Graduated Licensing Program Reference Information:
In August of 1998 the Province of British Columbia and ICBC implemented our Graduated Licensing Program. It is aimed at easing New Drivers onto our roadways through a two stage licensing program. There are some very specific components of it that may or may not apply to you as a new driver in British Columbia.
If you are a new driver and have not held a license in another jurisdiction you will probably be licensed under the Graduated Licensing Program. If you have arrived from another jurisdiction inside Canada, the United States or Japan and hold a full license from that jurisdiction you should contact ICBC Driver Services to find out what you have to do to change your license to a BC Driver License. In the Lower Mainland you can call them at 604-661-2255 for more information. Licensed drivers from other countries will have to take both a Class 5 knowledge test, visual screening test and a road test to obtain a full BC License. There are time limits upon you for completion of these requirements. Check with ICBC about these.
Anyone applying for a first driver's licence, whether as a teen or an adult, enters the Graduated Licensing Program. This program is part of ICBC's and the BC government's commitments to save lives, reduce injuries, and keep insurance rates affordable.
Graduated Licensing Program Intro:
In Graduated Licensing, you need to pass two stages before you get your full privilege driver's licence: the Learner stage and the Intermediate stage. During both stages, there are driving restrictions. Some of these conditions are in force for the entire length of the program, but others are lifted once you reach the Intermediate stage. You spend at least 36 months in the program before you obtain your full privilege driver's licence (or 30 months if you successfully complete a driver education course approved by ICBC).
L Stage Restrictions (New Drivers)
Once you have a learner's licence (Class 7L) you may begin to practise driving under certain conditions: The Learner stage lasts a minimum of 12 months, but you may reduce this period by three months if you successfully complete a driver education course that's approved by ICBC and had a course start date prior to March 31, 2007 for the Graduated Licensing Program. New drivers must follow these conditions in the Learner stage:
Co-Pilot Requirement
During the Learner stage, a fully licensed adult must accompany you whenever you drive. Your co-pilot must hold either a full privilege British Columbia driver's licence (Class 5) or a British Columbia commercial driver's licence (Class 1, 2, 3 or 4) and be 25 years of age or older.
Zero Blood Alcohol Content
During both the Learner and Intermediate stages, your blood alcohol content must be zero when you're driving.
"L" New Driver Sign
When you get your learner's licence, you will receive a magnetic "L" which is your new driver sign. You must display this sign when driving, either in the rear windshield or attached to the rear exterior of your vehicle. The sign must be clearly visible to other drivers from behind your vehicle, unmodified or damaged and must be facing the correct direction.
Passenger Restriction for Class "L"
You may carry a maximum of two passengers: your licensed adult supervisor and one additional passenger.
Driving Hours
You may drive only between five a.m. and midnight.
Incentives
An ICBC "Approved" driver education course will award two High School credits toward graduation in B.C. public schools. The credits, which count toward the 52 needed for high school graduation will be granted for approved driver education courses passed after August 1, 1998. That's when BC's Graduated Licensing Program to reduce new-driver crashes came into effect. Take your copy of the ICBC Declaration of Completion into your high school office to obtain this credit if you qualify and have taken an "Approved" GLP course with Bestway. If you have completed an approved course with Bestway, and do not have your blue copy of the Declaration of Completion, please contact our office at 604-444-4468 for advice on how to proceed.
Why Graduated Licensing?
New drivers, regardless of age, are almost twice as likely to cause a collision as experienced motorists. In fact, one in five drivers is involved in a crash within the first two years on the road. In Graduated Licensing, you gain driving experience more gradually, under conditions that expose you to less risk. By the time you've finished the program, you'll have had the chance to drive in different seasons and conditions and on different roads. And that means you'll become a safer, more skilled driver.
Testing
The Level 1 Road Test
Once you've spent at least 12 months in the Learner stage, you may take the Level 1 road test(Class 7N). If you pass the Level 1 road test (Class 7N), you receive a Class 7 Novice driver's licence and move into the Intermediate stage of Graduated Licensing. All new drivers are required to have completed a minimum of 60 hours of driving before taking this test. Students who have taken an “Approved” Graduated Licensing Program Defensive Driving Course and have completed a minimum of 60 hours as well as the required In-Class training will receive a 6 month time reduction off of their Novice licensing stage, reducing the waiting time to 18 months from 24 months before the driver is eligible to take their Class 5 road test.
The Intermediate Stage (Novice Licence)
The Intermediate stage lasts a minimum of 24 months but you may reduce this period by six months if you successfully complete a driver education course that's approved by ICBC. In this stage, you may drive a passenger vehicle unaccompanied. You will also need to display the "N" new driver sign and follow the zero blood alcohol content condition.
