Class 5 and Class 7 Road Test

ICBC Road Test Vehicle Checklist in BC

Before your Class 5 or Class 7 road test in BC, your vehicle must pass a safety check by the ICBC examiner. If your car does not meet the requirements your appointment will be cancelled and you will need to reschedule.

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Written by the certified driving instructors at Sky Driving School, Victoria BC. Last updated June 2026. For educational purposes only.

Official ICBC List

10 Reasons ICBC Will Reject Your Vehicle

These are the 10 most common reasons a vehicle might not be accepted for a road test, as listed on the official ICBC road test preparation page. Check every one the evening before your appointment.

  1. Cracked or illegally tinted windshield or windows Any crack in the critical area directly in front of the driver is grounds for cancellation. If you are unsure whether your window tinting meets BC requirements, visit the ICBC driver licensing office where your road test is booked. In Victoria BC the road test centre is located at 1150 McKenzie Ave #1, Victoria, BC V8P 5P5. Staff at the road test centre can tell you on the spot whether your vehicle will be accepted, giving you peace of mind before test day.
  2. Dashboard warning lights that affect safe operation For example an airbag warning light. If a warning light is on when the examiner checks the vehicle, the test will not proceed.
  3. Seatbelts not working or frayed All seatbelts in the vehicle must latch, retract and release properly. Frayed webbing is a safety defect.
  4. Brake lights, signal lights or headlights not working This includes badly cracked or missing lenses. Test all lights the evening before your road test.
  5. Interior not clean or items affecting health or safety The vehicle interior must be clean, scent-free and free of any items that may affect health and safety. This includes loose objects that could move during driving.
  6. Unsafe or illegal vehicle modifications Any modification that makes the vehicle unsafe to operate or does not meet BC motor vehicle standards.
  7. Horn not working The horn is a required safety device. Test it before your appointment.
  8. Unsafe tires Unsafe tires include flat tires, excessively worn tread, bulges or visible sidewall damage. During snowy or icy conditions, tire suitability for weather may also be assessed. If you are unsure whether your tires meet the requirements for current road conditions, contact the Victoria ICBC driver licensing office at (250) 978-8300 or visit 1150 McKenzie Ave #1, Victoria, BC V8P 5P5 before your appointment.
  9. Doors or windows not operating properly For example doors that do not open from the inside. Test all doors from both inside and outside before your road test.
  10. Gas tank or electric charge too low The vehicle must have enough fuel or charge to complete the full road test. Fill to at least half the evening before.
Important

Also check the Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database for any outstanding serious safety recalls on your vehicle. ICBC may cancel your test if a serious safety recall has not been addressed.

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If Your Vehicle Fails

What Happens If Your Vehicle Is Rejected

If the examiner identifies a safety defect before or at the start of your road test, your appointment will be cancelled. You will need to have the defect repaired and rebook your road test.

This is one of the most avoidable reasons students lose their road test appointment and fee. A thorough check the evening before gives you time to take the car to a mechanic and fix any problem before your test date.

Common Situation

A student arrives with a dashboard warning light they have been ignoring. The examiner cancels the appointment. The fee is lost and the next available appointment is several weeks away. Check every item on this list the evening before your road test.

Using Our School Vehicle

If you book a road test package with Sky Driving School, our instructors complete all pre-trip checks on the vehicle before every booking. See our road test packages for details.

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Evening Before Your Test

Day Before Your Road Test Checklist

Go through this the evening before your road test appointment, not the morning of. That gives you time to fix any problem before it costs you your booking.

  • 1
    Turn on every lightHeadlights, taillights, brake lights, hazard lights and all four signal lights. Walk around the car and confirm each one works.
  • 2
    Test the hornPress it briefly to confirm it produces a clear audible sound.
  • 3
    Check all four tiresProper inflation, no bulges, no visible sidewall damage and adequate tread depth.
  • 4
    Test all doorsOpen and close every door from both inside and outside. Confirm latches work properly.
  • 5
    Check the windshield and windowsNo cracks in the driver's critical viewing area. If you are unsure whether your window tinting meets BC requirements, visit the ICBC driver licensing office where your road test is booked. In Victoria BC the road test centre is at 1150 McKenzie Ave #1, Victoria, BC V8P 5P5. Staff at the road test centre can tell you on the spot whether your vehicle will be accepted. This removes any doubt and avoids a cancellation on test day.
  • 6
    Test all seatbeltsLatch, retract and release properly. Check for fraying on the webbing.
  • 7
    Clean the interiorRemove any loose items, food, or anything that could move during driving. The vehicle must be scent-free.
  • 8
    Fill the gas tankAt least half a tank. For electric vehicles confirm the charge is sufficient to complete the full road test.
  • 9
    Check for dashboard warning lightsStart the engine and confirm all warning lights go off within a few seconds.
  • 10
    Confirm insurance and registrationDocuments must be in the vehicle and valid.
Also Read

Our pre-trip vehicle check guide covers the daily inspection routine every BC driver should build as a habit, not just before road tests. For a full breakdown of every skill area tested, see our guide on how to pass the ICBC road test in Victoria BC.

If you are preparing for a Class 4 Restricted road test, the vehicle inspection requirements are more detailed. See our Class 4 Restricted driving lessons page for what is covered.

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Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if my car fails the ICBC vehicle check?

Your road test appointment will be cancelled. You will need to have the defect repaired and rebook. The road test fee is not refunded in this situation. Check every item on the ICBC list the evening before your appointment to avoid this.

Does my car need to be insured for the road test?

Yes. ICBC requires a safe, reliable and insured vehicle with a Canadian licence plate for the road test. You will need to provide the plate number at the counter when you check in.

Can I use a rental car or borrowed car for the ICBC road test?

Yes, but if you plan to use a vehicle from a car sharing company and are not the named member, you must provide an original letter from the company authorizing you to use the vehicle for an ICBC road test. The letter must be on company letterhead and signed and dated by a company representative.

Does the interior of my car need to be clean for the road test?

Yes. The vehicle interior must be clean, scent-free and free of any items that may affect health and safety. This is one of the 10 official reasons ICBC may reject a vehicle before the test begins. Remove all loose items and ensure nothing in the car could move or distract during driving.

How much fuel do I need for the ICBC road test?

Enough to complete the full road test. ICBC does not specify a minimum amount but a gas tank or electric charge that is too low is one of the 10 official reasons your vehicle may be rejected. Fill to at least half the evening before your appointment.

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Also Required by ICBC

Other Rules That Can Cancel Your Test

In addition to the vehicle safety checklist, ICBC has several other requirements that can result in your road test being cancelled before it begins.

  • 1
    No recording devices and GPS must be turned off You cannot use audio, video or other recording devices during your road test. All GPS and navigation systems must be turned off before the test begins. Using these devices can lead to cancellation of your test.
  • 2
    No passengers permitted Only the driver examiner and the person being tested are permitted in the vehicle. No other person may be present including translators, children or infants.
  • 3
    No pets Pets are not permitted on a road test or in ICBC driver licensing offices. Guide dogs and service dogs are the only exception.
  • 4
    Check for outstanding vehicle safety recalls If your vehicle has an outstanding serious safety recall, ICBC may cancel your test. Check the Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database before your appointment.
Source

All requirements on this page are sourced directly from the ICBC road test preparation page.

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Page Updates

  • Updated June 2026

Sources

ICBC Road Test Preparation

ICBC Learn to Drive Smart

Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database