There is good news on the horizon for eager drivers-to-be who have struggled to book a road test.
The government announced changes to come into effect Jan. 5, which will permit private examiners to conduct road tests for Class 4, 5 and 6 licences. Commercial Class 1, 2 and 3 will still be tested by government employees only.
“We’re very happy about it,” said Bev Carlson, co-owner of Ardiel Agencies in Okotoks. “It’s definitely the right thing to do. I think the private registry agents, in partnership with driver examiners, can provide better service to Albertans than what they’ve been receiving over the last year.”
Many people trying to book road tests for their passenger class licences have struggled to find a slot available, because there have been 77 examiners in the entire province, with limited hours in each registry office, she said.
Most days, there are no tests available in Okotoks, she added. It has come down to pure luck – if someone logs into the system at just the right time, when the government has added an examiner for half a day at the local registry or someone else has cancelled, then he or she might be able to snag a spot.
There will now be 180 examiners across Alberta, she said, which would allow Ardiel Agencies to have three examiners working five days per week.
“It’s going to open up so many more opportunities,” said Carlson.
In addition, the private testers will work through Ardiel rather than the government, which means they will be able to work more hours and spend less time on COVID protocols and administrative work.
Currently, examiners must spray down a client’s car prior to administering a test, wait 10 minutes before getting on the road, complete the test, then return and spray the vehicle again before going over paperwork with the driver. It meant 25-minute road tests were booked for 45-minute slots to account for the extra precautions and work that had to be done by the examiner, said Carlson.
Now, Ardiel Agencies employees can handle the cleaning so examiners can get straight to the testing, she said.
“So they could do two tests per hour instead of one every 45 minutes,” said Carlson. “It will be much more efficient.”
Even so, it will take some time to relieve the backlog that has built up with the current system, particularly with COVID-19 and the temporary shutdown backing things up even more.
It’s been difficult to play catch-up with few examiners available, she said. The last time it was reported, an estimated 28,000 Albertans were waiting for road tests.
Staff at Ardiel have fielded questions on a daily basis.
“We have people who phone and we have people who actually come in to the office thinking we can get into the system differently or faster than they can, and in fact we can’t,” said Carlson. “We’re subject to the same limits they are.”
Rikki McBride, CEO of the Association of Alberta Registry Agents, said there will be many benefits for Albertans with the new road test model, which should provide more availability and allow private industry to adapt to pent-up demand.
“Registries are very committed to delivering road tests and dealing with the availability issues we see in the current model,” said McBride. “Registries definitely want to get road tests out there if Albertans need them.
“I think this is great news for registries. I think they’re going to be able to do what they do best, is deliver excellent customer service and ensure that the government and services are getting delivered to the public in a timely manner and in an efficient way.”
Virtual Line-up
Those looking to access registry services in Okotoks have a new option rather than waiting in line outside Ardiel Agencies, where the number of clients permitted at one time is limited due to COVID restrictions.
The virtual line-up launched mid-October and Carlson said so far it has been a fantastic addition to the services offered at Ardiel.
“As a customer, you text your name to our text line and you get an instant reply telling you what number you are in line and the estimated wait,” she said.
Clients then have the option to wait in their vehicle until they receive notification it’s their turn to come inside, or have the freedom to visit other shops while they wait, she said.
Anyone who doesn’t make it back in time when they are notified to enter is put into a holding pattern and does not lose their spot.
It’s been well-received so far, she said.
“People are telling us how happy they are with it,” said Carlson. “Especially with standing outside, coming into the winter months, it’s just great.”
To line up virtually, text 587-740-1000.
