Manitoba Public Insurance is planning to resume both its Class 1 road tests and knowledge testing, beginning the week of May 18.

Class 1 testing (semi-trailer trucks) will initially start at Winnipeg’s Gateway Service Centre, with plans to resume at other locations moving forward. Meanwhile, MPI will be calling all customers who had previously booked knowledge tests that were cancelled, in order of their original test dates. These customers will be contacted by MPI to reschedule their appointment.

“Safety and protection is paramount for everyone involved,” said Satvir Jatana, Vice President, Employee and Community Engagement, Manitoba Public Insurance. “The Corporation has made several adjustments to the road test process to ensure the safety of both employees and customers.

“This resumption on Class 1 road tests and knowledge tests is a small step forward to the day we can resume other class road tests and services to our customers. COVID-19 dramatically changed our world and services we offer however we must all do our part to continue decreasing the curve.”

MPI will be contacting all customers who had previously scheduled Class 1 road tests that were cancelled due to COVID-19. These customers will be contacted shortly in order of their original test dates. New test bookings (Class 1 or knowledge) will not be available until all cancelled appointments have been rescheduled.

Due to close proximity within the truck cab, prior to starting the Class 1 road test, customers must do the following:

• Provide and wear their own mask (non-medical masks are permitted)
• Answer questions to ensure they have not been exposed to COVID-19
• Sanitize all touchpoints in their vehicle

A number of safety precautions will also be enforced for those taking the knowledge test:

• Customers are required to bring their own pen and are encouraged to provide and wear their own mask (non-medical and cloth masks are permitted).
• Customers will be required to sanitize their hands upon entering the testing location before writing their test and again prior to having their vision tested.

“If the customer is not able to comply with all of these requirements, their test may be cancelled and rebooked for a later time,” said Jatana. “At any time during the pre-test or road test, if the customer shows symptoms of a respiratory illness and/or COVID-19 (coughing, etc.), the test may be cancelled immediately and rebooked for a later time.”

Driver examiners will be wearing full personal protective equipment, including masks and eye protection.

All other classes of road tests are currently unavailable. The Corporation is working toward the safe resumption of all other testing services. More information on resumption of testing will be announced soon.