Imagine visiting ICBC and being asked, “What is your mother’s name?” or “What is your mother’s last name?” You know the answer, but you cannot remember exactly how you spelled it when your record was created.

This problem is more common with long names or names that have several possible English spellings. Persian examples include «قمرالملوک» (Ghamar-ol-Molouk), «خیرالنسا» (Kheyr-ol-Nesa) and «کلاه‌بلند دوغ‌آبادی» (Kolahboland Doughabadi).

The same issue can occur with Korean names such as 서연 (Seo-yeon / Seoyeon / Suh-yeon) or 지혜 (Ji-hye / Jihye / Ji Hye), and Japanese names such as ゆうこ (Yuko / Yuuko).

Although these spellings may refer to the same name, your answer must match the spelling originally recorded in your ICBC file.

What Is an ICBC Security Keyword?

When your driver’s licensing record is first created, you may be asked to choose a security keyword.

This keyword acts as a security answer and may be requested to help confirm your identity when you contact ICBC, visit a Driver Licensing office or use certain ICBC services.

The staff member may not always say, “Please provide your security keyword.” Instead, you may be asked:

• What is your mother’s name?

• What is your mother’s last name?

• What word or number did you provide for your file?

As a result, some people may not realize that the staff member is asking for the security keyword recorded in their file.

Why Can a Mother’s Name Cause Problems?

Many people choose their mother’s first or last name as their security keyword. This may initially seem simple, but it can become difficult if the name is long, contains several parts or has more than one possible English spelling.

You may remember the name correctly but not remember whether you entered it with a space, a hyphen or a particular combination of English letters.

This is especially common among newcomers because many Persian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Taiwanese, Mongolian, Kazakh, Uzbek and Afghan names can be written in English in several different ways.

What Should You Choose as Your Security Keyword?

Choose something that you can easily remember and spell without hesitation. For example:

• The last four digits of your current or previous telephone number;

• Your own last name;

• The name of one of your children;

• A short, familiar word;

• A simple combination of a word and a few numbers.

The most important thing is to remember the exact answer and spelling you selected. You may also keep it written in a secure place for your own reference.

The security keyword is only one part of the identity-verification process. ICBC staff also review your file, identification and other verification information or codes. Your keyword does not need to be unnecessarily complicated; something memorable is usually more practical.

What If You Do Not Understand the Question?

If an ICBC staff member asks about your mother’s name, your mother’s last name or another specific word, and you are unsure what they mean, do not guess. You can ask:

Are you asking for my ICBC security keyword?

You can always ask the staff member to explain the question or guide you through the process.

What If You Have Forgotten Your Security Keyword?

If you have forgotten your security keyword or its exact spelling, do not worry. It can be changed.

Ask ICBC for assistance. You may need to visit an ICBC Driver Licensing office with the required identification so your identity can be verified and a new security keyword can be added to your file.

Does a Driving School Need Your Security Keyword to Book a Road Test?

Urban Driving Academy does not ask students to send us their ICBC security keyword.

If we need to book a road test for a student, we first send the student a Consent Form. Once the form is signed, the test is booked through the driving school’s account. Therefore, the student does not need to provide their ICBC security keyword to the school.

Do Not Send Your Security Keyword to Unknown Individuals

If an unknown person asks you by text message, email or telephone to provide your ICBC security keyword, first confirm their identity and why they are requesting it.

When a road test is booked through Urban Driving Academy, we obtain a signed Consent Form and do not require the student’s security keyword.

Summary

An ICBC security keyword helps confirm your identity. Choose a short, familiar and memorable word or number, and make sure you remember its exact spelling.

If you do not understand the question, ask for clarification. If you have forgotten your keyword, contact ICBC for help changing it rather than guessing.