Apply | Learner stage | Class 7 road test | Novice stage | Class 5 road test | Preparing for road tests
It would be fantastic if you could just snap your fingers and — poof! — become a great driver. But driving is complex. Gaining the necessary skills and experience takes time.
It's like an apprenticeship. You get the on-road experience you need, but with special restrictions on your licence that help to reduce your risk of crashing.
As you gain skills and experience, these restrictions are removed.
Anyone who disregards the restrictions faces tough penalties.
For new drivers, getting your full-privilege Class 5 driver's licence generally takes about three years. Here's a quick summary of the steps you'll go through (click on the links for more detailed information on each step):
To apply, you must be at least 16 years old. You must also have proper identification documents to apply. You will have to study RoadSense for Drivers, take a knowledge test and meet other standards of driver fitness. Apply at any driver licensing office.
After passing the knowledge test and meeting all application requirements, you'll get a Class 7 learner's licence. You can now drive supervised with certain licence restrictions. For example, you must drive with an L sign [click for definition] on your vehicle. The learner's licence is valid for two years after which you must re-qualify on the knowledge test.
When you get your learner’s licence, you’ll also be given a learner toolkit that includes Tuning Up – a hands-on manual for new drivers and their supervisors. It is designed to guide you through your driving practice sessions. You’ll also be given a Driver Experience Log to record your hours of driving practice.
Use your learner stage to get plenty of driving practice to develop the skills and gain the experience needed to pass the road test and build the foundation for life-long safe driving. The Driver Experience Log provided to you by ICBC with your learner’s licence has space to log at least 60 hours of driving practice.
You may also want to consider taking professional training.
After twelve months in the learner stage, you are eligible to take your Class 7 road test.
If you pass the Class 7 road test, you'll advance to the novice stage of graduated licensing. You receive a Class 7 (novice) licence. Some — but not all — licence restrictions are removed. You can now drive unsupervised, but there must be no alcohol in your body and you must display an N sign [click for definition].
Note: If you received your novice licence on or after October 6, 2003, you may not carry more than one passenger, unless you are also have a qualified supervisor with you (immediate family members [definition] are exempt from this restriction.)
After 24 months in the novice stage, you are eligible to take the second road test — the Class 5 road test. If you pass this test, you exit the graduated licensing program and receive your full-privilege, Class 5 driver's licence.
Are you planning to take a GLP-approved driver education course during the Learner stage? If successful you wwill be eligible for a six-month reduction in the waiting period before your Class 5 road test. To qualify....
There are fees for each knowledge test and road test you take, as well as fees for learner's licences and driver's licences.
