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 full privilege license (Class 5), 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 7L, road test for Class 7N and road test for Class 5. 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 new drivers receive is a learner’s license (Class 7L). A driver must be 16 years or older to apply for a learner’s license.
To get your learner’s license, 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 ready, you must go to the driver licensing office and do a knowledge test. For you to get your learners license, you will need to get 40 out of 50 questions right on the multiple-choice knowledge test. Once you pass the knowledge test, you will be given 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 Class 7L License
- Glasses or contact lenses if you need them to drive
Cost
- Fee for knowledge test $15
- Fee for Learners License (Class 7L) $10
Didn’t Pass on Your First Try?
If you didn’t pass on your first try, you can retake the test after 7 days of your first attempt and any other attempts made afterwards.
Conditions and Restrictions with Your Class 7L
- You must have the red magnetic L sign on the back of the vehicle you drive
- A Supervisor age 25+ who holds a valid Class 1-5 driver’s license. They must sit in the passenger seat with you
- Zero blood alcohol content
- No hand-held or hands-free electronic devices
- Limit of 1 passenger in addition to the supervisor
- No driving between 12am-5am
- You must wait 12 months before you can take your road test and graduate to the next level
- The Class 7L is valid for 2 years. If it expires, you can renew your license by re-taking and passing the knowledge test - ** If your Class 7L expires, you re-take the test, and pass, you will not have to wait another 12 months before you can take the road test
Useful Tips
With a Class 7L you must wait 12 months before you can take your road test; however you can book the Class 7N road test 3 months in advance. This means if you’ve had your learner’s license for 9 months now, you can book your road test for the Class 7N, however you will have to still wait until the 12 months have elapsed to take the test.
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 45 minutes. Once you pass, you will be given your novice license (Class 7N)
Things You Will Need for Test
- Primary and secondary identification
- The fees for the road test and Class 7N license
- Valid insurance and registration documents
- License plate number
- A safe, clean, and reliable vehicle for the road test
- Keyword (Password you set up when you got your learners license), usually mother’s maiden name.
Cost
- Fee for the road test $35
- Fee for Novice License (Class 7N) $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)
- Starting on a hill
- Parallel park and reverse stall park
- 3-point turn
- Hazard perception (asked to identify hazards on the side of the road)
- 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 the vehicle you drive
- Zero blood alcohol content
- No hand-held or hands-free electronic devices
- Unlimited immediate family members
- Must have a supervisor age 25+ with a valid Class 1-5 driver license when you have more than 1 passenger that isn’t immediate family
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 attempts you don’t pass, you can retake the test after 60 days
Full Privilege (Class 5)
The last step in the Graduated Licensing Program If you have held your Class 7N for at least 2 years without a driving prohibition, you are now eligible to take the Class 5 road test. Passing the Class 5 road test will mean you have completed the Graduated Licensing Program (GLP) and get your full-privilege driver’s license. With the 2 years of driving experience with your Class 7N, you will now have to show the examiner that you’re now a safe and well-experienced driver. The road test takes about 45 minutes. Once you pass, you will get your full privilege Class 5 license.
Things You Will Need for Test
- Primary and secondary identification
- Fee for the road test and Class 5 License
- Valid Insurance and registration documents
- License plate number
- A safe, clean, and reliable vehicle for the road test
- Keyword (password you set up when you got your learners license), usually mother’s maiden name.
Cost
- Fee for the road test $50
- Fee for the Class 5 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
- Pulling out into traffic
- Lane changes
- Parking on a hill (Uphill/Downhill)
- Starting on a hill
- Reverse 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 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.
