IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT BRITISH COLUMBIA’S GRADUATED LICENSING PROGRAM

At 4 Seasons Driving School, we teach on-road instruction for Class 7(L), Class 7(N), and Class 5 licenses. We have compiled for your benefit, all the prerequisites for completing your driving test successfully. Read on to find useful information about British Columbia’s Graduated Licensing Program.

GRADUATED LICENSING PROGRAM

B.C.’s Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) is designed to reduce the number of crashes among new drivers. For you to get your Class 5 (full license), you will have to go through several steps. Under the GLP, drivers will slowly get more experienced, develop skill, and get competent with maneuvers that are required to be a defensive driver. You will have to pass the multiple-choice test for the Class 7 Learners, road test for Class 7 Novice and road test for Class 5 full license. If you are a safe driver and receive no driving prohibition, the GLP will take you 3 years to complete.

LEARNERS LICENSE (CLASS 7L)

The first license issued to new drivers after passing a knowledge test is a learner's license, with applicants required to meet a minimum age requirement of 16 years. In addition to the requirements you must pass the knowledge test and complete a vision and medical screening. The license is valid for a period of two years.

To prepare, you must read and study the Learn to Drive Smart textbook. This textbook is available on the ICBC website for read online, ICBC app, printable/downloadable PDF or you can pick up a copy at Service BC, located at 1044 5th Avenue, Prince George BC V2L 5G4. You can also prepare for your road test by taking the practice test available on ICBC’s website, and the road signs practice test.

Once you are adequately prepared, you must visit the driver licensing office (Service BC) and complete the knowledge test. To obtain your learner's license, you will need to correctly answer 40 out of 50 questions on the multiple-choice knowledge test. Upon passing the knowledge test, you will be issued a learner's license (Class 7L).

THINGS YOU WILL NEED FOR YOUR TEST

Primary and secondary identification
A custodial parent or legal guardian if you are under 19
The fees for the knowledge test and license
Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive

COST

Fee for knowledge test $15
Fee for License $10

DIDN’T PASS ON YOUR FIRST TRY?

Should you fail to pass on your first attempt, you may retake the test 7 days after your initial attempt and any additional attempts made thereafter.

CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS WITH YOUR CLASS 7L

You must have the red magnetic L sign on the back of your vehicle when driving
A supervisor aged 25+ with a valid Class 1-5 drivers license who is seated beside you
Zero blood alcohol content
Zero blood drug concentration
No use of hand-held or hands-free electronic devices while driving
Limit of 1 passenger in addition to the supervisor
No driving between 12am-5am
You must wait 12 months before you can take your Novice road test

** The Class 7L license has a validity period of 2 years. If it expires, you can renew your license by re-taking and passing the knowledge test. If your learner's expires, you re-take the test, and pass, you can book your road test immediately and will not have to wait another 12 months.

USEFUL TIPS

For driver's holding a Class 7L license, a 12-month waiting period is mandatory before taking the road test. However, booking the Class 7N road test is possible six months in advance of the eligible road test date. Therefore, if you have had your learner's license for six months, you can book your road test for the Class 7N, but the test itself cannot be taken until the 12-month waiting period has expired.

NOVICE LICENSE (CLASS 7N)

The next step is passing the road test to get your novice license (Class 7N). You must have had your learners license (Class 7L) for at least 1 year and have had at least 60 hours or more driving practice with a qualified supervisor. This test will assess if you’re competent to drive on your own. The road test takes about 20-25 minutes on the road. Upon passing the knowledge test, you will be issued a novice license (Class 7N).

THINGS YOU WILL NEED FOR TEST

Primary and secondary identification
The fees for the road test and new license
Valid insurance and registration documents
License plate number
A safe, clean, and reliable vehicle for the road test
Keyword you set up when you got your learners license, usually mother’s maiden name.

COST

Fee for road test $35
Fee for new license $75

WHAT YOU WILL BE TESTED ON:

The examiner will be testing you on 5 Global skills and your ability to see-think-do: Observation, Speed Control, Space Margins, Steering and Communication.

SKILLS YOU COULD BE ASKED TO DEMONSTRATE:

Pre-trip and hand signals
Intersection maneuvers (left turn, right turns, driving through)
General driving (driving straight, hills and curves)
Backing up in a straight line
Pulling over and stopping on the side of the road
Pulling out into traffic
Lane changes
Parking on a hill (uphill/downhill)
Parallel park
Stall park
3-point turn
Hazard perception (asked to identify hazards once while driving)
Cul-de-sac
Playground and school zones

CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS WITH YOUR CLASS 7N

You must have the green magnetic N sign on the back of your vehicle when driving
Zero blood alcohol content
Zero blood drug concentration
No use hand-held or hands-free electronic devices while driving
A maximum of one passenger is allowed to ride with you unless the passengers are your immediate family members (cousins are considered friends) or a supervisor aged 25+ with a valid Class 1-5 drivers license who is seated beside you.

DIDN’T PASS ON YOUR FIRST TRY?

After your first attempt, you can retake the test after 14 days
If you don’t pass the test the second time, you can retake the test after 30 days
If after 3 or more attempts you don’t pass, you can retake the test after 60 days

FULL LICENSE (CLASS 5)

The final stage of the Graduated Licensing Program requires you to take the Class 5 road test once you've been a Novice driver for 24 consecutive months without any driving prohibition. Successfully passing the test signifies the completion of the program and the issuance of your full-privilege driver's license. Having gained 2 years of driving experience with your Class 7N, you must now prove to the examiner that you possess the skills of a safe and well-experienced driver. The test lasts approximately 20-25 minutes, and upon passing, you will receive your full-privilege Class 5 license.

THINGS YOU WILL NEED FOR TEST

Primary and secondary identification
The fees for the road test and new license
Valid Insurance and registration documents
License plate number
A safe, clean, and reliable vehicle for the road test
Keyword you set up when you got your learners license, usually mother’s maiden name.

COST

Fee for the road test $50
Fee for the new license $17 or $75

**The fee is $17 if your current license will expire in more than 6 months from the date of the test or $75 if your current license expires in 6 months or less

WHAT YOU WILL BE TESTED ON:

The examiner will test you on the same 5 Global skills as the Class 7N: Observation, Speed control, Space Margins, Steering and Communication. However, since you’re a more experienced driver, the examiner will test you in environments that are more challenging than the Class 7 road test.

SKILLS YOU COULD BE ASKED TO DEMONSTRATE:

Pre-trip and hand signals
Intersection maneuvres (left turn, right turns, driving through)
General driving (driving straight, hills and curves)
Pulling over and stopping on the side of the road
Back up in a straight line
Parallel park
Pulling out into traffic
Lane changes
Parking on a hill (Uphill/Downhill)
Stall park
Merging on and off a highway or freeway
High-speed roadway
Hazard perception (asked to identify hazards twice while driving)
Playground and school zones
Roundabout

DIDN’T PASS ON YOUR FIRST TRY?

After your first attempt you can retake the test after 14 days
If you don’t pass the test the second time, you can retake the test after 30 days
If after 3 or more attempts you don’t pass, you can retake the test after 60 days

Once you have received your Class 5 full privilege license, all the GLP restrictions above no longer apply, there are no more tests, and you can drive without the N on the back of your vehicle.

THREE WAYS TO BOOK YOUR ROAD TEST

Book Online
Over the phone
Through a driving school

Our certified instructors bring extensive experience and knowledge to our driving school. Contact us if you are planning on taking your driving test.

778-675-PASS (7277)