Passenger Restriction for Class "N"
You are limited to one passenger unless you have a supervisor 25 years or older with a valid Class 1 - 5 driver's licence. This restriction does not apply to immediate family members: mother, father, sister, brother, child, spouse or grandparent; including step and foster relationships.
The Level 2 Road Test (Class 5)
Once you've spent at least 24 months in the Intermediate stage or 18 months if you have completed an ICBC “Approved” Graduated Licencing Program course, you may take the Level 2 test (Class 5) . If you pass this road test you will obtain your full Class 5 driver's licence. This test has been refined to reflect the necessary qualities that ICBC and the Province of British Columbia hope to see drivers display in the future. This test will not simply be a repeat of your first road test, but will look to your abilities to share the road safely and courteously with others. As well you will probably be given the task of Hazard Recognition while on the test. This test is more extensive in the testing process than the previous Class 7N road test. Brush up courses and additional information are available from Bestway prior to taking the Class 5 road test.
ICBC Graduated Licensing-Related Fees:
|
Knowledge test, vision test, road signs test | $15 |
| Class 7L photo learner driver's licence | $10 | |
| Level 1 Road Test (Class 7N) | $35 | |
| 5-year Class 7 photo novice driver's licence* | $75 | |
| Level 2 Test Price (Class 5) | $50 | |
| Class 5 upgrade of novice licence when expiration is > 6 months* | $17 | |
| Class 5 upgrade of novice licence when expiration is < 6 months* | $75 | |
| Tuning Up manual (replacement) "L" or "N" new driver signs | $5 |
*Licencing fees only apply when a road test is succesfully completed
**Note: If you fail a road test, you must pay the fees again when you retake the test.
You must also wait 24 hours before attempting to rebook a road test with ICBC after failing to qualify.
Private Licenses
Class 5 & Class 7
With a Class 5 or Class 7 license you may operate:
● a two-axled motor vehicle except for those listed under exclusions
● a motor home (including those with more than 2 axles)
● a limited speed motorcycle (moped)
● an all-terrain vehicle or all-terrain cycle
● a construction vehicle
● a two-axled vehicle with towed vehicles, provided the towed vehicles in that combination don't exceed 4,600 kilograms
Exclusions:
These two-axled vehicles cannot be operated with a Class 5 or 7 license:
● a motorcycle
● a bus
● school bus
● special activity bus
● special vehicle
● taxi or
● ambulance when used as designed
Minimum age: 16
Note: You may operate a school bus with a Class 5 or 7 license provided that the bus is a passenger vehicle with a seating capacity of not more than 10 passengers including the driver (refer to the Motor Vehicle Act Regulation 11.01).
Class 6 & Class 8
With a Class 6 or Class 8 license you may operate:
● motorcycles
● all-terrain cycles
● all-terrain vehicles (ATVs)
Minimum age: 16
Professional License Classes
License Classes 1 - 4 are the professional license classes, which allow you to operate vehicles such as buses, taxis and large trucks.
Note: You must have an air brake endorsement (restriction 15) on your driver's license to operate any vehicle equipped with air brakes, other than a construction vehicle.
Class 1
A class 1 driver's license permits you to operate any motor vehicle or combination of motor vehicles except for a motorcycle.
Minimum age: 19
Class 2
A Class 2 driver's license permits you to operate:
● a bus
● school bus
● special activity bus or special vehicle
● any combination of vehicles where the towed vehicles exceed 4600 kgs, provided the vehicles do not have air brakes
● any motor vehicle or combination of vehicles for which a Class 4 license is required
● all vehicles in class 4 and 5
Minimum age: 19
Class 3
A Class 3 driver's license permits you to operate:
● a mobile truck crane
● a tow car and its recovered vehicle
● all vehicles in Class 5
● motor vehicle with three or more axles except for a bus when used for its intended purpose
● combination of vehicles where the towed vehicles in that combination do not exceed 4600 kgs
● a combination of vehicles without air brakes where the towed vehicles exceed 4600 kgs
Minimum age:18
Class 4
A Class 4 driver's license permits you to operate:
● all vehicles in Class 5
● an ambulance or taxi
● a school bus
● special activity bus
● special vehicle
● a bus with a seating capacity of not more than 25 persons including the driver
Minimum age: 19
For more information about driver licensing in British Columbia, check out the ICBC website and click on Driver Licensing.
Getting a Learner's Licence
To begin to practise driving, you'll need a learner's licence. You must be at least 16 years old to apply.
