B.C. Air Brake Practice Test 2026

1. Question 1 of 25

   In B.C., which code on your licence shows the air brake endorsement?

   • ACode 7
   • BCode 5
   • CCode 20
   • DCode 15
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Code 15

   The air brake endorsement is code 15.

2. Question 2 of 25

   When do you need an air brake endorsement in B.C.?

   • AOnly to drive a bus with air brakes
   • BOnly to drive outside B.C. in another province
   • CTo drive an air-brake vehicle on a highway, except construction vehicles
   • DOnly for vehicles heavier than 63,500 kg
   Show answer

   Answer: C. To drive an air-brake vehicle on a highway, except construction vehicles

   The endorsement is required to operate air-brake vehicles on a highway, except construction vehicles.

3. Question 3 of 25

   Do vehicles with air-over-hydraulic brakes need the air brake endorsement in B.C.?

   • ANo, never
   • BYes, most of them do
   • COnly school buses
   • DOnly if they are over 30 years old
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Yes, most of them do

   The endorsement is also required for most air-over-hydraulic vehicles.

4. Question 4 of 25

   What is the first step to get an air brake endorsement in B.C.?

   • AComplete an air brake course
   • BGet a medical exam
   • CBook a road test
   • DBuy a truck with air brakes
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Complete an air brake course

   The steps are: complete an air brake course, study, apply and take the knowledge test, then pass the air brake pre-trip inspection test.

5. Question 5 of 25

   How long is a certified air brake course in B.C.?

   • A1 hour of online video, with no practical training
   • B40 hours of classroom theory over two weeks
   • C7 hours of classroom theory and 4 hours of practical training
   • D2 weeks of driving on the road with a trainer
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 7 hours of classroom theory and 4 hours of practical training

   A certified course has 7 hours of classroom theory and 4 hours of practical training.

6. Question 6 of 25

   How does a non-certified air brake course differ from a certified one in B.C.?

   • AIt is taught only in a truck, with no theory
   • BIt includes a road test in traffic
   • CIt is longer, with extra classroom days
   • DIt has only the 7 hours of classroom theory
   Show answer

   Answer: D. It has only the 7 hours of classroom theory

   A non-certified course has 7 hours of classroom theory without the practical training.

7. Question 7 of 25

   For how long is a passed air brake knowledge test result valid in B.C.?

   • AFor life
   • BFive years
   • COne year
   • DOne month
   Show answer

   Answer: C. One year

   The air brake knowledge test result is valid for one year.

8. Question 8 of 25

   What happens after three failed attempts at the air brake knowledge test in B.C.?

   • AYou must take a road test instead
   • BYou can never take the test again
   • CYou must wait 5 years to try again
   • DYou must complete or repeat a 7-hour course
   Show answer

   Answer: D. You must complete or repeat a 7-hour course

   After three failures, you must complete or repeat a 7-hour air brake course.

9. Question 9 of 25

   After passing the air brake knowledge test, what practical test must you pass in B.C.?

   • AA parallel parking test with a trailer
   • BThe air brake pre-trip inspection test
   • CA night driving test on a highway
   • DA two-hour road test in traffic
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The air brake pre-trip inspection test

   You book and pass an air brake pre-trip inspection test. No road test is required for the endorsement.

10. Question 10 of 25

    Is a road test required for the air brake endorsement in B.C.?

    • AYes, in a tractor-trailer
    • BNo
    • CYes, but only at night
    • DYes, in a bus
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No

    The air brake endorsement needs a knowledge test and a pre-trip inspection test, but no road test.

11. Question 11 of 25

    You fail the air brake pre-trip inspection test. How long must you wait to retake it?

    • A1 day
    • B60 days
    • C30 days
    • D7 days
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 7 days

    The waiting period for knowledge tests and pre-trip tests is 7 days.

12. Question 12 of 25

    Which guide does ICBC say you can use to study for the air brake endorsement?

    • ALearn to Ride Smart
    • BDriving Commercial Vehicles
    • CTuning Up for Riders
    • DTowing a Recreational Trailer
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Driving Commercial Vehicles

    ICBC's Driving Commercial Vehicles guide covers commercial classes, the air brake endorsement and the heavy trailer endorsement.

13. Question 13 of 25

    On a Class 1 road test in a vehicle with air brakes, which inspection is included?

