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By Caden Fanshaw

Driving Delays

ICBC backlog causing problems for young drivers in PG

Aug 28, 2020 | 4:40 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The backlog caused by COVID-19 is just another bump in the road for young drivers and those wanting to earn their driver’s licence in Prince George.

ICBC announced Friday they are creating 2,000 new road test appointments province-wide available for testing dates starting September 9th.

Soon to be 17-year-old Paige Asmussen tried to book her road test in Prince George on the first day that booking was re-opened since the start of COVID-19 on August 24th.

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Asmussen forgot her keyword required to log into the online system, and with no way to reset it online, it forced her to try by phone.

She says she was on hold for 45 minutes before she got through, and was then faced with a disappointing reality.

“I was told I could book after December 14th in Prince George, November 24th in Vanderhoof, and then I eventually booked for the 19th of October in Mackenzie.”

After ICBC’s announcement Friday releasing more appointments for booking, she tried to re-book for Prince George as she hoped she could get a date in Prince George. The soonest date available was January 12th as shown below.

Photo: Paige Asmussen

This is in contrast to Owen Middleton, who lives in Abbotsford and was forced into similar circumstances.

He says he was planning on travelling to Vernon in November for his road test, but thanks to the recent appointments released, he won’t have to.

When Middleton saw that ICBC had released more appointments he headed online and was able to get a test scheduled on September 22nd in Abbotsford.

ICBC says just because there aren’t any dates available in PG right now, that could change.

“We are hiring new temporary driving examiners right now to try and get through the backlog,” says Spokesperson Joanna Linsangan. “We encourage our customers to check the online booking website as often as they can to look for new openings.”

ICBC says they knew there was going to be pent up demand on the horizon after suspending road tests in March and are well aware of the lengthy delays in Prince George.

“We will be adding 100 additional bookings in October, 100 more in November, and 100 more in December to meet demand,” says Linsangan. “Typically the summer season is our busiest for bookings.”

ICBC says they have received over 45,000 bookings since it re-opened on August 24th. In perspective in a typical month, they only receive around 20,000 provincially.

BC’s public insurer says on average 100 appointments a day are made available because of cancellations and resourcing availability.

ICBC continues to offer priority testing for essential health care workers and first responders who require a licence for work; workers may call ICBC (1-800-950-1498) to book.