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Learner’s (L) stage of the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP)

The Learner’s (L) licence stage of the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) includes Learner’s (L) stage driving restrictions, including the L sign to alert other drivers that you are a new passenger vehicle driver or new motorcycle driver.

After passing all Learner’s (L) requirements, you'll receive a temporary paper licence. Your photo (Class7L or 8L) licence will arrive in the mail.

Learner’s (L) stage driving restrictions

If you violate these restrictions, you must pay graduated licensing penalties (PDF).

Passenger Vehicle (Class 7L)	Motorcycle (Class 8L)
Qualified Supervisor You must be accompanied by a Supervisor who is 25 or older and has a valid driver's licence (Class 1/2/3/4 or 5). He or she must sit beside you in the front passenger seat.	Qualified Supervisor Until you pass the motorcycle skills test, you must always ride within sight of a qualified Supervisor - someone 25 or older who holds a valid Class 6 licence.
Minimum 12 months After 12 months you qualify to take your first road test - the Class 7 road test. You can stay in the learner stage as long as you need to. Your Learner's (L) licence is valid for 2 years (but can be renewed by re-qualifying on the knowledge test).	Minimum 12 months Your application was accepted. You passed your knowledge and vision tests. You've been issued a motorcycle Learner's (L) (Class 8) licence. The Class 8 learner's licence is valid for 2 years. You can renew by re-qualifying for the Knowledge Test and redo the Motorcycle Skills Test.
Passenger restriction You may carry a maximum of 2 passengers: your licensed adult Supervisor and 1 other person.	No passengers You must not carry any passengers.
Driving hours You may drive only between 5 a.m. and midnight.	Restricted riding hours You are permitted to ride only during daylight hours, that is, between sunrise and sunset. You must not exceed 60 km/h until you pass the Motorcycle Skills Test.
L sign When you're driving, you must display a red L (Learner) sign. The sign alerts others that you're a new driver so they can give you more space.	L sign You must display a red L (Learner) sign on the rear of your motorcycle. You can also display it on your clothing as long as it is clearly visible from behind your motorcycle.
Zero blood-alcohol content There must be no alcohol in your body when you drive.	Zero blood-alcohol content There must be no alcohol in your body when you drive.
After 12 months you qualify to take your first road test - the Class 7 road test. You can stay in the learner stage as long as you need to.	After 30 days, you can take the Motor Cycle Skills test and when you pass, you can ride without a Supervisor.
Your Learner's (L) licence is valid for 2 years (but can be renewed by re-qualifying on the knowledge test).	Your Class 8 Learner's (L) licence is valid for 2 years. You can stay in the Class 8 learner stage as long as you want. However, after 2 years, your motorcycle Learner's (L) licence will expire.

Your L sign to reduce your driving risk

An L (Learner’s) sign lets other motorists know that you're a new driver so they can give you more space on the road. Its helps reduce your risk of crashing while you're still gaining skills and experience. You must display the official ICBC L sign to be clearly visible to drivers behind you:

On your rear windshield, inside or outside, or
Elsewhere outside your vehicle, at the back

If you lose or misplace your L sign for your car or motorcycle, you must replace your L sign immediately. There is no charge for this. This is a mandatory restriction and you could be fined if your L sign is not replaced.

While you’re in the L stage, you can reduce your N stage by 6 months

Driver Training Schools with a Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) designation are designed to help you attain the driving skills, knowledge and attitudes you need to become a safe driver. These are ICBC-approved driver education courses. New drivers will be eligible for a 6-month reduction in the GLP Novice (N) stage if they meet certain requirements.

Find an ICBC-approved driving education course location online

L sign

A sign which alerts others that you're a new driver so they can give you more space. It must be an official L sign issued by ICBC. You must display the official L (Learner) sign where it is clearly visible to drivers behind you (1) on your rear windshield, inside or outside, or (2) elsewhere outside your vehicle, at the back.
N sign
A sign which lets other motorists know that you're a novice driver so they can give you more space on the road. Its use should help reduce your risk of crashing while you're still gaining skills and experience. Remember: police reports show that new drivers are almost twice as likely as more experienced drivers to cause a collision in their first two years of driving. You must display the official N sign where it is clearly visible to drivers behind you:
- on your rear windshield, inside or outside, or
- elsewhere outside your vehicle, at the back
Read more about Graduated licensing.
N sign - motorcycles

A sign which lets other motorists know that you're a novice driver so they can give you more space on the road. Its use should help reduce your risk of crashing while you're still gaining skills and experience. Remember: police reports show that new drivers are almost twice as likely as more experienced motorists to cause a collision in their first two years of driving. You must display the N (Novice) sign on the rear of your motorcycle or on your clothing so that drivers behind you can see it when you're riding. It must be an official N sign issued by ICBC. Read more about the steps to getting a motorcycle licence.
Risk

The chance of financial loss.
Supervisor
An adult supervisor of learning drivers who:
- must be 19 or older (25 or older for learners in graduated licensing) and
- hold a valid B.C. licence to drive a:
  - passenger vehicle (Class 5) or
  - commercial vehicle (Class 1, 2, 3 or 4)
Vehicle (Motor Vehicle)

For the purposes of vehicle registration, a motor vehicle means a vehicle, not run on rails, that is designed to be self-propelled or propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but does not include a motor assisted cycle. A motor vehicle has an engine, frame and body, and is recognizable as a car, truck, bus, or motorcycle.