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 online or at an approved testing facility. If you’re under 18, you’ll need a parent or guardian to provide consent.

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 7N (Novice Licence)

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 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 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 Class 5 licence (with restrictions), by booking and passing a driving record assessment — a review of your history behind the wheel rather than taking another road test. Now, a clean record carries you through to the Class 5 licence, spending a final 12 months with a zero blood-alcohol and drug tolerance before every restriction lifts.

If you’re 25 or older, the path gets shorter, still. The Learner stage for new drivers in this age group is nine months, and the Novice stage is twelve months – 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 this process gets them to a full Class 5 licence faster.