Third-party websites selling road test appointments amid ongoing backlog
The backlog at DriveTest centres across Ontario caused by COVID-19 is creating headaches for people trying to book road tests and now, some people are turning to third party websites to book an appointment as soon as possible.
"Since it reopened, it's been too busy — I can't get an appointment anywhere," Yogish Kumar, who finally secured a road test for his ‘G’ license after waiting four months, told CTV News Toronto on Thursday.
According to the Ministry of Transportation, approximately 421,827 drive tests have been cancelled since March 2020 due to ongoing restrictions.
On social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Instagram and Kijiji, numerous postings can be found guaranteeing to help book an appointment as soon as possible for a small fee.
In order to book the appointment, sellers request a driver's license and a location with fees ranging anywhere from $30 to $70.
Defence and traffic lawyer Joshua Halpern says the practice is legal, much like reselling concert or sporting events tickets, as long as conditions are met.
"First, you're using the identity of a real person to book the test. Second, you have permission of that person [and] third, you actually deliver on your promise," said Halpern.
"If you're not actually transferring the test to the person, once you take the money, you can be charged criminally with fraud under $5,000."
The Ministry of Transportation (MTO) is aware of the third-party service, but cautions against it, noting Drivetest.ca is the only official window for booking a road test.
"The Ministry of Transportation and DriveTest.ca are not responsible for road test appointments booked through third-party websites and cannot guarantee that those appointments will be honoured," spokesperson Lee Alderson said.
The MTO adds that the DriveTest website informs customers that there is no additional fee when scheduling a road test directly with them.
"DriveTest is not affiliated with other road test scheduling websites."
Since testing centres re-opened in the summer, the Ontario Safety League has been warning of scams where third-party sellers require the fee upfront, either by credit card or e-transfer, but do not book the appointment.
"People are using other driver’s licenses, jamming the system, then cancel those tests to rebook a test to a person they sold it to," Patterson said, adding that the Ontario Safety League has fielded several complaints.
"You can be given a fraudulent test package and then show up on the day and there is no test there and you're not in the system,” he said.
Patterson recommends reporting a drive test found on a third-party site to the MTO or Crimestoppers.
The MTO says a number of IT enhancements have been implemented to DriveTest.ca to help curb “bots” from accessing road test appointments, such as adding time limits on completing bookings and eliminating the ability to switch appointments between users.
Other measures include blocking IP addresses, blocking booking privileges for driver’s licences that are linked to “bot” calls and implementing a “no switch” policy.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A man was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.