The Knowledge and Road Signs Tests
When you apply for your learner driver's licence, you'll need to produce acceptable identification. You'll also have to take a knowledge test, a road signs test and qualify on a check of your vision, physical and medical condition. If you're under 19, one of your parents or a legal guardian should attend with you to sign your application. If you are not living with your parents or legal guardian, you may be eligible to apply to by-pass this requirement. There are nominal fees for the knowledge test and for the picture learner driver's licence. All the questions on the tests are taken from the “Learn to Drive Smart” study guide (formerly RoadSense for Drivers,) which is available at any Driver Services Centre. The passing mark for the knowledge and road signs test is 80%. If you fail one of the tests you may return another day to take it again. If you have to redo the test, you must pay the fee again.
Locations of the Driver Services Centres in Bestway's Teaching Areas:
Port Coquitlam Driver Services Centre
-
1930 Oxford Connector
Maple Ridge Government Agent
-
22787 Dewdney Trunk Road
Surrey Driver Services Centre
-
13426 - 78th Avenue
Langley Driver Services Centre
-
20290 Logan Avenue
Burnaby Driver Services Centre
-
3880 Lougheed Hwy
Vancouver Driver Licensing (Commercial Drive)
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2750 Commercial Drive
Vancouver Driver Licensing (Royal Centre)
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#221 - 1055 West Georgia Street
Vancouver Driver Licensing (Kitsalano)
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4126 MacDonald Street
All Driver Services offices are open 8:30 - 4:30 Monday to Friday. Driver Services has a central number for all enquiries - 604-661-2255.
The Vision Screening
Before you get a learner's licence, you'll need to pass a vision screening. In the screening, they test for vision sharpness, colour vision, depth perception and field of vision. If you need glasses or contact lenses to drive, please wear them when you go in. You don't need to book an appointment to take the written tests or the vision screening. Just go to any Driver Services Centre, Government Agent or Appointed Agent during business hours.
Medical Examination
If there is any question about your physical ability to drive,you may also be required to go to a doctor for a medical examination. If you have any questions about this, please contact your nearest Driver Services Centre.
The Tuning Up Manual
ICBC’s Tuning Up manual presents simple and practical suggestions for dealing with the most common situations encountered by new drivers. It’s a colourful, easy-to-read, 126-Sub-Page workbook written for new drivers and their co-pilots. It’s designed to be used at home and in the car during practice sessions. Broken into 20 practice sessions, Tuning Up starts right from the basics and gradually progresses to more complex skills such as passing. It also challenges new drivers to examine their attitudes and motives, which are important factors in safe driving. Tuning Up will be given to you, free of charge, when you get your learner’s licence. Others may pick up a copy for $5 (plus GST) at any Driver Services Centre.
Identification Requirements:
ICBC’s Tuning Up manual presents simple and practical suggestions for dealing with the most common situations encountered by new drivers. It’s a colourful, easy-to-read, 126-Sub-Page workbook written for new drivers and their co-pilots. It’s designed to be used at home and in the car during practice sessions. Broken into 20 practice sessions, Tuning Up starts right from the basics and gradually progresses to more complex skills such as passing. It also challenges new drivers to examine their attitudes and motives, which are important factors in safe driving. Tuning Up will be given to you, free of charge, when you get your learner’s licence. Others may pick up a copy for $5 (plus GST) at any Driver Services Centre.
Over the years, driver's licences and B.C. identification cards have become an important way to prove your identity. For your protection, you must now bring in two pieces of identification, one primary and one secondary, when applying for or renewing a B.C. driver's licence or B.C. identification card. This protects you against fraud by preventing someone from obtaining a driver's licence in your name, which could enable them to get a credit card or a bank card in your name. Examples of primary and secondary identification are listed below. Please note that your existing B.C. driver's licence may be substituted for either a primary or secondary identification document as listed above.
Photocopies:
Photocopies of documents are not acceptable unless certified by the issuing government agency as true copies of the original.
Name Changes:
If your legal name is different from that on either of your identification documents, you must also present a legal name change certificate or marriage certificate.
Immigrants Without Primary Identification:
If you were born outside Canada and do not have any of the required primary identification documents, please contact Citizenship and Immigration Canada at 1-888-242-2100.
Primary Identification:
B.C. driver's licence*, Birth Certificate, certain documents issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, including: Student or Work Visa; Record of Landing; Minister's, Visitor's, Refugee's or Returning Resident Permit.
*An existing B.C. photo driver's licence or learner's licence may be used for either (but not both) primary or secondary identification.
