ICBC announced starting October 19th drivers with Class 7 o 8 novice licenses and a clean record will not need a second road test to acquire the Class 5. (Luis Zablah / CHLY 101.7FM)

The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) has announced that starting October 19th, drivers with Class 7 or 8 novice licenses and a clean driving record will not need a second road test to acquire their Class 5.

British Columbia’s Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) was first introduced more than 25 years ago. ICBC said it was time to update the requirements to align with B.C. 's evolving roads and safety practices, joining the rest of Canada in removing the second road test. This leaves only Ontario as the only province with the second road test still in place. According to the province of B.C., the changes are intended to get new drivers more road experience to reduce crash risk.

Jeffrey Near, instructor and owner of the Vancouver Island Driving School, commented on the changes to the driving licensing process.

“The Class Five test is virtually the same driver's test that they take to get their N. So, if you passed it once, I'm pretty sure you're going to pass it again two years later. It was almost a something that was a waste of time to begin with, in my opinion.”

Near added that drivers will still have to maintain a clean driving record for at least 12 months before becoming eligible to remove their novice licence, noting that even a speeding ticket would reset that eligibility period until they complete a full year without any infractions.

ICBC states that the decision to remove the second road test was in-part to reduce barriers to licensing, specifically for drivers in rural, remote or Indigenous communities where access to road tests may be scarce.

Near gave his opinion on the removal of the second test for new drivers.

“I think it’s a good thing to get rid of the second test because the kids have already taken the same test and passed it when they got their new driver's licence. If you can pass it when you've only been driving for a year, then certainly you'd be able to pass it after having an extra two years of experience.”

He also believed the change is also likely to reduce pressure on the province’s road testing system, adding that many drivers currently wait several months to secure a testing appointment because of demand.

Drivers under 25 with a Class 7L learner’s licence must complete at least 12 months of supervised driving before taking the Class 7 road test. After earning their Class 7 new driver’s licence, they must hold it for a minimum of 25 months before becoming eligible for a Driving Record Assessment, or 18 months if they have completed an approved GLP course.

Drivers aged 25 and older must spend at least nine months with a Class 7L before taking the Class 7 road test. They are then required to hold their Class 7 licence for a minimum of 12 months with no suspensions or driving prohibitions before applying for a Driving Record Assessment.

Eligible drivers who pass the assessment will receive a Class 5 licence, with a 12 month restriction requiring zero blood alcohol and blood drug content while driving. Once that restriction period ends without any incidents, they will receive a full Class 5 licence.

Near said it will not change how he teaches his students in the future.

“I don't just teach the kids how to pass the driver's test. I teach all the important things about driving. For example, they don't make them merge onto a highway on a driver's test, but I'm certainly going to continue teaching that because these are all the things that keep you safe.”

Drivers eligible for a Class 5 upgrade with restrictions will receive a letter from ICBC confirming their eligibility. ICBC stated that any outstanding debts would affect the upgrade.

The second road test will officially be eliminated as of October 19th, 2026. If there was a second road test booked for or after the date, ICBC will automatically cancel it and email the appointees.

Further information on acquiring your driving records is available on the ICBC website.

Funding Note: This story was produced with funding support from the Local Journalism Initiative, administered by the Community Radio Fund of Canada.

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