B.C. gov’t to remove second driver’s test, introduce wait period for new licensing

The B.C. government is working to streamline its graduated driver licensing process by eliminating the requirement for a second road test and extending the restriction period for new drivers.

On Wednesday, the province announced it is introducing legislation to remove the requirement to obtain a Class 5 license — a move intended to reduce long wait times for new drivers seeking their full licence.

“Instead, for those drivers eligible to move to a Class 5 licence, government will be creating a new 12-month restriction period, during which they must demonstrate safe driving behaviour to progress,” said the province in a press release.

It says the changes will reduce the crash risk that comes with inexperience, remove requirements “not proven” to increase road safety, and decrease wait times for those seeking a road test to earn their ‘Novice’ licence.

Last week, the ICBC apologized to its customers, some of whom were seeing months-long wait times to book a driver’s test.

How licensing works now

Currently, B.C. drivers must pass two road tests.

First, they must pass a Class 7 test, at which point they enter the ‘Novice’ stage — indicated by a magnetic ‘N’ sticker on vehicles.

The ‘Novice’ stage lasts 24 months but can be reduced with approved driver training.

After that, drivers can take a Class 5 test to become fully licensed.

What’s changing

Under the new regulations, the province says the Class 5 test requirement will be removed.

Instead, new drivers will need to complete an additional 12-month stage — and maintain a clean driving record — before automatically earning their full licence.

Kyla Lee, a Vancouver-based lawyer with Acumen Law and driving law specialist, says the change is generally a positive step — but also a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

“It’s going to save government a lot of money, not paying for a second road test for every single driver going through the Graduated Licensing Program. But it’s also going to be profitable,” Lee told 1130 NewsRadio.

Drivers will be monitored and have their record assessed during the new 12-month period, which Lee says could lead to drivers facing harsher consequences during their earliest days of being behind the wheel.

“This means [the province is] going to collect more revenue on disputes of licence prohibitions; they’re going to collect more revenue on disputes of suspensions for alcohol or drugs; and they’re going to collect more revenue on the reinstatement fees for people’s licences,” Lee explained.

She’s also dubious that the changes will result in safer roads.

“As soon as you put two years between somebody’s initial road test and when they’re given the go-ahead to be an unrestricted driver, you run into a situation where you’re not maintaining the proper oversight over people as they’re developing their driving skills in a way that could put the public at risk. ICBC says that their data shows that there is no improved road safety outcomes from a second road test. I am skeptical of how that could possibly be measured, given that the requirement is a second road test.”

Lee says it will take time to see the results of the changes.

The province says implementation for the new rules is planned for early 2026. Lee adds that legal confusion may arise as the province transitions to a new set of rules, with some applicants still subject to the former rules.

—With files from Michael Williams