What is the Graduated Licensing Program?

What Are the Graduated Licensing Program Stages?

Getting Your Class 7l (learner’s Licence)

Getting your Class 7L learner’s licence is an exciting milestone! New drivers start by obtaining a Class 7L on or after their 16th birthday by passing a knowledge test and vision screening test at an ICBC driver licensing office. If you’re under 19, you’ll need a parent or guardian to provide consent — though as of October 19, 2026, ICBC is lowering that threshold to 18.

During the learner’s licence stage, ICBC recommends 60 hours of behind-the-wheel practice time with your qualified supervisor. This practice time, in conjunction with taking lessons from a driver training professional, will help new drivers to build a strong foundation of skills and prepare to become a safe, confident driver.

By completing the Graduated Licensing Program, drivers will gain expert coaching-based training, engaged learning, and a unique reporting system that allows you to easily track your progress. Promoting safe driving is key with our ICBC approved driver Instructors!

Getting Your Class 7l (learner’s Licence)

Currently: Class 7L drivers of all ages must have a minimum 1 year of practice with a qualified supervisor, prior to being eligible to take their first road test. Upon successful completion of the road test, drivers are issued a Class 7N (novice) licence.

Effective October 19, 2026: For those under 25 years of age, a minimum 1 year of practice with a qualified supervisor is required for Class 7L drivers prior to being eligible to take their first road test. For those 25 years of age and older, a minimum of 9 months of practice with a qualified supervisor is required for Class 7L drivers prior to being eligible to take their first road test. Upon successful completion of the road test for all ages, drivers are issued a Class 7N (novice) licence.

During your road test, you can expect to be evaluated on your driving skills, ensuring you know and understand the rules and regulations of the road, and that you can drive safely and independently.

Getting Your Full Class 5 Licence with full privileges

Once you pass the road test, you’ll receive a new, reflective green N sign to replace your red L. It works the same as the L does — it must be displayed on the back of your car while you’re driving. For drivers under 25, two years of safe driving (or 18 months, if you’ve completed an ICBC-approved GLP course) gets you ready to move up to your full Class 5 licence. Until October 19, 2026, that means booking and passing a second road test. After that date, ICBC is replacing the exit test with a driving record assessment — a review of your history behind the wheel rather than a new test to book — so a clean record carries you through to Class 5. Either way, you’ll say goodbye to your L and N signs for good, though new Class 5 drivers will spend one final 12 months with a zero blood-alcohol and drug tolerance before every graduated licensing restriction lifts.

If you’re 25 or older, the path gets shorter still once the changes take effect. Starting October 19, 2026, the Learner stage for new drivers in this age group drops to nine months instead of twelve, and the Novice stage to twelve months instead of twenty-four — no GLP course needed to get there. ICBC’s reasoning is straightforward: drivers who start later in life tend to have lower crash rates than teens and drivers in their early twenties, so the Program gets them to a full Class 5 licence faster.

**** Effective October 19, 2026 drivers with a Class 7N and a clean driving record will not take a second road test to get a class 5 licence with restrictions. Instead, these drivers will be subject to a Driving Record Assessment, where they must demonstrate safe driving to be eligible to upgrade their licence, followed by a 12 month restriction period. Until the changes come into effect, drivers can still choose to take a road test to get a Class 5 licence. Any second road tests (for Class 5) scheduled on or after October 19, 2026 will be cancelled by ICBC. ****