As of Oct. 25, anyone in Saskatchewan wanting to take a road test to get their operators license will have to have proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.

SGI’s Tyler McMurchy explained the rationale behind it.

“This move is intended to improve safety for both our customers and our employees,” McMurchy said. “Obviously, when you’re taking a road test, you’re in an enclosed space with another person, and this is something that’s going to improve safety for all concerned.”

Previously, he said people taking their tests had an examiner follow in a vehicle behind the applicant, but that lead to a backlog.

“We’ve got some safe work procedures that fortunately have kept our employees and the applicants safe as well, both are wearing masks and that’s going to continue as well,” McMurchy said. “This is an extra step to keep everyone safe.”

McMurchy said numbers recently published by the Saskatchewan Health Authority, young people are over-represented among those who are unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated.

“Those tend to be the same demographics that are taking their road tests. Over the past 12 months, 50 percent of those taking an SGI road test have been age 19 or under, and 38 percent have been between the ages of 20 and 30,” McMurchy said. “This really is one of those moves that is intended to help keep our customers safe.”

In accordance with provincial government direction, SGI employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or provide proof of a recent negative test.

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