How do I get an air brake endorsement in B.C.?

Complete an air brake course, apply at a driver licensing office and pass the knowledge test, then book and pass the air brake pre-trip inspection test.

How long is my air brake knowledge test pass valid?

One year. Complete the pre-trip inspection test within that time.

How many questions are on the B.C. air brake test?

ICBC's guide does not state a number. Our mock exam uses 30 questions with an 80% target as practice.

What happens if I fail the air brake knowledge test?

Wait 7 days to retest. After three failed attempts, you must complete or repeat a 7-hour course.

B.C. Air Brake Practice Test 2026

Pregunta 1 de 25

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

Code 7
Code 5
Code 20
Code 15

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. Code 15

The air brake endorsement is code 15.

Pregunta 2 de 25

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

Only to drive a bus with air brakes
Only to drive outside B.C. in another province
To drive an air-brake vehicle on a highway, except construction vehicles
Only for vehicles heavier than 63,500 kg

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: 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.

Pregunta 3 de 25

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

No, never
Yes, most of them do
Only school buses
Only if they are over 30 years old

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. Yes, most of them do

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

Pregunta 4 de 25

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

Complete an air brake course
Get a medical exam
Book a road test
Buy a truck with air brakes

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: 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.

Pregunta 5 de 25

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

1 hour of online video, with no practical training
40 hours of classroom theory over two weeks
7 hours of classroom theory and 4 hours of practical training
2 weeks of driving on the road with a trainer

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: 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.

Pregunta 6 de 25

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

It is taught only in a truck, with no theory
It includes a road test in traffic
It is longer, with extra classroom days
It has only the 7 hours of classroom theory

Ver respuesta

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

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

Pregunta 7 de 25

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

For life
Five years
One year
One month

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. One year

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

Pregunta 8 de 25

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

You must take a road test instead
You can never take the test again
You must wait 5 years to try again
You must complete or repeat a 7-hour course

Ver respuesta

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

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

Pregunta 9 de 25

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

A parallel parking test with a trailer
The air brake pre-trip inspection test
A night driving test on a highway
A two-hour road test in traffic

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: 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.

Pregunta 10 de 25

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

Yes, in a tractor-trailer
No
Yes, but only at night
Yes, in a bus

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. No

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

Pregunta 11 de 25

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

1 day
60 days
30 days
7 days

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: D. 7 days

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

Pregunta 12 de 25

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

Learn to Ride Smart
Driving Commercial Vehicles
Tuning Up for Riders
Towing a Recreational Trailer

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. Driving Commercial Vehicles

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

Pregunta 13 de 25

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

A full engine inspection
A tire change on the trailer
An air brake pre-trip inspection
A fuel economy check

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. An air brake pre-trip inspection

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

Pregunta 14 de 25

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

About four-tenths of a second
About 4 seconds
About 1 full minute
No time at all

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. About four-tenths of a second

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

Pregunta 15 de 25

Why does air brake lag matter for following distance?

It adds distance before the brakes work, so you need a bigger gap
It only matters when the vehicle is parked
It lets you follow more closely than a car
It makes the brakes work instantly, so gaps can be small

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: 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.

Pregunta 16 de 25

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

The truck stops faster than before
The air compressor stops pumping
Nothing; one brake out of 16 does not matter
The other brakes must do more of the work

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: 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.

Pregunta 17 de 25

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

Up to $20
Up to $100
Up to $2,000
No fine, only a warning

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. Up to $2,000

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

Pregunta 18 de 25

What temperature should brake parts not go above?

About 900 °C
About 60 °C
About 250 °C
About 120 °C

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. About 250 °C

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

Pregunta 19 de 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?

Never; use only the gears
Only after the brakes start to smell
Only at the bottom of the hill
Right away, while the brakes are still cool

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: 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.

Pregunta 20 de 25

Which mix of things requires the most stopping power?

Double the speed and double the weight
Double the weight only
Double the speed only
Half the speed and double the weight

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: A. Double the speed and double the weight

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

Pregunta 21 de 25

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

Only trailers under 1,000 kg
No trailers; only the tractor needs it
Only boat and recreational trailers
Commercial trailers with air brakes

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: 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.

Pregunta 22 de 25

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

Brake lightly for a short distance to dry the brakes
Drain the air tanks right away at the roadside
Speed up so the wind dries the brakes
Pump the brakes hard several times at speed

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: 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.

Pregunta 23 de 25

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

To remove water from the tanks
To pump air into the storage tanks
To measure push rod stroke
To apply the parking brake

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. To pump air into the storage tanks

The engine-driven compressor pumps air into the tanks.

Pregunta 24 de 25

Which part senses tank pressure and controls the compressor?

The slack adjuster
The governor
The brake chamber
The brake drum

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: B. The governor

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

Pregunta 25 de 25

What is at the bottom of each air tank?

A pressure gauge
A fuel filter
A drain valve
A brake shoe

Ver respuesta

Respuesta: C. A drain valve

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

B.C. Air Brake Practice Test 2026

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