Big spike in Class 4 driver's licence test completions after Lyft and Uber's launch
There was a significant increase in new Class 4 commercial licence test completions in the weeks following the Passenger Transportation Board’s (PTB) decision to approve Lyft and Uber’s applications to operate in the ride-hailing region that includes Metro Vancouver.
The latest statistics provided by ICBC to Daily Hive show the successful completions of the Class 4 knowledge test number 440 for January and 600 for February of this year — up from 320 in January, 280 in February of 2019, 430 in November, and 350 in December of 2019.
For Class 4 road test completions, there were 320 in January and 350 in February this year. Contrast these completion numbers with 240 in January, 190 in February, 330 in November, and 340 in December of 2019.
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ICBC notes that its latest statistics are refined, as it now combines successful testing numbers with waived tests (those who are already qualified and do not need to take the test) and certified tests (those who completed certification through a driver training course).
Successful Completion – New Class 4 Drivers, including new drivers, waived tests, and certified tests. Click on the image for an enlarged version. (ICBC / Daily Hive)
But completions through waived and certified tests appear to account for a small portion of the total number of new completions.
There were concerns that the Class 4 licence requirement for ride-hailing could be a barrier for attracting a sufficient number of Lyft and Uber drivers to operate services that cover a large or complete geographical area of Metro Vancouver.
As well, there were was some uncertainty over the issue of separate and costly municipal business licences for ride-hailing companies and their drivers, but there is growing confidence from the regional consensus on the regional intermunicipal business licence, which will be managed by the City of Vancouver on behalf of all participating municipal jurisdictions.
Both ride-hailing companies initially launched with a small service area focused on the city of Vancouver, but over the past few weeks they have been gradually expanding their coverage to other parts of the region, with the most significant expansion occurring early this week. As of today, Lyft and Uber operate in the vast majority of the region’s area.
However, on-app wait times for the services remain a common complaint on social media.
Ride-hailing legislation in Fall 2018 by the provincial government mandated Class 4 licences, the same required of taxi drivers. A report from an all-party committee that recommended ride-hailing drivers in BC not be required to hold a Class 4 licence was rejected by the BC Ministry of Transportation in June 2019.
Lyft service area in Metro Vancouver as of March 2, 2020. (Lyft)
Uber service area in Metro Vancouver as of March 2, 2020. (Uber)
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