Narrative:

Ground cleared us to taxi to runway 08R after crossing runway 13 via left; hold short left. As we taxied to 08R via left; there was aircraft Y holding short of 08R at L4. The captain (ca) pulled in behind the aircraft Y as it was taxing onto runway 08R. I told the ca we were cleared to left; but this was my first time to this runway; and he said they usually want us at L4. I contacted ground to verify. Ground stated they cleared us to left not L4; but if we were able to depart L4; we could depart 08R at L4. The ca said yes we can take the L4 as the full length runway was 11;500 feet and L4 would not be an issue.the main contributing factor was the aircraft Y holding short of L4 of 08R in which we pulled in behind. This was night time; and the signage could be brighter for taxing to left; as you must veer to the right; and loop around back to runway 08R. The crew was given clearance to depart 08R at L4 by ground control prior to taxing onto the runway.L4 at 08R is well lit at night and very wide with lots of room. During night operations; crews should incorporate the possibility of pulling up to L4; and not left due to the size of the taxiway. The lesson I learned was to always contact ground to confirm; should any confusion arise with where they cleared you to taxi to.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Air carrier flight crew reported that poor lighting; inadequate airport markings; night time conditions; and lack of familiarity with the CYVR airport resulted in a taxiway incursion.

Narrative: Ground cleared us to taxi to Runway 08R after crossing Runway 13 via L; hold short L. As we taxied to 08R via L; there was Aircraft Y holding short of 08R at L4. The Captain (CA) pulled in behind the Aircraft Y as it was taxing onto Runway 08R. I told the CA we were cleared to L; but this was my first time to this runway; and he said they usually want us at L4. I contacted ground to verify. Ground stated they cleared us to L not L4; but if we were able to depart L4; we could depart 08R at L4. The CA said yes we can take the L4 as the full length runway was 11;500 feet and L4 would not be an issue.The main contributing factor was the Aircraft Y holding short of L4 of 08R in which we pulled in behind. This was night time; and the signage could be brighter for taxing to L; as you must veer to the right; and loop around back to Runway 08R. The crew was given clearance to depart 08R at L4 by Ground Control prior to taxing onto the runway.L4 at 08R is well lit at night and very wide with lots of room. During night operations; crews should incorporate the possibility of pulling up to L4; and not L due to the size of the taxiway. The lesson I learned was to always contact Ground to confirm; should any confusion arise with where they cleared you to taxi to.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.