Free BC House Trailer Practice Test 2025

Do You Need a House Trailer Endorsement?

You need to determine if you require a house trailer endorsement based on the weight of your recreational trailer. This special addition to your licence allows you to safely and legally tow larger recreational trailers on BC roads.

Understanding trailer weight limits

Your trailer’s weight determines what class of driver’s licence or endorsement you need. Most recreational trailers weigh less than 4,600 kg, and you can tow them with a regular Class 5 or 7 passenger car driver’s licence. The actual weight while towing matters more than the empty weight in your driveway.

Let’s say your RV trailer weighs 4,000 kg when empty. You can tow it with a standard Class 5 licence. All the same, the weight might go over 4,600 kg after you load it with furniture, water, food, and camping gear, which makes your licence not enough. The trailer’s Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) makes the difference – that’s the total weight of the trailer plus everything inside.

Are you unsure about the weight of your trailer? Please take it to a public weigh scale with full water tanks and all your gear packed like you would for a regular trip. Trailers that weigh more than this are usually longer than nine metres (28 feet).

When Code 07 is required

You’ll need a house trailer endorsement (Code 07) if your recreational trailer weighs more than 4,600 kg and neither the trailer nor your towing vehicle is equipped with air brakes. This gets added to your Class 4 or 5 driver’s licence.

Code 07 endorsement is only applicable to recreational house trailers. This category encompasses “toy haulers” – towable trailers that combine living space with a mobile garage for motorcycles, ATVs, or other recreational equipment. However, this endorsement cannot be used for other heavy trailers exceeding 4,600 kg, such as horse/house combination trailers, boat trailers, utility trailers, or standard horse trailers.

These non-recreational trailers over 4,600 kg need either a heavy trailer endorsement (Code 20) or a commercial Class 1, 2, or 3 licence. Your insurance may not be valid if you tow a trailer without the correct license, and you could be personally liable for any accident damages.

What if your trailer has air brakes?

Air brakes change things a lot. Trailers under 4,600 kg with air brakes need your standard licence plus an air brake endorsement (Code 15).

Your trailer weighs more than 4,600 kg and is equipped with air brakes? You’ll need to upgrade to a Class 1 commercial driver’s licence. Note that you can’t mix a heavy trailer endorsement (Code 20) with an air brake endorsement (Code 15) on a Class 5 licence to operate a vehicle combination over 4,600 kg with air brakes. A Class 1 licence is your only option here.

The right licence for your recreational trailer gives you proper training and skills to handle bigger, heavier trailers safely on the road. This is more than just following the law.

How to Prepare for the Knowledge Test

You need to prepare well for the knowledge test after confirming your house trailer endorsement requirements. The ICBC knowledge test helps you get your Code 07 endorsement.

Study the ICBC Towing a Recreational Trailer guide

Start by studying the ICBC Towing a Recreational Trailer guide. This guide serves as the official study material for your house trailer endorsement knowledge test. The guide provides great information about:

Driver licensing requirements for towing recreational trailers

How to select appropriate towing vehicles

Proper trailer connections and brake controls

Pre-trip inspection procedures

Safe driving techniques when towing heavy trailers

Recreational trailer safety precautions

You can download the complete guide as a PDF from ICBC's website. The guide's individual chapters are also available to review at your own pace.

Use the ICBC house trailer endorsement practise test

Practise tests are a vital part of your preparation. Here are your options:

Online practice tests designed specifically for the Code 07 house trailer
endorsement

Our practice tests match the actual ICBC knowledge test.

You can take these tests multiple times to build your understanding

The practice tests include a Resources section. Here you can review ICBC manual passages to clear up any confusion before your official test.

Tips for passing the knowledge test

These strategies will boost your chances of success:

Set up a regular study schedule instead of last-minute cramming

Study topics that appear often on the test like pre-trip inspection, defensive driving, and road signs

Master weight limits and trailer connection procedures

Read test questions with care, watching for qualifier words

Rule out wrong answers on tough questions

Small group or one-on-one training can help if you need extra support

Note that passing this test is your first step to getting a learner's licence. This licence lets you practise with a qualified driver before taking your road test.

