COVID-19
frequently asked questions
Have you resumed training?
Yes, we have resumed training. The ability to drive is an essential way of life in BC and can help provide people be less reliant on public transportation reducing a person’s risk of exposure to members of the general public.
What are you doing to provide a safe training environment?
We have reduced our classroom capacity to allow for physical distancing, and have increased the number of times our classrooms and vehicles are disinfected between training sessions. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can be provided for in-vehicle & classroom training should the student not have access to their own equipment to reduce the risk of any airborne particle transmission. Prior to training and/or registration, our staff will also complete a health screening questionnaire to ensure that everyone is healthy and able to complete training. The health screening questionnaire consists of the following questions:
- Are you experiencing (even mild symptoms) of cold, flu or Covid-19 like symptoms (fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath, sore throat and painful swallowing, stuffy or runny nose, loss of sense of smell, headache, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of appetite)?
- Are you experiencing difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, severe chest pain?
- Do you have a compromised immune system as a result of an underlying condition that would make you more susceptible to Covid-19?
- Have you travelled to any countries outside of Canada (including the US) within the last 14 days?
- Do you provide care or have close contact with a person with confirmed Covid-19?
- Have you or someone in your household been tested for Covid-19 within the last 48 hours?
what is ICBC doing to resume road tests?
ICBC has resumed road testing for all classes of licence with increased safety protocols. You can see more about ICBC's affected services and their return-to-work plan here.
I need to get my licence by a certain time or finish my training by a certain time, can you accommodate that?
We are working hard to accommodate all training requests and are currently scheduling car, truck and motorcycle sessions. We are still awaiting further updates regarding ICBC road test availability and wait times.
How are you going to accommodate GLP students who have extended past the 1-year deadline to receive benefits?
Valley Driving School has received extensions from ICBC for our GLP students who have been affected by Covid-19 to complete their training past the 1-year requirement. We will advise ICBC of affected students and ensure they still receive their GLP benefits (6 month N reduction & 2 high school credits).
Are you offering online training?
ICBC has not approved online learning at this time. While we are still completing in-person training to ensure drivers are able to complete their licensing requirements, we have reduced our classroom capacity to allow for physical distancing, and have increased the number of times our classrooms are disinfected between training sessions. Prior to training and/or registration, our staff will also complete a health screening questionnaire to ensure that everyone is healthy and able to complete training. All of our offices have been fitted with plexiglass barriers to reduce the chances of airborne particles between clients and our office staff.
My accident prevention course (APC) was scheduled with two other people, how will this work?
In order to limit the interaction between many people in a single vehicle, our existing Accident Prevention Courses (APC) have been revamped. As an alternative, a 3-hour classroom session highlighting driving experiences our students will experience after passing their road test, during the Novice stage of their licence will be held.
How can you assure me that my Instructor is Covid-19 free?
All of our office staff routinely conduct a health screening questionnaire with our Instructors to prevent potentially at risk interactions. Employee's showing any sign of illness, or suspect that they are ill, are sent home and asked to self-isolate and/or be tested by a medical professional to diagnose their symptoms. Following the recommendations they receive from a medical professional, our Instructors and staff will follow the steps they have been provided until their symptoms are completely resolved.
What steps will you take if a Valley Employee reports Covid-19 symptoms?
Employee's showing any signs of illness, or suspect that they are ill, are sent home and asked to self-isolate and/or be tested by a medical professional to diagnose their symptoms. Following the recommendations they recieve from a medical professional, our staff members will follow the steps they have been provided until their symptoms are completely resolved. Anyone that has been in contact with the potentially infected employee will be notified of the potential risk of exposure and be asked to contact Health Link BC at 8-1-1. They will then complete a health assessment to determine any necessary next steps. The employee's work area will be fully cleaned/disinfected using cleaning solutions approved by the Center for Disease Control, and have follow up cleanings booked to ensure any potential contaminant is neutralized.
