1. About Access PEI
Access PEI is a one-stop location to obtain provincial government programs, services and information for residents and visitors, Access PEI provides major services:
a) Conduct driving examinations including exchange Vietnamese driver’s license to PEI driver’s license.
b) Vehicle registration and renew.
c) Selling Recreational licences.
There are eight Access PEI sites across the province. Islanders can obtain a wide range of programs and services.
2. How to take an appointment for a written test at Access PEI.
2.1. Written test:
Come to the nearest Access PEI Office to register, required documents (for work permit, study permit, PR, etc.)
– Passport / PR card
– Visa / Study Permit / Work permit …
– Landing papers
– Proof of residence: need 2 different types for family members who intend to driver test. Normally for a new landing, you should register with the bank first, the bank will issue documents on it showing the address where you live, and the rental agreement (the rental agreement should include the couple’s name, or If there is only one on the rental agreement, on the day of exam, both come together for confirmation of residence). Also use the bill to pay electricity, water, Internet services.
– Presenting a Vietnamese driver’s license (plastic card, bilingual so no need to translate) – over 2 years experienced licence will be given a written test, if passed then will be registered for road test.
– Written test fees: CAD 20
– After receiving an appointment letter for a written test (a yellow paper), it is issued with a RIN number that can register to buy a car during the period time without a PEI license, using a Vietnamese license from the date of entry is 4 months.
– Students after the age of 16 or older may register, when taking the written test, bring a birth certificate with a notarized translation to check.
– Written test including 2 parts with 45 minutes to complete all questions. 25 signs with 25 definitions / explanations as part 1; 4-page regulation questions – choose the correct answer – anyone who has not yet learned to drive will do all the questions.
Note: in order to pass the test, the applicant must correctly identify stop, yield, school sign and school bus.
– Checking the vision right after the written test (if pass) so bring your glasses to check the vision. When see into the scope to check the vision, might adjust your head to see it better.
Materials:
- Mocking test: https://tests.ca/prince-edward-island/ (for reference only, the real questions might not be the same.
- PEI drivers handbook: https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/publication/drivers-handbook
2.2. Road test
- After passing a written test, you should register for a Novice Driver Course (NDC), this is a new requirement of the government before taking their first road test. You should enroll in the course as soon as you receive your written test result. The course fee is 115 CAD and lasts approximately 4 hours. Remember to take your ID card to the course with you.
After attending NDC, you will receive a confirmation letter (a yellow paper), show it when you take a road test.
Road test during Covid-19
- During Covid-19, you should book an appointment for a road test by calling Access PEI. Telephone number can be found at link. https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/transportation-infrastructure-and-energy/access-pei-locations
- On the day of the road test, upon arrival call the phone number listed on the sign to announce the examiner, the examiner will guide you how to perform the road test.
- The examiner will mount the dashcam on the windshield, this is a two-way camera, recording the front and inside of the car to determine the shoulder check as well as the operation of the driver.
- The examiner will give you a communication device (radio) to give you instructions when driving. Attention, just sit and listen to the orders and follow the instructions of the examiner, do not communicate with the examiner through the radio during the road test unless unsafety reasons.
- After the road test, the examiner will need about 5 minutes to review the dashcam and report the results to you.
Notes for road test:
- Before starting the road test, the examiner will check the information of the vehicle such as registration, insurance, inspection stamps.
- Vehicle safety test (vehicles prepared by the driver): the examiner will ask to turn the left, right signals, the horn, check the front and rear before driving. Note that all rear stop lights when braking must work (left, right and tail light (if any)).
- Starting from Access PEI to the downtown (example route): Exit Access PEI is along the Trans – highway (Riverside Road) forward the downtown, the examiner will instruct the driver to go around the street to check driving skills for going on two-way, one-way roads, turn left, turn right, controlled intersection, right-of-way at three-way or four-way intersections controlled by Stop signs, speed of travel in municipality (40km/h), suburban roads (50km/h), highways (70km/h), roundabouts (30km/h), school zone (30km / h), how to start when driving, how to parking a car properly, observe when driving (check 3 mirrors, turn shoulders, honk …), enter and exit to the highway …
– After passing the road test, you will have to submit an original Vietnamese driver’s license to the examiner – take a photo to make a license plastic card.
– PEI license issued fees: 104 CAD.
– A license of more than 2 years of driving experience in Vietnam will take the road test and will be issued a Class 5 License. The expiry date is the expiry of the visa or 5 years. Access PEI will hand out a G-decal to stick on the windshield. Access PEI will also issue a temporary license, original license will be sent by mail to your home within 2 weeks.
– Those who have not passed the road test are allowed to retake the road test, averagely after 3 weeks or depending on the number of exam registration, with no fee incurred and no restriction on the exam time.
Driving skills:
Compared to driving in Vietnam and requiring driving skills in PEI, there are a few points to note for a road test:
– Always seat belts before starting, looking at 3 mirrors (left, right, rear) oftenly while driving.
– Shoulder check when turning left-right or change lane and backing up.
– Sound the horn, shoulder check on both sides and behind, turn on signals before backing the car into the parking lot. It’s allowed to go back and forth a few times to get the car into the parking lot.
Note for left turns
Turn left into the one-way street: the one-way street has a White line in the middle, turn left to the left lane for cars.
Two-way street: it has a solid Yellow line, turn left to the right of its line.
Turn right into a multi-lanes: turn to the right lane, then change lane to the middle lane if necessary.
Do not cross over on cycle lane.
Driving through roundabouts:
- Approach roundabout: look for signs to choose your exit, do not change lanes inside the roundabout.
- Go straight: enter without signal and use your right-turn signal when exiting.
- Turn right: enter with right-turn signal, maintain signal till exit.
- Turn left: enter with left-turn signal, keep on signal inside roundabout and use your right-turn signal when exiting.
- U turn: same with turn left.
Note that the speed in the roundabout is 30 km/h, giving priority to vehicles on the left and large trucks (very important because Large vehicles may have to swing wide on the approach or within the roundabout. Give them plenty of room).
– When traveling on a road which has 2 lanes, reduce changing the lane if not required, keep going straight if there is no order, the order will be instructed before turning properly.
– Backing up to the parking lot: stop the car, use your right-turn signal, shoulder check behind and both sides, honking and back your car slowly and carefully. It’s allowed to go back and forth a few times to get the car into the parking lot. Vehicles equipped with a backing camera can be used but still have a shoulder check.
Driving notes:
- Respect the speed limit.
- 1 meter rule: when passing a bicyclist, be sure to be at least one meter away from them, if the road is narrow, they may be allowed to cross lanes (pay attention to watch the vehicle in the opposite direction).
- U-turn on the road will be very dangerous for all vehicles in traffic.
- Pedestrians are given priority to cross the road in PEI, except at intersections with traffic lights.
- Not pass on the right when the vehicle is stopping to wait its right to turn left into the internal road.
Based on real experience and reference of Tracy Nguyen’s post.
Author: Colin Tran.
