 150 meters when they're driving - let alone when they are not driving - so be courteous and dim your high beams when you encounter other drivers and pedestrians. It makes sense why it's illegal to drive with…
Hill Start Without Rolling If you are wondering how to do a hill start without rolling backwards when driving your automatic vehicle, look no further. You definitely aren't the only one wondering about this. Not all cars do this, but the ones that do, can be a bit terrifying at times. You aren't the only one who has experienced this anxiety-provoking feeling. The one you get when you see a large truck behind you and you have to stop on a hill for a red light or stop sign. You know you're on a steep hill. Maybe it's even raining or snowing. Maybe you know your tires might suck. The light goes green, and you know you're supposed to take your foot from the brake and move it to the…
Looking for some ICBC Penticton Information? You have come to the right place in the great land of the internet. ICBC Penticton - JUST The Facts The ICBC Penticton is located together with the Penticton Service BC Centre. Address for ICBC Penticton & Service BC Centre 40 Calgary Ave.Penticton, British Columbia, Canada V2A2T6 Phone: 250 487-4200 Fax: 250 487-4222 ICBC Penticton Hours of Operation Mon9:00 am - 4:30 pmTue9:00 am - 4:30 pmWed9:00 am - 4:30 pmThu9:00 am - 4:30 pmFri9:00 am - 4:30 pmSatClosedSunClosedOffice is closed for mandatory cleaning during these times: 12:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Holidays - Click here for hours Do you need to book your knowledge test? If you need to go for your knowledge test at ICBC, you'll need to make an appointment in…
Schedule Your Road Test In New York Schedule your NY Road Test. Road test schedule NY - All the information you need People Under The Age of 18 If you are not yet 18 years of age, you need to wait at least 6 months from the date you received your learner permit, to schedule your road test. Check out our epic road test tips guide. Road Test In New York - Fees You do not need to pay a fee for up to the first 2 road tests for non-commercial licenses. This is because the tests are included when you pay for your $10.00 drivers license permit application fee. If you aren't successful on your first one, or your second road test, then the fee will be $10.00 for up…
By Kevin Nicholson Scared about learning to drive manual? Just got a new car with manual and are having a hard time learning how to drive it? This guide will get you started. First rule of driving manual transmissions: When you are unsure what to do, PUSH THE CLUTCH IN. Nothing bad will happen as long as the clutch is pressed in. If the car seems like it is going to stall (lots of shaking, bucking), push the clutch in. Also, push the clutch in when coming to a stop. Engrave this rule into you mind, and you will never stall when in doubt of what to do. Now here is the best way to learn from scratch. 1. Go to a large, empty, deserted area like a parking lot…
Road test experience. Submitted by an anonymous driver I've been reading this blog for a few weeks now and I think it's time to give back to the community with my experience of doing my class 5 test. Location: North Vancouver Class 5 Result: Passed! I arrived about 10 minutes before my test and was registered at the counter by the lady who would be my examiner. Have your license plate memorized to write it down. I was told to sit down then a few minutes later she picked me up and we officially started the test at 2pm. As we were walking to the car she told me her expectations and that the first and last few minutes are the hardest. Once at the car, the examiner will ask you to…
