Update on COVID-19 customer relief measures

September 17, 2020

As ICBC returns to normal service levels, some of the measures put in place to assist customers during the early days of the pandemic will continue until the end of the year to ensure continued support for British Columbians as more drivers return to the road. They include the following:

• Knowledge test fee: ICBC is continuing the fee waiver for the first knowledge test ($15) for customers whose Class 5-8 learner's licence expired after March 16th until December 31, 2020. With thousands of new road tests now being added each month, it's expected that the vast majority of drivers will be able to schedule a road test appointment before their licence expires. The knowledge test is designed to enhance road safety by ensuring new drivers are familiar with and understand the rules of the road.

• Out-of-province licences: the need for new residents – who currently have a full out-of-province driver's licence – to obtain a B.C. driver's licence within 90 days of arrival, and for visitors to do the same within 6-months of arrival, will continue to be waived until December 31, 2020.

The following COVID-19 related measure continues until October 19, 2020:

• Plate fee: The plate fee ($18) will continue to be waived up to and including October 19, 2020. This measure was put in place to assist customers who cancelled their insurance policy during the early days of the pandemic and planned to re-insure their vehicle. Now that B.C. is in Phase 3 of B.C.'s Restart Plan, and more businesses and services have re-opened, more people are driving again. The measure also applies to all new policies that require new licence plates.

To continue supporting our customers and adhere to our enhanced safety protocols, the following measures will remain in place:

• Payment deferrals: Customers may apply to defer their monthly insurance payment by up to 90 days.

• Licence renewals: Customers may continue to renew their driver's licence by phone.

• Insurance by phone or email: Customers may continue to renew or make adjustments to their insurance policy by phone and email.

Customers asked to plan ahead and book an appointment.

Customers are asked to book an appointment online to schedule their visit to an ICBC driver licensing office. This allows our offices to maintain physical distancing and limit the number of customers waiting outside of the office. The majority of visits to an office are now scheduled using the appointment service.