Secondary Identification:
Canadian or U.S. driver's licence, Passport, Change of Name certificate, British Columbia identification card (new digital style only,) Naturalization certificate Canadian Forces identification, Police identification (except for auxiliary identification), Foreign Affairs Canada or consular identification, other (certain additional documented proof of identify may be accepted if you don't have other secondary identification).
If you will be learning to drive in the Lower Mainland and need further information about these or any other local driving-related issues please give us a call at 604-444-4468. We’d be happy to help!
Class 7N (GLP) Road Test
The Class 7N road test is available to drivers who have held their Learners licence for the full 12 month duration required. The 7N (Novice) road test is approximately 45 minutes long and may be taken after receiving a valid B.C. Learners licence and completing the required duration practise. During your road test you will perform various maneuvers while an ICBC driver examiner marks your ability to drive in a safe, smooth, controlled manner. The examiner checks that you use the key driving skills outlined in the "Learn to Drive Smart" manual and assesses your See-Think-Do skills as well as your hazard perception skills.
Once a student has passed a Class 7N road test their new licence will enable them to drive unsupervised without time restrictions and with a limited number of passengers*. The Novice road test has been designed to test the students driving abilities and observation skills in order to help prevent the number of accidents involving new drivers in British Columbia.
*For more information on the Novice licence restrictions click HERE.
Mandatory Re-Examination
If you have received a letter from ICBC informing you that you are required to take a re-exam, it may be because a doctor reports a medical condition that may affect your personal fitness or ability to drive safely, the results of a previous re-exam suggested that follow-up testing is necessary or that an accident report, police report or other report has indicated that you may be unable, or unsure how, to handle a common driving situation.
There are many things that you may do to help improve your driving skills that ICBC suggests to all drivers who are required to take a re-exam. You may view ICBC's recommendations by clicking HERE to view their website.
At Bestway we offer brush up lessons, full courses or single lesson assessments to people of all ages who are required to take a re-examination in order to keep their licenses. With a wide service area and flexible hours, we can ensure that you have the best training and the highest confidence level you can achieve.
Defensive Driving
Our roads are increasingly busy, congested and inadequate for our traffic flow. You can reduce your risk by following these tips:
● do a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle before you depart check your tires & lights as well as refillable fluids
● ensure that your physical condition is optimal when you are driving (not under the influence of drugs or medication and fully awake and alert)
● plan your route before you depart
● listen to the traffic reports and check on lane closures or construction so you can avoid these areas well in advance
● when driving, always keep a cushion of space around your vehicle for safety
● be aware of other road users - especially pedestrians and motorcycles both of which can easily be missed
● look ahead when driving and be aware of everything around you around you (hazards, the lay of the road ahead, etc.)
● clearly communicate your intentions to others (signals, horn, hand-signals, etc.)
● always leave a safe following distance (2 seconds in the city and 4 seconds on the highway)
● pull over safely to talk on your cell phone or use a hands-free if you feel you MUST answer the phone while operating a motor vehicle
● obey the rules and regulatory signs where you drive
Tips for Lowering Stress
Driving is stressful. This is complicated by the pressure of everyday life. Road rage often seems to happen because of impatience brought on by stress about other things. We offer a few tips to lower your stress levels while driving:
● listen to the traffic reports prior to leaving and know where to avoid
● plan your route so you know where you are going
● give yourself extra time - leave early in case of road delays
● be a considerate and courteous driver - this avoids confrontation
● slow down and drive smoothly - smooth cornering and braking reduces stress
● if you feel unsure behind the wheel, you should improve your skills (training or practise)
● if you have children, keep books and entertaining items in the car to keep them amused
Driving in Adverse Conditions
The BC Lower Mainland is beautiful but we get frequent heavy rain and fog and occasional ice and snow. Adverse conditions affect your visibility (even in daylight,) and your traction (even when the road sometimes appears dry.) In these conditions, other drivers are also having the same problems.
If you feel unsure about driving in these conditions, it may be helpful for you to have a confidence-building lesson with one of our Instructors or join us in the classroom with a group to upgrade your skills, build your confidence and most importantly to keep you safe on the road.
A few tips to keep in mind when traveling in adverse conditions:
● If conditions are bad, don’t travel unless absolutely necessary. When the police or other official advise against travel, please heed their warnings.
● If conditions are extremely bad (such as a whiteout) you may have to pull over. Pull off the road as far as possible and turn on your emergency flashers.
● Adjust your speed to suit road and weather conditions.
● Obey road construction signs.
● Slow down.
