PassRankCanada
Unlock 3D

Penalty points and offences knowledge test practice

Free, no accountBased on Learn to Drive Smart

10free questions
40/50to pass the test
7guide sections

What you need to know

In British Columbia, many driving offences carry penalty points as well as a fine. The points are added to your driving record. A driver who collects too many points in a short time can face extra premiums and, for serious or repeated problems, driving prohibitions. New drivers in the GLP are watched even more closely.

Points follow how risky the behaviour is. Using a hand-held electronic device is one of the heaviest everyday offences at 4 points. Speeding, failing to yield to a pedestrian, making an improper turn and passing without a clear view each carry 3 points, and running a red light carries 2.

Some offences go beyond points. Excessive speeding, which means driving 40 km/h or more over the limit, can lead to the vehicle being impounded on the spot. Rather than memorising every fine amount, learn which behaviours are penalised and why: each one is a common cause of serious crashes.

Learn to Drive Smart: Penalty points · Distracted driving · Traffic signals · Pedestrians · Speed limits · Passing · Turning

10 practice questions

Pick an answer to see whether it is right and why.

1 of 10✓ 0

How many penalty points apply to using a hand-held electronic device while driving?

Mark one answer

All the questions with answers

  1. 1. How many penalty points apply to using a hand-held electronic device while driving?

    Answer: 4 points

    A distracted driving ticket carries 4 points, which is more than most other everyday offences. It reflects how dangerous looking away from the road is.

    Learn to Drive Smart: Penalty points · Distracted driving

  2. 2. How many penalty points does running a red light carry?

    Answer: 2 points

    Disobeying a red light costs 2 points, plus a fine. It can also be a serious crash risk for everyone at the intersection.

    Learn to Drive Smart: Penalty points · Traffic signals

  3. 3. A driver fails to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. How many penalty points does this offence carry?

    Answer: 3 points

    Failing to yield to a pedestrian carries 3 points. Pedestrians are the most vulnerable users, so drivers are expected to stop for them.

    Learn to Drive Smart: Penalty points · Pedestrians

  4. 4. What can happen to a driver caught going 40 km/h or more over the speed limit?

    Answer: The vehicle can be impounded

    Going 40 km/h or more over is excessive speeding. Police can impound the vehicle at the roadside as well as issue a fine and points.

    Learn to Drive Smart: Penalty points · Speed limits

  5. 5. Which of these offences carries the most penalty points?

    Answer: Using a hand-held phone while driving

    Using a hand-held device is 4 points. The others carry 2 or 3 points, so distracted driving is the heaviest of the four.

    Learn to Drive Smart: Penalty points

  6. 6. A driver passes another vehicle without a clear view of oncoming traffic. How many penalty points apply?

    Answer: 3 points

    Passing without a clear view of the road ahead carries 3 points. It is dangerous because you may have no room to finish the pass.

    Learn to Drive Smart: Penalty points · Passing

  7. 7. Where are penalty points recorded?

    Answer: On your driving record

    Points go on the driver's record, not the vehicle. Many offences and a lot of points over a short time can lead to extra costs or restrictions.

    Learn to Drive Smart: Penalty points

  8. 8. Why does BC attach penalty points to offences such as speeding and distracted driving?

    Answer: To discourage the behaviours that cause the most crashes

    Points target risky behaviour. A driver who keeps repeating it builds up a record that can lead to higher costs and prohibitions.

    Learn to Drive Smart: Penalty points

  9. 9. How many penalty points does making an improper turn carry?

    Answer: 3 points

    An improper turn, for example from the wrong lane, is 3 points. Turning from the wrong position puts other vehicles and cyclists at risk.

    Learn to Drive Smart: Penalty points · Turning

  10. 10. A driver gets a ticket for each of these in one month: a red light and a hand-held phone. How many penalty points is that in total?

    Answer: 6 points

    A red light is 2 points and a hand-held device is 4 points, so the total is 6. Points from separate tickets add up on your record.

    Learn to Drive Smart: Penalty points

Questions people ask
How many penalty points is a distracted driving ticket in BC?
Using a hand-held electronic device while driving carries 4 penalty points. It also brings a fine, and GLP drivers can face extra consequences.
What is excessive speeding in BC?
Driving 40 km/h or more over the posted limit. Police can impound the vehicle on the spot, on top of the fine and points.
Do penalty points show on my driving record?
Yes. Points from convictions are added to your record, and too many can lead to extra costs or driving restrictions.
50Sit a full 50-question mock testEvery topic, 45 minutes on the clock, 40 right to pass.

Other knowledge test topics

Rules summarised from ICBC's Learn to Drive Smart guide. Questions written by PassRank. These are not the official ICBC knowledge test questions.