Getting Your Learner’s Licence and Practising

Passing the knowledge test marks the beginning of your hands-on experience with larger recreational trailers. Several significant steps lie ahead before you can legally tow your house trailer.

What happens after passing the knowledge test

ICBC will issue a learner's licence for the house trailer endorsement after you pass your knowledge test. This licence remains valid for two years, giving you plenty of time to practise with your trailer and prepare for the road test. You must display an "L" sign when towing a recreational trailer over 4,600 kg during this period.

The Code 07 learner's licence differs from standard ones. It allows you to drive on highways and at night. You must still follow all other learner's licence conditions.

How to get your learner's licence

You can get your learner's licence after passing the knowledge test by:

Visit any ICBC driver licencing office

Present your current BC driver's licence (Class 5 or 4)

Pay the required endorsement fee

Complete the work to be done

You'll receive your learner's licence with the appropriate endorsement. Note that your goal extends beyond passing the upcoming road test. You need to develop real competence in handling large recreational trailers safely.

Practising with a trailer over 4,600 kg

A qualified supervisor must accompany you during practise sessions with your learner's licence. Your supervisor should have held the appropriate licence for at least two years and must sit in the passenger seat while you drive.

Start by becoming skilled at simple manoeuvres in empty car parks or quiet roads:

Straight-line backing - Cornering techniques - Lane positioning

Move on to more challenging scenarios like highway driving and parallel parking when ready. Take your time to feel comfortable with these skills before booking your road test.

Regular practise matters because the road test will assess your skills in handling the trailer safely in traffic conditions of all types. This includes proper pre-trip inspection procedures that you must demonstrate during your exam.

Booking and Passing the Road Test

You can book and pass the road test once you feel confident about your trailer handling skills. The house trailer endorsement (Code 07) road test costs CAD 69.67; however, seniors aged 65 and above can take it for free.

What to Expect During the Road Test

The Code 07 road test takes approximately an hour to assess your skills in safely operating a truck and trailer combination weighing over 4,600 kg. You'll need to show your basic driving skills and demonstrate how to hook and unhook the trailer from your towing vehicle. The test can be booked through ICBC's online system. You should arrive 15 minutes early with proper identification.

Pre-trip Inspection Requirements

Pre-trip inspection is a vital part of your road test. You get 20 minutes to complete this inspection. You must point out and physically check components while explaining what you're dissecting. The inspection has:

Engine compartment checks

Truck interior safety features

Light circle check (signals, clearance lights, brake lights)

Mechanical circle check (steering, tyres, suspension)

Brake response tests

Using a Driving School for Code 07 Training

Professional instruction can substantially boost your success chances. BC's driving schools provide specialised Code 07 training packages that cost between CAD 416 and 905, based on the school and services. These packages typically have:

Pre-trip inspection training (usually 3 hours)

On-road practical training including coupling and backing (3 hours)

Custom one-on-one instruction with your truck and trailer

FAQs

Do I need a special endorsement to tow a trailer in British Columbia?

You need a house trailer endorsement (Code 07) on your Class 4 or 5 licence if you're towing a recreational trailer weighing more than 4,600 kg without air brakes. For trailers under this weight, a standard Class 5 or 7 licence is sufficient.

What is the process for obtaining a house trailer endorsement in BC?

The process involves studying the ICBC Towing a Recreational Trailer guide, passing a knowledge test, obtaining a learner's licence, practising with a qualified supervisor, and finally passing a road test that includes a pre-trip inspection and demonstrating safe towing skills.

Can I use my RV or trailer as a permanent residence on my property in British Columbia?

No, using an RV or trailer as a full-time or seasonal dwelling is generally prohibited in BC. These vehicles do not comply with standard dwelling regulations and are not considered the same as manufactured homes.

What's the '80-20 rule' for towing, and why is it important?

The 80-20 rule suggests not towing a load heavier than 80% of your vehicle's towing capacity. This provides a safety margin in case of miscalculations and helps ensure safe towing practises.

How long does the road test for a house trailer endorsement take, and what does it involve?

The road test for a Code 07 endorsement typically lasts about an hour. It includes a 20-minute pre-trip inspection, demonstrating hooking and unhooking the trailer, and showcasing safe driving skills with the truck and trailer combination in various traffic conditions.