    • AA full engine inspection
    • BA tire change on the trailer
    • CAn air brake pre-trip inspection
    • DA fuel economy check
    Show answer

    Answer: C. An air brake pre-trip inspection

    Road tests include an air brake pre-trip inspection when the vehicle has air brakes.

14. Question 14 of 25

    About how much time does air brake lag add before the brakes begin to apply?

    • AAbout four-tenths of a second
    • BAbout 4 seconds
    • CAbout 1 full minute
    • DNo time at all
    Show answer

    Answer: A. About four-tenths of a second

    Air brake lag time is about 4/10 of a second.

15. Question 15 of 25

    Why does air brake lag matter for following distance?

    • AIt adds distance before the brakes work, so you need a bigger gap
    • BIt only matters when the vehicle is parked
    • CIt lets you follow more closely than a car
    • DIt makes the brakes work instantly, so gaps can be small
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It adds distance before the brakes work, so you need a bigger gap

    Lag time is added to perception and reaction time, so the truck travels further before braking starts.

16. Question 16 of 25

    A truck has 16 brakes and one is out of adjustment. What happens?

    • AThe truck stops faster than before
    • BThe air compressor stops pumping
    • CNothing; one brake out of 16 does not matter
    • DThe other brakes must do more of the work
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The other brakes must do more of the work

    Each brake is designed to do its share. If one is out of adjustment, the others work harder and may overheat.

17. Question 17 of 25

    What is the possible fine for brakes that are not correctly adjusted?

    • AUp to $20
    • BUp to $100
    • CUp to $2,000
    • DNo fine, only a warning
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Up to $2,000

    Brakes not adjusted or not performing properly can bring a fine of up to $2,000.

18. Question 18 of 25

    What temperature should brake parts not go above?

    • AAbout 900 °C
    • BAbout 60 °C
    • CAbout 250 °C
    • DAbout 120 °C
    Show answer

    Answer: C. About 250 °C

    Brake parts reach about 120 °C in normal stops and should not exceed about 250 °C.

19. Question 19 of 25

    On a downgrade your speed creeps above your safe speed. When should you brake to bring it down by 10 to 15 km/h?

    • ANever; use only the gears
    • BOnly after the brakes start to smell
    • COnly at the bottom of the hill
    • DRight away, while the brakes are still cool
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Right away, while the brakes are still cool

    ICBC advises braking hard enough to cut 10 to 15 km/h while the brakes are still cold, then shifting to a lower main gear.

20. Question 20 of 25

    Which mix of things requires the most stopping power?

    • ADouble the speed and double the weight
    • BDouble the weight only
    • CDouble the speed only
    • DHalf the speed and double the weight
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Double the speed and double the weight

    Doubling both speed and weight needs eight times the stopping power.

21. Question 21 of 25

    Since April 1, 2000, which trailers must have anti-lock brakes in Canada?

    • AOnly trailers under 1,000 kg
    • BNo trailers; only the tractor needs it
    • COnly boat and recreational trailers
    • DCommercial trailers with air brakes
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Commercial trailers with air brakes

    ABS is mandatory on commercial trailers with air brakes, and on trucks and buses over 4,560 kg built since April 1, 2000.

22. Question 22 of 25

    You drive through deep water. What should you do afterward?

    • ABrake lightly for a short distance to dry the brakes
    • BDrain the air tanks right away at the roadside
    • CSpeed up so the wind dries the brakes
    • DPump the brakes hard several times at speed
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Brake lightly for a short distance to dry the brakes

    After driving through water, use light brake pressure for a short distance to dry the brakes.

23. Question 23 of 25

    In this air brake diagram, what is the job of the air compressor?

    • ATo remove water from the tanks
    • BTo pump air into the storage tanks
    • CTo measure push rod stroke
    • DTo apply the parking brake
    Show answer

    Answer: B. To pump air into the storage tanks

    The engine-driven compressor pumps air into the tanks.

24. Question 24 of 25

    Which part senses tank pressure and controls the compressor?

    • AThe slack adjuster
    • BThe governor
    • CThe brake chamber
    • DThe brake drum
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The governor

    The governor tells the compressor when to stop (cut out) and start (cut in) pumping.

25. Question 25 of 25

    What is at the bottom of each air tank?

    • AA pressure gauge
    • BA fuel filter
    • CA drain valve
    • DA brake shoe
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A drain valve

    Each tank has a drain valve to remove water and oil.

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