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The Novice (N) stage of the Graduated Licence Program (GLP)

The Novice stage of the Graduated Licence Program (GLP) includes various restrictions such as alerting other drivers by displaying an N sign. There is an option to reduce your N stage by 6 months with an ICBC-approved driver education course.

Here you’ll find details about the Novice (N) stage licence for:

passenger vehicles (Class 7), and
motorcycles (Class 8).

Getting your novice driver’s licence

After you pass your Class 7 or 8 road test, we will take your photo and issue you a Class 7 or 8 licence. Now you enter the novice stage of your graduated licensing process.

The Class 7 and 8 novice licence is valid for 5 years.

Novice stage driving restrictions

Once you pass the Class 7 or 8 road test, you'll receive a Class 7 or 8 Novice (N) licence. Some — but not all — licence restrictions are removed.

Important! If you violate these restrictions or get any other tickets or prohibitions, you must pay graduated licensing penalties (PDF).

Restriction	Description
Display N sign	In the novice stage, you are issued a green N (Novice) sign — this replaces the L sign. When driving, you must display the N sign at the back of your vehicle so drivers behind can see it. If you are a motorcyclist with a Class 8 novice licence, you must display the N sign on the back of your motorbike or clothing so that drivers behind can see it. Lost your N? If you lose or misplace your N sign for your car or motorcycle, you must replace it immediately. There is no charge for this. This is a mandatory restriction and you can be fined for not replacing your N sign (PDF).
Zero blood-alcohol content	You must not drive with any alcohol in your body.
Passengers	You are limited to 1 passenger — unless you're driving a passenger vehicle and have a supervisor 25 years or older with a valid Class 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 driver's licence. What about family members? This restriction does not apply to immediate family members: mother, father, sister, brother, child, spouse, grandparent; including step and foster relationships.

Novice period

After a minimum of 24 months, most novice drivers are eligible to take the Class 5 or Class 6 road test. If you pass it, you get your full-privilege, Class 5 or Class 6 driver's licence.

Exceptions to 24-month rule

You must wait longer than 24 months to qualify for a full-privilege licence if you are prohibited from driving, or if your driver's licence is:

cancelled
surrendered
suspended, or
expired.

While you are unlicensed, your progress through the stages of graduated licensing is stopped.

Once you have your licence reinstated after a prohibition, your 24-month novice stage will start over from the beginning.

Reduce your novice 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.

Find an ICBC-approved driving education course location online external link

Full-privilege licence

A driver's licence that is free of the added restrictions normally associated with the learner and novice stage of the driver licensing process. Learn more about getting a full-privilege licence.
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)